Launching a New Republic

Launching a New Republic • Challenges to the New Government • The Federalists in Charge B

Spain, France, Britain, Native Americans all still had some claims to sections of America west of the Appalachians The Native Americans even hoped to form their own independent nation in the Northwest Territory. No matter what was tried, there were disagreements over this land, and if there were fights, the Native Americans usually lost. The Northwest Territory is still a big issue B

There were still some British in the area, who traded with the Natives. When there was a battle – the Native Americans were hoping for help from there “friends” – the British. But they found out the British didn’t really want to get into another war and would back off if they had to fight the Americans. After the Battle of Fallen Timbers, Native Americans signed a treaty that gave up what is now Ohio and Indiana to the U.S. Government One of the bigger battles over the area:The Battle of Fallen Timbers B

One way Hamilton wanted to make money: tax the people. Hamilton put a tax on whiskey. To farmers, whiskey was very important – and not just for drinking. It could also be used in trade and as money. The new government needed money for several things – including fighting for the Northwest Territory B

The caught and tarred and feathered some tax collectors. They threatened an armed attack. So… Washington sent in troops to put down the rebellion, which showed… The new government was willing to stand up for its new rules and laws. A group of farmers became very upset with the new tax and tried to fight back B

Inspired by what the Americans had done, the French also had ideas of liberty and equality. The French Revolution became very violent (and was inspired by the American Revolution(9)). Thousands of French citizens were massacred. About the same time…The French decided to have a revolution. B

Marie Antoinette: was spending all of France’s money at a time of great financial problems. She asked why the people were protesting and was told it was because “the poor had no bread.” She replied: “Then let them eat cake.” They even executed their King (Luis XVI). B

So they declared war on France. So what do the Americans do? Other European kings and queens were thinking if the French leaders were killed by there own people – they might be next • We owed the French government a favor because they helped us against Britain in our Revolution. • We felt the French citizens should also have the right to liberty and equality • Britain was our main source of trade money and we didn’t want to take a chance on that B

Remain neutral – friendly and impartial to both sides. But wait… it can’t be just that easy – to not get involved. The British were mad at us and decided to start attacking our ships. We had some meetings with them to discuss that, and we also talked with them about the Northwest Territory (where they were still hanging out). It was agreed – by 1796 that the British would leave the territory – and pay for the ships they damaged. Now – more settlers could move into the area? So… America decided to B

Some people had disagreements with some of Washington’s decisions as president and started to criticize his leadership. Washington knew that was starting, and even warned that “political disagreements could weaken the nation.” His foreign policy (24/26) was: he wanted the United States to stay out of everyone else's business – and not make agreements with other nations By this time, Washington had been president for 8 years, and decided he had enough B Attitude towards other countries

Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson (and James Madison was also on his side) As often happens when someone gives up power, there’s a struggle for who will take over. Two men had completely different ideas about how the United States should be run. Even still – they completely respected each other and worked together on many things. B

Hamilton’s “Federalists” (34) Government should promote industry and trade. Government should be run by and for the rich. Strong central government and weak state governments. Giving few people the right to vote. Limits on freedom of speech and the press. Favored England in foreign affairs. Feared democracy. Jefferson’s Democratic-Republicans (33) Government should promote farming and small business. Average people should run the government. Strong state and local gvts and weak federal gvt. Giving many people the right to vote. Freedom of speech and the press. Favored France in foreign affairs. Favored democracy. From these two men came the formation of Political Parties (32/35) (Groups who want to influence the way government is run) B

The federalists picked John Adams (37) to run The Democratic-Republicans chose Thomas Jefferson In the next election… Adams won and became president. Jefferson came in 2nd, so he became vice-president – the way presidential elections were set up in those days. B

So Adams became the first president to live in the “presidential mansion” When Adams became president, they were just finishing up the first stages of building Washington D.C. The original presidential “home” in Philadelphia (Washington and Adams both refused to live there) B White House Museum site

There was even a possibility of war. The conflict made President Adams (and the Federalists) popular. The Democratic-Republicans didn’t like that and tried to gain some power. To get even with them, Adams and the Federalist Congress passed…. When Washington left office in 1797, the U.S. and the French weren’t getting along too well. B

Waiting period to become a citizen went from 5 to 14 years. The President could arrest disloyal aliens… or order them out of the country during war time. Sedition was outlawed (saying or writing false things about the government). These really limited people’s freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The Alien and Sedition Acts (41)(Targeting aliens and immigrants) B

Said: there were state rights (42) even the federal government couldn’t take away. Argued they violated the Constitution (which they kind of did). Within 2 years, the Democratic-Republicans controlled Congress, and these laws expired. The Democratic-Republicans (led by Jefferson and Madison) found a way to fight these acts. B

Launching a New Republic