Foner Chapter 8

Securing the Republic: 1790-1815

http://profcivitella.wordpress.com/

Ratification of the U.S. Constitution

• (1787) After months of heated debate between federalists and anti-federalists re: the Constitution, the argument endso (1788) New Hampshire becomes 9th state to

ratifyo Good-bye Articles of Confederation, hello

Constitution

• (1789) With a new government in place, Congress must elect a leader of the executive brancho George Washington receives 69 out of 69

votes becoming America's 1st president

Washington's Presidency 1789-1797

• Unchartered territoryo The precedent established by the 1st

president would be enormous

• Washington's cabinet included Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state, Alexander Hamilton of the treasury

• Washington believed in a strongnational government; supported Hamilton's federalist economic plans; anti-political parties

Washington's Presidency 1789-1797

History Channel's The President's (start-13:14)

The Age of Passion: Political Parties

• Towards the end of Washington's first term the political/ideological divide between Hamilton and Jefferson (and their associates) grew o "Civilized Societies would be divided into different Sects,

Factions, & interests, as they happened to consist of rich & poor, debtors & creditors, the landed, the manufacturing, the commercial interests, the inhabitants of this district or that district, the followers of this political leader or that political leader, the disciples of this religious Sect or that religious Sect. In all cases where a majority are united by a common interest or passion, the rights of the minority are in danger. What motives are to restrain them?"

-James Madison (on why political parties were harmful)

The Age of Passion: Hamilton v. Jefferson

• Both were main figures in creating the American political landscapeo Federalists v. Republicanso both had differing opinions re: the nation’s

path E.g., Jefferson thought America’s success

was via westward expansion and farming; Hamilton thought it was via manufacturing and commerce

E.g., Jefferson put his trust in the people as governors; Hamilton distrusted popular will

E.g., Jefferson had a strict view of the Constitution; Hamilton had a loose view

The Age of Passion: Hamilton's Economic Plan

Hamilton's Economic Plan1. Amass wealth/establish credit

o people would loan the American government money; national government would assume responsibility of all war debt (The Compromise of 1790—over dinner Jefferson agreed to the national government assuming all debt in exchange for the national capital moving south)

2. Creation of a national banko issue money, lend money, hold money

3. Tax whiskey and imported goodo create revenue and promote domestic production

The Age of Passion: Hamilton's Economic Plan

Reaction to Hamilton's Plan

• Jefferson was very much against Hamilton's plano unconstitutional expansion of federal

authority (i.e., nowhere is a national bank mentioned in the Constitution)

o served northern, commercial interests (over southern, farmers)

o those who were able to invest in the United States would benefit greatly (whereas the average/poor American would not)

The Age of Passion: The French Revolution

• (1789) When the revolution broke out in France nearly all Americans were in supporto people fighting against an tyranny

• The revolution quickly became more extreme and this radical turn created a split among Americanso King Louis 16th was beheaded; public violence (Reign of

Terror—thousands of suspected enemies of the revolution were murdered); fighting for the rights of women and the poor The Federalists (e.g., Hamilton, Washington) were

against the revolution as it was becoming too uncontrolled/anarchy; supported Britain in their fight against the French (British were civilized and a potential financial partner)

The Republicans (e.g., Jefferson, Madison) were in support of the revolution as it was an extension of a global republican struggle and seeked to end aristocratic dominance

The Age of Passion: The French Revolution

• Despite the fact that both the British and the French asked for American help, President Washington adopted a policy of neutralityo Federalists wanted to help Britain, Republicans Franceo America continued to trade with both sides

Britain began attacking American ships, confiscating goods, and forcing kidnapped sailors to serve on their ships

• As a result, Chief Justice John Jay negotiated a treaty with Britaino Jay's Treaty—an agreement between America and Britain in

which the British would abandon posts in the west (something that should have been done after the Revolutionary War anyway) and the United States would grant them favorable trading status (put their interests above the French) passed in the Senate 20 to 10 (exactly 2/3 that was

required) the treaty was seen as a failure for the United States and

further enraged Republicans

The Age of Passion: The Whiskey Rebellion

• In order to raise revenue, Hamilton taxed whiskeyo farmers were the ones most affected as they distilled

and sold whiskeyo (1794) in Western Pennsylvania a group of angry

farmers attacked the home of a tax collector—The Whiskey Rebellion

o In order to stop the uprising in a more efficient manner than uprisings of the past (e.g., Bacon's, Shay's), Washington sent 13,000 federal troops to PA uprising over

• The Federalists viewed the end of the rebellion as a success--federal army keeping the peace; whereas the Republicans saw use of a federal army as dangerous

The Age of Passion: The Election of 1796

• With Washington stepping down after serving two terms, winning both times by unanimous vote, the presidency was now up for grabso Federalists v. Democratic-Republicans

Federalists were calling Republicans French agents, anarchists, traitors

Republicans were calling Federalists monarchists, corrupt, seeking a pro-British aristocracy

o would be first ever election where political candidates would run for office as members of a specific party

The Age of Passion: The Election of 1796

• John Adams (f) v. Thomas Jefferson (dr)o both parties turned to the people for support

created pamphlets and posters; held rallies

• John Adams (71 votes) beats out Thomas Jefferson (68 votes)o under the rules at the

timerunner-up became vice president (Jefferson)

Adams' Presidency 1797-1801

• Adams had large shoes to fill and lingering foreign and domestic issues to addresso Washington was perhaps the most revered and loved

American in history; relationship with France; growing political differences; vice president was someone with complete opposite beliefs

• (1797) XYZ Affair—Adams sent diplomats to negotiate with France but the French required a loan and a bribe before negotiations could start; Adams rebuffed their offer and made their request known to the public ("x, y, z" signify the names of the 3 French officials)o this incident was good for the Federalist agenda

American support of France weakened

American-British relations became even stronger

Congress/Adams passed new taxes to help grow the national military

Adams' Presidency 1797-1801

• (1798) Alien and Sedition Actso Alien Act—allowed government to deport

anyone they deemed "dangerous" government viewed "foreigners" as a threat to

national securityo Sedition Act—persecution of any assembly

or publication critical of the government government (i.e., Federalists) wanted to stop

criticism• "unbounded thirst for ridiculous pomp, foolish

adulation, and self avarice" [caused him to be imprisoned]

-rep. Matthew Lyon (VT) (criticizing Adams)

o These acts were good for the Republican agenda "reign of witches" -Jefferson

Election of 1800

• John Adams (f) v. Thomas Jefferson (dr)o DR's won both houses of Congresso Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr both

received the same amount of votes for president (73) the tie would go to the House of Representatives vote after vote neither man received a majority

• Hamilton eventually steps in to work out a plan where the worser of two evils, Jefferson, would receive a majority of the votes

Jefferson wins (10-2)• Burr would later kill Hamilton in a duel (not directly related

to Hamilton blocking Burr)

• The Adams presidency weakened the Federalistso Federalists began to jump ship and swim over

to the Republicans

Jefferson's Presidency 1801-1809

• Jefferson wants to limit the role of national government in American lifeo leaving Americans “free to regulate their own

pursuits”o pardoned those imprisoned by the Sedition Acto abolished the Whiskey Taxo preached friendship to all nations, allegiance to

none (like the Federalists had with Britain)o paid off part of the national debto turned focus away from building up the

army/navyo reduced the number of government employees

Jefferson's Presidency 1801-1809

History Channel's The President's (21:25-3040)

Jefferson's Presidency 1801-1809

• (1803) Marbury v. Madisono on John Adams’ last night as president he appointed several

DC justices (midnight judges); Madison, the new Secretary of State refused to sign the paperwork, making all Adams’ appointments null

the judges sued (one being William Marbury) to keep their jobs and the case was heard by the Supreme Court

• Importance?o Supreme Court became chief interpreter of the Constitution

and could now declare acts of the Legislative and Executive branches unconstitutional

o the principle of judicial review is born—judging whether a law/act violates the Constitution or other basic principles of justice

o precedent is set by this case to ensure that government acts comply with the United States Constitution.

o became an equal part of government (alongside executive and legislative)

Jefferson's Presidency 1801-1809

• (1803) The Louisiana Purchase—Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon of France for $15 million; doubling the size of the United States o France needed money quickly to fund their

war; Jefferson wanted to secure the Port of New Orleans, open up more farming territory “(farmers) were the chosen people of God”

o Jefferson goes against his own principles—strict interpretation of the Constitution—when he purchases land from a foreign power (this isn’t mentioned in the Constitution)

Jefferson's Presidency 1801-1809

Jefferson's Presidency 1801-1809

• Britain and France continued fighting o international law stated that neutral nations were

allowed to trade nonmilitary goods with countries at war By 1806 both Britain and France were blocking the United

States from trading with each other

• Embargo of 1807—a ban on American ships sailing for foreign ports, created by Jefferson, in an effort to stop American ships from being captured, destroyed, make both France and Britain realize their need for American goodso Jefferson once again goes against his principles of “weak

national government” o by 1808 American exports dropped by 80%; neither

France or Britain noticed negative effect on the America economy, Jefferson creates

the (1809) Non-Intercourse Act—banning trade with Britain and France only

Madison’s Presidency 1809-1817

• James Madison (dr) comes into office facing serious issues: British/French war; poor economy due to Embargo/Non-Intercourse Act

• (1810) Macon’s Bill No. 2—free trade would resume, but if either Britain or France interfered the president could reinstate the Embargo/Non-Intercourse Actso France stood down, Britain continued to interfere

Madison reimposed the embargo on Britaino Britain’s continued interference enraged certain politicians

(Henry Clay) and the cries for war began (War Hawks) the War Hawks wanted to defend American honor against Britain;

annexation of Canada and Florida

Madison’s Presidency 1809-1817

• War of 1812—a war between America and Britain/western Native Americans for the rights to American land and open seaso in hindsight, declaring war on Britain was a very

dangerous decision Britain had a stronger military/economy than America (but

was still preoccupied with France)

• America was forced to fight a two front war: Native Americans in the west, British along the eastern coast/New Orleanso with neither side making any headway/wanting to

continue fighting, the two sides signed the (1814) Treaty of Gent officially ending the war with no changes in land/no

rules being created re: shipping/trade

The end of the Federalist Party

• The Federalists legacy:o driving force behind the ratification of the U.S. Constitution o authored some of the most important documents in American

history (the Federalist Papers) o established America’s economic identity o in power the first 12 years of America’s post-Constitution

existence

• (1814) Hartford Convention—a meeting of prominent Federalists that took place in Hartford, Co to discuss the future of their partyo domination of the federal government by the Republicanso declining influence as western states entered the Uniono expanding agricultural American vision o questionable theory—New England wanted to secede from the

Union o called for Constitutional amendments (e.g., remove 3/5th Clause)

• Due to the (perceived) failures of the Adams’ administration, combined with Republican presidential/congressional reign for 16 years, the Federalist party eventually becomes the minority and fizzles out

Chapter 8 Take-Away’s

• Formal American political parties are formed during Washington’s presidency—Federalists/Hamiltonians v. Republicans/Jeffersonianso Federalists want strong national government; have loose

interpretation of Constitutiono Republicans want weak national government; have strict

interpretation of Constitution

• Hamilton’s economic plan wanted to establish credit/raise revenue by taxing whiskey and importso leads to Whiskey Rebellion

• Adams’ (1798) Alien & Sedition Acts hurt the Federalist partyo changing of the guard—Federalists lose power to

Republicans

• (1803) Marbury v. Madison leads to judicial reviewo Supreme Court becomes equal part of government

Chapter 8 Take-Away’s

• (1803) Louisiana Purchase doubles America’s lando helps Jefferson’s westward expansion/pro farming

platform

• Jefferson’s (1807/1809) trade embargos hurt economyo exports decrease by 80%

• The War of 1812 was uneventful o no land was exchanged; no new terms re: trade/shipping

• The Federalist party fizzled out towards the end of Madison’s presidency (1815ish)

Why should I care about this chapter?

• Formal political parties are created and their ideals shaped o the same argument that started between Hamilton’s Federalists

and Jefferson’s Republicans is currently going on—strong or weak national government—as is the idea of “my political views are right, yours are wrong”

• Political campaigning is created o the same types of campaigning, albeit on a much larger scale,

occurs today (e.g., “our policy is good, theirs bad”)

• “Thank you, Jefferson!”—every person who has ever been to Mardi Graso Louisiana Purchase opened up westward expansion (consequently

allowed for Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Pimp my Ride)

• Marbury v. Madison makes sure that Congress and the president are kept in check and help interpret a document created nearly 250 years ago