The Whiskey Rebellion

The Federalists in Charge

Washington Retires

• 1796 – Washington decides 2 terms in office is enough, wants to return to his estate: Mount Vernon

• Final concerns: warned against (1) political disagreements that could weaken the nation and (2) long term foreign treaties that might work against U.S. interests later.

• Political differences continue: Americans divided over how country should run… disagreed over interpreting the Constitution and economic policy

• Growth of political parties: differences lead to development of separate political parties - group of people that tries to promote its ideas and influence government… – Democratic-Republican Party vs. Federalist Party

John Adams’ Administration

• 1796 - 1st election with 2 parties. Adams (Federalist) vs. Jefferson (Democratic-Republican)… – Adams won and Jefferson became Vice-President

• Problems with France: tensions over French looting American ships. Adams sent diplomats to Paris, where Americans were told that French would only negotiate if money was given. Americans refused. – This came to be known as the XYZ Affair.

• Alien and Sedition Acts: laws passed in 1798. – One discriminated against immigrants (aliens), making

waiting period longer and making it legal to deport suspicious immigrants during war time.

– The other law outlawed stirring up a rebellion against the government (sedition).

• Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions: Madison and Jefferson look for ways to fight these laws. – Theory of states’ rights (states have certain rights the

Federal government cannot overrule)… – Principle of nullification (state could cancel act of Congress

that was unconstitutional).