Launching a New Republic

1. Launching a New Republic Chapter Nine

2. First Presidential Election • Our newly formed country had created an executive branch, so we needed an executive. • The electoral college (69 members) voted by writing two names on a ballot. • Most votes -President • Runner up – Vice President

3. George Washington • First President • John Adams, Vice-President • A reluctant president • Sworn in on April 30, 1789 in New York City.

4. King Washington??? • There was a great debate on what Washington should be called. • Adams and others felt that he should be called “Your excellency” like other leaders of foreign countries. • Many felt that the term reeked of a monarchy. • Washington ended the argument by telling them that he would be called “Mr. President”.

5. Accomplishments during Washington’s Presidency • Federal Judiciary Act of 1789 • Congress set up court system • Act gave Supreme Court six members • A chief justice and five associate justices • We now have • Set up lower, less powerful federal court system.

6. Accomplishments during Washington’s Presidency • Set up President’s cabinet with three departments • Department of State • Dealt with other countries • Department of War • Defended the country • Treasury Department • Currency • Also set up an Attorney General to serve as adviser and to heat the postal system.

7. Washington’s Cabinet • Thomas Jefferson = 1st Secretary of State • Wanted the expansion of state’s rights (fought for the Bill of Rights to be added to the Constitution). • Liked the idea that the federal government would be weak compared to the states. • Wanted the US to be more rural and full of farmers. • Would become part of the Democratic Republican Party.

8. Washington’s Cabinet • Alexander Hamilton = 1st Secretary of the Treasury • A member of the Continental Congress & Constitutional Convention. • Co-Authored the Federalist papers, wanted a strong federal government. • Thought the way to pay for our Revolutionary War debts was to raise money through Tariffs (taxes on imported goods). • Tariffs would raise money for the government, encourage American industry, & encourage Americans to buy more American-made goods! • Thought the US should be urban (full of cities and manufacturing).

9. FUN FACTS! • During Washington’s inaugural speech, he was so nervous that his hands shook and he had a hard time reading his speech. • He was the only president to never live in the white house.

10. Whiskey Rebellion • Biggest problem with new country is no $$$$. • Congress decides to tax luxury items (like whiskey). • Settlers west of the Appalachians were angry since it cost a lot to transport the wheat to the whiskey makers. • Many farmers simply refused to pay it. • They needed whiskey to trade for goods. • Fortunately, the US learned from the mistakes of Shay’s Rebellion and decided to deal with the problem.

11. Whiskey Rebellion… • In an effort to end any protests, they lowered the tax. Many began to pay, BUT… • The “Whiskey Boys” in western Pennsylvania tarred and feathered tax collectors that tried to enforce the law. • Alexander Hamilton and George Washington believed the rebellion was a threat to the authority of the national government and decided to lead 13,000 militia to stop the threat.

12. Whiskey Rebellion… • It worked! They stopped the Rebellion and proved that the new government was strong and powerful.

13. FUN FACT!! • Tarring and feathering was a form of humiliation in Colonial and early American times. • The victim had tar either poured or painted on him and then feathers were thrown on him • The tar used most often was pine tar. It has a much lower boiling point and so didn’t burn the skin. • But it was incredibly difficult to remove!

14. Alexander Hamilton & The Bank of the United States • Hamilton wanted to create an official bank of the United States. • He believed that having a bank to issue currency and make business loans would strengthen the United States. • Others opposed the bank because they feared the national government would gain too much power. • They also didn’t believe that the government had to power to create a bank at all. • Washington heard both sides, but eventually decided to go with Hamilton and allow the creation of the bank.

15. Alexander Hamilton & The Bank of the United States • Hamilton’s financial plan for the United States had 3 parts: • Create the national bank • Pay off war debts (by using revenue from tariffs) • Raise money for the government • This plan to repay the debt was greatly opposed. The southern states had mostly repaid their war debt and didn’t think it was fair to make them pay for the North’s debt. • What could persuade the South to agree to the debt plan?

16. Both the North and the South wanted the capital in their section of the country. • Hamilton said he would support a plan for the capitol to be in the South IF the South would support his plan to pay of the debt. • The debt plan passed and the nation’s new capital, the District of Columbia, was located in the South between Maryland and Virginia.

17. French Revolution • While the Whiskey Rebellion was happening, the French were rebelling against their king. • The leaders of the French Revolution hoped to build a nation based on “liberty, equality, and fraternity”. (sound familiar?)

18. French Revolution • Initially, it was a great cause with well meaning leaders and France does eventually become a Republic. • Americans were thrilled. They saw the French Revolution as a crusade for democracy. • But eventually, the French Revolution starts taking a different course…

19. French Revolution • The leaders, cheered on by angry mobs, begin beheading wealthy nobles. (A symbol of the class system that they are rebelling against). • Things get out of control. • Word spreads back to America and the wealthy Americans worried that the same thing could happen in America.

20. Growth of Political Parties • The lasting effect of the French Revolution for Americans, was the division of its government. • There were two very different political parties… • Thomas Jefferson and his followers supported the revolution and called themselves Democratic-Republicans or Republicans. • Alexander Hamilton and his followers did not (remember they were wealthy) and they called themselves Federalists. • The division of between Republicans and Federalists worried George Washington so much that he ran for a second term. • Hamilton and Jefferson both told him that he was the only person that could keep the country together.

21. George Washington’s Farewell Address • Near the end of Washington’s second term, he said that he would not run again. • In his final speech, he attempted to reunite the divided country by reminding them that they had fought together during the revolution. • He also pointed to two major problems the country faced… • Problems with other countries • Problems with the “Spirit of the Party” • Despite the political differences, Washington had led the country through very difficult times and had left the nation united and at peace.

22. George Washington’s Farewell Address “The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world. As an important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible; avoid the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions to discharge debts, which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon [future generations] the burden, which we ourselves ought to bear.” • What are some of the dangers that Washington cautioned the nation against? • Which of these dangers does our nation still face today?

23. And in this corner… • Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists • Hamilton • Born and raised in the Caribbean • Sent to America when he was 13 with nothing • Self made man • Washington made him his personal assistant during the Revolution • Married into one of the wealthiest families in New York. • Snazzy dresser with good posture • A doer - got things accomplished. • Federalists • Believed people were basically selfish so distrusted any system of government that gave too much power to the people. • Believed the most well educated, wealthy men should run the country. • Favored a strong national government

24. And in this corner… • Thomas Jefferson and the Republicans • Jefferson • Born in VA to an old and respected family • Owned a tobacco plantation in VA (slaves) • Had faith in the “goodness” of people • Eloquent writer • Sloppy and thrown together • Slouched • A thinker – took time to explore ideas. • Republicans • Best government was the one that governed the least • Felt that Federalist’s views were dangerously close to a monarchy • Strict Construction – Strict adherence to the Constitution • Weak national government/Strong state government

25. The ‘Elastic’ Clause • AKA: ‘Necessary and Proper’ Clause • This is what gave Federalists the idea that government had more powers than just those listed in the Constitution. • “To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the forgoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.”

26. John Adams Takes Office • 2nd President • John Adams – 71 votes (President) (Federalist) • Thomas Jefferson - 68 votes (Vice President) (Republican) • Top two leaders were from opposing political parties

27. Tension with France • When Washington left office, tensions were high with France. • France and Britain were at war. • France began seizing US ships and looting them to prevent trade with Britain. • John Adams sent an ambassador to France to try to work things out.

28. Tension with France • For several weeks no one would talk with them until finally three French men (X, Y, and Z) said they could meet with France if the US paid $10 million. • They refused and reported it back to John Adams. • It became known as in the XYZ Affair. • Adams cancelled its treaties with France and allowed US ships to seize French ships. • Set aside money to expand the navy and army.

29. Alien and Sedition Acts • First laws Adams enacted • Created to silence his critics “in a time of crisis” • Alien Acts broken into three laws… • First • Lengthened the time it took for an immigrant to become a citizen with the right to vote from 5 to 14 years. • Second and Third • The other two Alien Acts allowed the president to either jail or deport aliens that were suspected of activity against the government. • Sedition Act • Sedition (encouraging rebellion against the government) a crime • It defined sedition as ‘printing, uttering, or publishing any false scandalous and malicious writing’ against the govt. • It was actually used to punish Republican newspaper editors who insulted President Adams.

30. FUN FACT!! Alien and Sedition Acts! • One editor said he was an “old, quarrellous, bald, blind, crippled, toothless Adams.” • Twenty five people were arrested under the new Sedition Act. Ten were convicted of printing seditious opinions.

31. Peace with France • A couple years later, although war fever was high, Adams reopened talks with France. • They quickly signed the Convention of 1800 • Stopped all naval attacks • Although Adams paved the way to make peace with France, his actions made him an enemy of the Federalists and he lost the election of 1800. • Who won the election? We will find out in chapter 10!

32. 1789 1794 1796 1798 Whiskey Rebellion Alien and Sedition Act George Washington sworn in as first president. French Revolution begins. George Washington’s farewell address John Adams elected president