America!

America!The Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams

First President of the United StatesDelegates of the Electoral College unanimously elected George Washington as the first president in 1789.During this time the runner up became the Vice President, thus John Adams was our first Vice President. His view of the position - "My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived." Washington sets precidentsEstablish a cabinet- body of department heads who serve as the Presidents key advisors and representative in certain areas.

First CabinetVice President John AdamsSecretary of State Thomas JeffersonSecretary of War Henry KnoxSecretary of Treasury Alexander HamiltonAttorney General Edmond Randolf (We have 15 today)

Hamilton's Economic PlanHamiltons job as treasurer was to set in order the nations finances and stabilize the nations economy.He was a firm believer in a strong central government and favored this new republic to be led by well-educated elite.

Hamiltons Economic PlanAt this time the nation was deep in debt (Revolutionary War) and the value of the new currency was low.

The Plan Take on state debtsTo raise revenue tax whiskey and implement tariffs.Tariffs would not only raise revenue but also protect businesses here in America.Establish a national bankBank of the United States

The DebateHamiltonJefferson & The SouthIf the national government took on states debt, then creditors would have an incentive to support the national govt. (to get their money)Believed they had Constitutional right to form a national bank under the necessary and proper clause

South almost paid off their debts now feared they would have to keep paying to pay off northern debt.Believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution; govt. only held powers stated in the Constitution. (no national bank)Feared imposing tariffs would encourage other countries to do the same on their goods

District of ColumbiaTo gain support from the south for his economic plan, Hamilton suggested to move the nations capital to the south.This idea pleased many southerners, including Madison and Jefferson, believing that if the capital is in the south, then it would be more sympathetic to southern needs.Thus Washington DC is born!

Who was the only president to never live there?

Political Parties are BornThe basic beliefs between Hamilton and Jefferson were so large, that it split the cabinet and fueled growing divisions in national politics.The Key Issue: the power and size of the federal government in relation to state and local governments.

Political Parties are BornFederalistsDemocratic - RepublicansStrong national governmentFear of mob ruleLoose interpretation of the Constitution Favored a national bankEconomy based on manufacturing and shippingSupporters: lawyers, merchants, manufacturers, clergyLeaders: Alexander Hamilton and John Adams

Limited national governmentFear of rule by one person or a powerful fewStrict interpretation of the ConstitutionOpposed a national bankEconomy based on farmingSupporters: farmers, trades peopleLeaders: Thomas Jefferson and James MadisonWhiskey RebellionMost whiskey producers during this time were small frontier farmers. Most would take their excess corn and distill it into whiskey!

Whiskey RebellionFarmers in western Pennsylvania refused to pay the tax.Hamiltons whiskey taxThey beat up federal marshals in Pittsburgh and threatened to secede from the Union.

Whiskey RebellionWashington organized a military force that marched into Pennsylvania and halted the resistance.Showed that the new government had the power to enforce its laws.However, many started to view Hamiltons form of government as too tyrannical, thus flocking over to Jefferson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lxF0-HAhs8 The French RevolutionAfter beheading their monarch, France declared war on all monarchies including Great Britain.What should the U.S. do?1. We are a new nation already struggling to support ourselves economically.2. The French helped us in our Revolution. Also against monarchy

The French RevolutionThis issue also further separated the political parties.Federalists wanted to support the British while Jeffersonian Republicans wanted to side with the French.George Washington decided that the new nation could simply not afford it.Made a Proclamation of Neutrality U.S would support neither side.ResultThomas Jefferson, already at odds with Hamilton and his policies, decided to resign his position as Secretary of State. Despite our declared neutrality, England intercepted US ships believed to be bound for France. This hurt the USs ability to operate effectively on the high seas.

John Jays TreatyJohn Jay went to London to settle a few disputes with the British, came back with a treaty that many believed heavily favored the British and the French viewed it as an alliance. British left the forts around the Great Lakes, however they could continue the fur trade in the area.US promised to pay private prewar debts to British merchants US granted favored trading status to England.

Presidential Election of 1796Washington decided to retire to Mount Vernon rather than seek a third term as President.Because Washington only served two terms, Presidents following him serve up to two terms. (Until Roosevelt anyway)

Washingtons Farewell Address:Stated he was not running for a 3rd TermWarned about political parties and foreign involvement. Adams vs. JeffersonJohn Adams wins by only 3 electoral votes.Thomas Jefferson is therefore his Vice President.While Adams and Jefferson were close friends during the Revolutionary war, their current political beliefs created a major divide between them.

XYZ Affair The French were very upset with Jays Treaty and started seizing American ships.In order to improve French relations, Adams sent 3 diplomats to France.

XYZ AffairThe plan was for these delegates to meet with the French foreign minister, Talleyrand. Instead, three low-level officials met them and demanded a $250,000 bribe as payment to see Talleyrand, and stated that France was not responsible for damages done by French privateers. This was a slap in the face to America.John Adams referred to these men as X,Y, and Z. Therefore the whole incident became known as the XYZ Affair.

XYZ AffairThe XYZ Affair provoked a wave of anti-French feeling within America and most wanted war. In 1798, Congress created a navy department and authorized American ships to seize French vessels.While never officially declaring war, for the next two years a naval war raged between France and the United States.

Alien and Sedition ActsDuring this time many Federalists feared that French agents were everywhere, plotting to overthrow the government. Therefore new arrivals were viewed with suspicion, especially those who held French sentiments. What didnt help the situation was that the majority of people who lashed out at the Adams administration, for being too pro-British, were mostly foreign born. Alien and Sedition ActsIn response, Congress passed a series of laws known as the Alien and Sedition Acts. Government can arrest any foreigner that seems untrustworthy Requirement for American citizenship went from 5 years to 14 years residence. Once they become a citizen then you can vote.

In the words of a FederalistThere is no need to invite hordes of Wild Irishmen, nor the turbulent and disorderly of all the world, to come here with a basic view to distract our tranquillity."

Sedition Act - Fines and imprisonment could be used against those who "write, print, utter, or publish . . . any false, scandalous and malicious writing" against the government.

Virginia and Kentucky ResolutionsTo the Jeffersonian Republicans, this was a clear violation of freedom of speech. Both Madison and Jefferson wrote resolutions that were adopted by Virginia and Kentucky. Both asserted the principal of nullification.States had the right to nullify any act of Congress that they deemed unconstitutional. Virginia and Kentucky ResolutionsNo other state adopted similar declarations.However this debate over states rights versus federal authority would continue up to the Civil War.

The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in State governments are numerous and indefinite.