The Origin of American Politics

Answer these in your journal to begin today…

• Are political parties good for democracy? Why or why not?

Review: Ratifying the Constitution

• At the Constitutional Convention, two factions emerged.

• Faction = A group of people connected by a shared belief or opinion

– These were…• Federalists

– Wanted the Constitution passed.

• Anti-Federalists– Against the ratifying the Constitution

Review: Federalists

• Who?– Well educated and propertied class. Most live in large

cities/towns.• Positions

– In favor of strong national government– Articles of Confederation were weak and ineffective.– Strong national government needed to control

uncooperative states.– “Men of experience and talent” should govern the

nation.– National government would naturally protect the rights

of the people

Review: Anti-Federalists

• Who?– States’ rights advocates, frontiersmen, poor farmers,

ill-educated and illiterate, debtors

• Positions:– In favor of a weak national government.– Articles of Confederation were a good plan.– Constitution favored the wealthy.– Strong national government threatened the rights of

the common people.– Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights

Origins: Washington’s First Term

• Elected in 1789 after Constitution is ratified.– Chooses cabinet

• Alex Hamilton

(Federalist)– Sec’t of Treasury

• Thomas Jefferson

(Anti-Federalist)– Sec’t of State

• Henry Knox

(Federalist)– Sec’t of War

Conflicting Ideas:Hamilton vs. Jefferson

Hamilton-Strong central gov’t-Limited suffrage-Pro industry-Support in North-east

Jefferson-Small Fed gov’t-Widespread suffrage-Pro agriculture-Support in South, West

The Big Issues!

• What are the big issues that divide our Political Parties today?

-Think of at least two for each category:

• Domestic Policy

• Foreign Relations

• Powers of the Federal Government

Domestic Policy

• Hamilton’s Economic Plan – Gov’t is deep in debt.

Why?• American Revolution!• Fed gov’t assumes debt.

– Build revenue by Tariffs, taxes.

» One of these taxes is on Whiskey…

– National Bank• Funded by the gov’t and

private investors• Madison/Jefferson argue

against Bank because Bank not specifically mentioned in Constitution.

– “strict interpretation”

First National Bank Building, Philadelphia, PA

A Compromise…

• A Deal with the South– Hamilton suggests

moving Fed. capitol south.

• “District of Columbia” is planned on the Potomac River in VA/MD.

Power of the Federal Government

• Whiskey Rebellion– Response to tax

passed by Congress on production of whiskey.

• Angry frontier farmers tar and feather tax collectors.

• Hamilton uses incident to test new militia, leads “troops” into battle to crush revolt.

Upset farmers revolt over a tax on the production of whiskey!

Foreign Relations

• French Revolution• Starts with same goals

as the US Revolution.• Treaty of 1778 ties USA

to Royal French Government.

Who should the USA support?

– Reactions• Feds = Support British

(monarchies)• Repubs = Support new

French gov’tThe “Reign of Terror”

The USA Reacts

• Washington officially declares the USA neutral in 1793.

The Federalists Lose Power: Foreign Relations

– Citizen Genet• French send Edmond Genet to rally American

support. Instead of following diplomatic protocol, Genet tries to rally American people directly.

– Insults/embarrasses Washington administration.

– Jay’s Treaty• John Jay gets Britain to vacate forts in the

Northwest Territory, but they won’t agree to stop impressing US ships

– Upsets colonial merchants

The Presidency of John Adams (Federalist)

• Both sides become more entrenched.– Adams lacked the “prestige” of

Washington• Was constantly criticized by Anti-

Federalists.

– The Alien and Sedition Acts• Alien Act

– Extended citizenship requirement to 14 years

– Most immigrants were farmers, and therefore Anti-Federalists.

• Sedition Act (of 1798)– Made it illegal to criticize government

officials.

Is this Constitutional?

Election of 1800

Washington:– “(A system of political

parties) agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, and foments occasionally riot and insurrection.”

Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

Election of 1800Jefferson wins!

After this elections, Anti-Federalists begin calling themselves “Republicans,” though historians refer to them as “Jeffersonian Republicans.”