Politics in the early Politics in the early American Republic American Republic

Mahogany Mathis Mahogany Mathis

When you think of early America , When you think of early America , what comes to mind? what comes to mind?

Maybe white wigs and old men. Maybe white wigs and old men. Benjamin Franklin ? Slavery ? The Benjamin Franklin ? Slavery ? The Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence maybe ?maybe ?

All those are elements of the early All those are elements of the early republic. The thing about it is it is republic. The thing about it is it is much deeper than that.much deeper than that.

Early America was and is the Early America was and is the foundation for present day America. foundation for present day America. It shaped the culture of today.It shaped the culture of today.

What I want to explain is a topic very What I want to explain is a topic very few people go into detail about . few people go into detail about .

Dare I say ?Dare I say ?

The dreaded word …… !The dreaded word …… !

POLITICSPOLITICS ! ! (And the early parties of (And the early parties of

course)course)

Understanding the topic

In order to understand the early political system of America , you have to understand exactly how new everything was to the Americans.

Some key termsSome key terms

In order to get this there are some In order to get this there are some things you should know if you don’t things you should know if you don’t already. If you do just click continue .already. If you do just click continue .

Parties

Federalist

Republic

State rights

Federal Government

Continue…..

Click the bolt to go back to this slide. Click continue when finished.

Parties? ( no dancing Parties? ( no dancing involved)involved)

So in our government there are these So in our government there are these groups of people who have the same groups of people who have the same ideas and same morals. They form ideas and same morals. They form something called a party . In early something called a party . In early America this wasn’t heard of. New America this wasn’t heard of. New things during this time usually came things during this time usually came under serious fire ! under serious fire !

Federalist Federalist

These people believed that the states These people believed that the states should have little rights, meaning the should have little rights, meaning the big government could do anything big government could do anything thing they wanted . And they said, thing they wanted . And they said, “the checks and balances in the new “the checks and balances in the new constitution would safeguard the constitution would safeguard the people’s liberties.” people’s liberties.”

RepublicRepublic

A republic is part the politics series . A republic is part the politics series . A republic is when the people, or A republic is when the people, or most of them , have supreme control most of them , have supreme control over the government and offices of over the government and offices of state are electedstate are elected

State RightsState Rights These are rights that aren’t delegated These are rights that aren’t delegated

by the federal government . This by the federal government . This means that the federal government means that the federal government can’t tell a state it MUST do can’t tell a state it MUST do something, it can impose a penalty or something, it can impose a penalty or an incentive , but never can it say you an incentive , but never can it say you must. This is unconstitutional. must. This is unconstitutional. Meaning it goes against what the Meaning it goes against what the constitution says. ( 10constitution says. ( 10thth amendment ) amendment )

Federal GovernmentFederal Government

The federal government is the The federal government is the national government of the national government of the constitutional republicconstitutional republic

These two guysThese two guys

So there was this one guy, his name was Thomas So there was this one guy, his name was Thomas Jefferson , he believed in states rights and always Jefferson , he believed in states rights and always had conflicting views with this other man Alexander had conflicting views with this other man Alexander Hamilton.Hamilton.

Let’s talk a little about Hamilton …Let’s talk a little about Hamilton …

So Hamilton was basically the snob of all snobs. No one So Hamilton was basically the snob of all snobs. No one really liked him because he was constantly sticking really liked him because he was constantly sticking his nose in the affairs of all the other bureaus of the his nose in the affairs of all the other bureaus of the new government “ suggesting “ how things could new government “ suggesting “ how things could and should be done . and should be done .

Alexander Hamilton was the Treasury secretary under Alexander Hamilton was the Treasury secretary under the president George Washington. He was a brilliant the president George Washington. He was a brilliant man , when it came to numbers. But he has been man , when it came to numbers. But he has been deemed , “ The father of the National Debt “. His idea deemed , “ The father of the National Debt “. His idea was that the federal government would take was that the federal government would take everyone's debt including it’s own [which totaled everyone's debt including it’s own [which totaled about $75 million ] and then he imposed a tariff of about $75 million ] and then he imposed a tariff of about 8% on the value of dutiable imports in order about 8% on the value of dutiable imports in order to acquire revenue for the Fed. Government.to acquire revenue for the Fed. Government.

Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton

Hamilton continued…Hamilton continued…

To top his plan off he wanted to create a bank of the united To top his plan off he wanted to create a bank of the united states. states.

People such as Thomas Jefferson & his Jeffersonian group saw People such as Thomas Jefferson & his Jeffersonian group saw this as unconstitutional and unnecessary, but in the long this as unconstitutional and unnecessary, but in the long run Hamilton won that argument and the bank was created run Hamilton won that argument and the bank was created in 1791.in 1791.

Yes he did revive the state of economy in 18Yes he did revive the state of economy in 18thth century century America. America.

But he also made a few rivals as well ! But he also made a few rivals as well !

One that is of great importance !One that is of great importance !

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson Future 3Future 3rdrd president of the United States of America president of the United States of America

Founding Father Founding Father 11stst secretary of the state secretary of the state

-United States ambassador to France -United States ambassador to France May ,1785 – December , 1793 May ,1785 – December , 1793

-Delegate of the Congress of the Confederation -Delegate of the Congress of the Confederation November 1783 – May 1784 November 1783 – May 1784

-2-2ndnd governor of Virginia governor of Virginia June 1775 – September 1776June 1775 – September 1776

Plantation owner ( yes, he owned slaves)Plantation owner ( yes, he owned slaves)I could go on …. ! I could go on …. !

And all around awesome !And all around awesome !

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson

A bit about JeffersonA bit about Jefferson Thomas Jefferson believed in States rights . He also Thomas Jefferson believed in States rights . He also

believed in an agrarian style government , him being a believed in an agrarian style government , him being a planter himself. He didn’t believe in all that business and planter himself. He didn’t believe in all that business and legislating. Just simply , he believed in the people as the legislating. Just simply , he believed in the people as the center of it all. He also believed the government shouldn’t center of it all. He also believed the government shouldn’t be, “ fitted to a nation , as much as a coat to the be, “ fitted to a nation , as much as a coat to the individual” , as part of a Alex Hamilton quote says. No he individual” , as part of a Alex Hamilton quote says. No he felt more as if the government should be more of a parent. felt more as if the government should be more of a parent. Who let’s there children make up their minds and intervene Who let’s there children make up their minds and intervene when necessary.when necessary.

Yes Jefferson was a Democratic-Republican , and believed Yes Jefferson was a Democratic-Republican , and believed in the strict interpatation of the Constitution.in the strict interpatation of the Constitution.

Democratic-RepublicansDemocratic-Republicans When you see that term , Democratic-Republicans, you might When you see that term , Democratic-Republicans, you might

think. Well wait , don’t they hate each other? Back in the 18think. Well wait , don’t they hate each other? Back in the 18thth century it was different Dem-Reps (as we will call them ) were century it was different Dem-Reps (as we will call them ) were more on the states rights side. They believed in the people and more on the states rights side. They believed in the people and that the constitution shouldn’t be used as a tool or guideline, as that the constitution shouldn’t be used as a tool or guideline, as Hamilton felt, but followed to the tee with no room for Hamilton felt, but followed to the tee with no room for considerations.considerations.

They believed in many other things as well but I won’t go into They believed in many other things as well but I won’t go into detail about them. One important one that I feel isn’t as known as detail about them. One important one that I feel isn’t as known as it should be is that they felt there should be it should be is that they felt there should be NO SPECIAL NO SPECIAL FAVORS FOR BUSINESS OR MANUFACTURES. FAVORS FOR BUSINESS OR MANUFACTURES. That topic That topic would start an argument in itself. would start an argument in itself.

Views and Opinion Views and Opinion So there were people who believed that the government should So there were people who believed that the government should

have the final word and the only word and also business should be have the final word and the only word and also business should be favored very highly as well as the wealthy elite ; these people favored very highly as well as the wealthy elite ; these people were federalist. And others who believed in the states rights and were federalist. And others who believed in the states rights and an agrarian economy : dem-reps . an agrarian economy : dem-reps .

So obviously these two have So obviously these two have conflicting views and opinionsconflicting views and opinions. . Conflict isn’t always a bad thing. The conflict led to something we Conflict isn’t always a bad thing. The conflict led to something we now know as political parties.now know as political parties.

If you liked here’s a funny story on how it might have looked. If you liked here’s a funny story on how it might have looked. Click hereClick here

Once upon a time…in a Once upon a time…in a congressional session….congressional session….

Jefferson came in one day to a joint session and he had his posse behind him.Jefferson came in one day to a joint session and he had his posse behind him. He was all cool and stuff and people respected him. Hamilton was at the other end of He was all cool and stuff and people respected him. Hamilton was at the other end of

the room sitting at the table with his snobby group , discussing something. So the room sitting at the table with his snobby group , discussing something. So Jefferson, cane in hand, bashes Hamilton in his head.Jefferson, cane in hand, bashes Hamilton in his head.

“ The states are our people and deserve the rights defined in the “ The states are our people and deserve the rights defined in the constitution ! “ he screamed. Everyone in his group agreed loudly .constitution ! “ he screamed. Everyone in his group agreed loudly .

Hamilton slowly stands, seeing as he just got hit upside the head. “You are a foolish Hamilton slowly stands, seeing as he just got hit upside the head. “You are a foolish man Jefferson and I look down upon you , the government is the jacket and should man Jefferson and I look down upon you , the government is the jacket and should be treated as such !” he says calmly.be treated as such !” he says calmly.

His supporters rally up some yay’s from the crowd.His supporters rally up some yay’s from the crowd. “ “ Let the people decide ! “ says Jefferson , “ everyone who supports me go to this Let the people decide ! “ says Jefferson , “ everyone who supports me go to this side of the presidents desk, all others if you dare, go to the other.”side of the presidents desk, all others if you dare, go to the other.”

Everyone then goes to there appropriate sides and argue behind an imaginary line.Everyone then goes to there appropriate sides and argue behind an imaginary line.

With this political parties are createdWith this political parties are created ! !

The endThe end

What they look like now …. What they look like now ….

So in 1792 the federalist party and So in 1792 the federalist party and the Democratic-Republican party was the Democratic-Republican party was created created

Just to help you understand more :Just to help you understand more : Federalist = Modern day Republicans Federalist = Modern day Republicans Democratic-Republican = Democrats Democratic-Republican = Democrats

Present day & past links !

Why am I telling you these Why am I telling you these things?things?

As an analyzer of history it is my part to figure As an analyzer of history it is my part to figure out the cause and effects. American Identity is out the cause and effects. American Identity is always a topic of conversation brought up. What always a topic of conversation brought up. What does the party system and the early politics tell does the party system and the early politics tell us about the 18us about the 18thth century America ? Well it tells century America ? Well it tells us a lot of things mainly that politics had this us a lot of things mainly that politics had this underlying effect towards the establishment of underlying effect towards the establishment of this American republic. this American republic.

Not only the party system, but the constitution Not only the party system, but the constitution had the biggest role ever. To me it is almost like had the biggest role ever. To me it is almost like the bible [ not to be religious ] but people have the bible [ not to be religious ] but people have many different interpatate of it and feel that it many different interpatate of it and feel that it should be used in many different ways. Some should be used in many different ways. Some feel that is should be followed to the tee. feel that is should be followed to the tee.

These things I feel created the separation of These things I feel created the separation of people in America into not just social categories , people in America into not just social categories , but the newly created , political categories. This but the newly created , political categories. This separation caused change within the separation caused change within the government and the citizens of the early states. government and the citizens of the early states. Separation isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes Separation isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes this bring us closer together , than it does farther this bring us closer together , than it does farther apart.apart.

Jefferson’s Presidency Jefferson’s Presidency

Let’s dive a little into the presidency of Thomas Let’s dive a little into the presidency of Thomas JeffersonJefferson

So why do I need to know So why do I need to know about this? Again?about this? Again?

Jefferson was one very important man. He was a Jefferson was one very important man. He was a serious puzzle piece to this big jigsaw named serious puzzle piece to this big jigsaw named America. He was said to have been one the rare America. He was said to have been one the rare politicians who dared to legislate as though eternal politicians who dared to legislate as though eternal peace was at hand, in a world torn by wars and peace was at hand, in a world torn by wars and convulsions and drowned in blood. [Henry Adams]convulsions and drowned in blood. [Henry Adams]

He established many democratic principals within He established many democratic principals within the united states government and people.the united states government and people.

““long tom” Jefferson did many things within his long tom” Jefferson did many things within his presidency that established a solid foundation upon presidency that established a solid foundation upon which American continues to build on to this day. which American continues to build on to this day.

What’d he do that was so What’d he do that was so important ?important ?

I’m talking first term here : I’m talking first term here : Jefferson was the president who initiated the Jefferson was the president who initiated the

Louisiana purchase from France in 1803Louisiana purchase from France in 1803 He sent Lewis and Clark on there expedition He sent Lewis and Clark on there expedition

( you know , Sacagawea ?) in 1804-1806( you know , Sacagawea ?) in 1804-1806 Pardoned the Alien & Sedition Act offendersPardoned the Alien & Sedition Act offenders Naturalization law of 1803 Naturalization law of 1803 And many many many more things And many many many more things

I have no ambition to govern men ; it is a painful and thankless office

- Thomas Jefferson

This Effect upon the Americas?

• For the 1For the 1stst and 2 and 2ndnd presidents to presidents to be pro-federalism and the 3be pro-federalism and the 3rdrd to to be pro-states/ anti-federalism be pro-states/ anti-federalism created more of this separation I created more of this separation I was talking about within the was talking about within the early Americas. early Americas.

Despite Jefferson’s anti-republic background . The Jeffersonian party kept a lot of the federalist fundamentals instilled in the government . Such as Hamilton's financial system to increase revenue within the American government.

We could go on and on and ON about the Jeffersonian terms and

what occurred in them but for the sake of time and energy and your brain , we wont.

Let’s analyze some more…….Let’s analyze some more…….

Jefferson’s terms were one of the most fundamental parts of America as I Jefferson’s terms were one of the most fundamental parts of America as I said before. Not only were the things he did fundamental , but the said before. Not only were the things he did fundamental , but the political party system was as well. It created this variation within the political party system was as well. It created this variation within the government that , at the time , a lot of other governments lacked. government that , at the time , a lot of other governments lacked. These new things that America was building on made it become this These new things that America was building on made it become this envious place. The “to be” place of the 18envious place. The “to be” place of the 18thth and 19 and 19thth centuries. I can’t centuries. I can’t stress how important the American identity is, not just to Americans, stress how important the American identity is, not just to Americans, but the democratization process of the world , past and present. The but the democratization process of the world , past and present. The simple foundations we built upon, such as , states rights or the bill of simple foundations we built upon, such as , states rights or the bill of rights ( for all people ! ) are something that other systems seemed to rights ( for all people ! ) are something that other systems seemed to lack at the time. They lacked including the people. I feel that is the lack at the time. They lacked including the people. I feel that is the reason so many people disliked the federalist movement, it was reason so many people disliked the federalist movement, it was almost as if they were back at square one with the British ruling over almost as if they were back at square one with the British ruling over them unfairly, even though the federalist used loosed interpatations of them unfairly, even though the federalist used loosed interpatations of the constitution to justify their doings. It still didn’t make it right , and the constitution to justify their doings. It still didn’t make it right , and tyranny is definitely not acceptable in any form in America. This time tyranny is definitely not acceptable in any form in America. This time period is so important towards the understanding of America , old and period is so important towards the understanding of America , old and new. new.

There is so much to be learned from the history of our There is so much to be learned from the history of our country about our country. Only will we stop country about our country. Only will we stop repeating it when we learn and understand it. The repeating it when we learn and understand it. The American identity is forever changing with the American identity is forever changing with the times. It will never stay the same, although I feel times. It will never stay the same, although I feel that it will always have the basic principles of the that it will always have the basic principles of the pursuit of happiness, life, and liberty. pursuit of happiness, life, and liberty.

That is what America was built on , and that is what That is what America was built on , and that is what America will stay on. America will stay on.

Thank Thank youyou

sourcessources

The textbook ( chapter 10,11 )The textbook ( chapter 10,11 )

History. com History. com

search : Thomas Jefferson search : Thomas Jefferson

search: Alexander Hamiltonsearch: Alexander Hamilton

search : search :

http://www.sparknotes.com/biography/jefferson/http://www.sparknotes.com/biography/jefferson/section13.rthmlsection13.rthml