Launching the New Government

1. Launching the New Government

2. George Washington 1789 - 1796

3. What were these two leaders referring to in these quotations? “My station is new; and if I may use the expression, I walk on untroden ground.” - President G. Washington“We are in the wilderness without a single footstep to guide us.” - Congressman James Madison

4. Both leaders were referring to the fact that the office of President, and in fact, the entire government, was new. No one knew exactly what to do or exactly how things were supposed to work!

5. Where did the new government meet? Building and city. • Federal Hall, New York City(the temporary capital)

6. List 3 practices (precedents) established with Washington’s presidency that remain part of our government today.

7. The precedents are: • Set up Cabinet • Sent treaties to the Senate for approval • Served 2 terms • Added ‘so help me God’ to the oath of office • Using the title “Mr. President”

8. During Washington’s presidency the nation faced several foreign and domestic problems. What were the problems and solutions?

9. The National Debt • The amount of money the government owed was growing…the government owed money to other countries and U.S. citizens who helped in the Revolutionary War. • Hamilton said we should pay off our foreign creditors first. • Citizens bought bonds that would later mature… leads to speculators.

10. The National Bank and Hamilton’s Plan • Hamilton wants to pay off bonds sold during the Revolution at original value instead of their matured rates. • Hamilton also wants the creation of a national bank (the Bank of the U.S.) which would be owned by the government and private investors

11. Hamilton's Financial Structure Supported by Revenues

12. The National Bank and Hamilton’s Plan • Hamilton proposed a tariff (tax on imports) to encourage people to buy American; protecting American goods by making imported goods expensive. • Hamilton also proposed a variety of national taxes, including one on whiskey. • Hamilton was in favor “spirit of the law” and Jefferson favored “letter of the law”

13. The Whiskey Rebellion • Hamilton’s tax on whiskey led to a rebellion in western Pennsylvania…most farmers in this area lived by bartering (exchanging whiskey and other goods for items they needed)…they did not have cash to pay for anything, let alone a whiskey tax

14. The Whiskey Rebellion • In July of 1794, 500 people armed with pitchforks, swords, and guns, attacked tax collectors and burned down buildings • Pres. Washington led an army of about 13,000 to put down the rebellion (the rebellion died as soon as Washington and his army crossed the Appalachian Mtns.)

15. The Whiskey Rebellion • The Whiskey Rebellion and Washington’s response to it made it clear that if citizens were unhappy with a law, they needed to go about changing it peacefully.

16. Neutrality • Britain and France went to war (again!) in 1793…some in the U.S. wanted to side with France, some wanted to side with Britain • Washington issued a Proclamation of Neutrality—this document prohibited Americans from fighting in the war and barred British and French warships from U.S. ports

17. Impressment • In response to French attacks at sea, British ships began seizing U.S. merchant ships that traded with the French • The British also began forcing the crews of U.S. merchant ships into the British navy • This practice of impressment greatly angered the American gov’t and people and pushed the U.S. closer to a war with Great Britain

18. Washington chose not to run for President a third time. What three major ideas did he share in his Farwell address that influenced America for many years?

19. *Political parties will hurt the new nation*Treat other nations well….*….but avoid permanent alliances

20. John Adams1796 - 1800

21. During Adams presidency he faced several problems between the U.S. and countries like England and France. We are being forced to make decisions. What happened and how did it affect the U.S.?

22. XYZ Affair • The French, upset by a treaty between the U.S. and Britain (Jay’s Treaty), start seizing U.S. ships • Adams sends a delegation to France in an effort to avoid war • The U.S. delegation is shocked to learn the French won’t speak or meet with them, and in fact, have demanded a bribe and a loan from the U.S.

23. XYZ Affair • The U.S. refuses and Adams is ANGRY!! • Adams refers to the 3 French agents as X,Y, and Z, and urges Congress to prepare for war

24. Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) • The Alien Act gave the President the power to deport aliens (immigrants) he considered dangerous. • The Sedition Act made it a crime to speak, write, or publish ‘false, scandalous, or malicious’ criticisms of government, Congress, or the President

25. Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) • At this time, the Federalists (who mostly sided with the British), held Congress. • These acts were passed because many immigrants from Europe sided with France and supported the Republicans

26. Peace with France • In 1800, the French agreed to a treaty with the U.S. and war is avoided • While this was best for the U.S., it hurt Adams chance for reelection…part of his party had wanted war, part of it didn’t…the Federalists won’t be a unified force against the Republicans

27. FEDERALISTS Hamilton (people are basically selfish and need gov’t to restrain them) Strong central gov’t Industrial economy, manufacturing Wanted regulation of trade Gov’t aid to business, but no regulation of business Pro-British, anti-French Responsive to creditors (people who loan money to others) Created national bank Loose interpretation of the Constitution

28. DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS Jefferson (people are generally good and capable of self-gov’t) Limit federal gov’t (favor states’ rights) Encourage western expansion Agricultural society ‘common man’ can rule Strict interpretation of the Constitution No gov’t help or rules for business (laissez-faire---hands off) Pro-French, anti-British Responsive to debtors (people who owe money to others)

29. Even though Alexander Hamilton never became president, he was one of the most important founding fathers. What happened to him in 1804?

30. Burr believed that Hamilton caused him to lose the race for governor of New York • Hamilton was shot by Aaron Burr in a duel in July 1804 • Hamilton died of his wounds • Burr fled

31. Thomas Jefferson 1801 - 1809

32. How was the election of 1800 similar to elections today? • The election of 1800 between Jefferson and Adams was a nasty one. • Many insults and nasty statements in newspapers…not unlike the TV commercials and bumper stickers of today. • Called the Revolution of 1800

33. Why was it so difficult for Jefferson to win the election? • Jefferson and Burr each won 73 electoral votes….during this time, the candidate with the most electoral votes became President, and the candidate finishing second became Vice-President • Because there was a tie, the House of Reps. was to choose the next President • It took 36 votes in the House before Jefferson won the Presidency

34. Why was the transfer of power to Jefferson unique when compared to other changes in leadership in the world? • Jefferson took over peacefully. There was no violence or chaos (as often happens in the world when a new party takes over)

35. In Thomas Jefferson’s inaugural address he said, “We are all republicans, we are all federalists.” What was he trying to say and do? • Jefferson is trying to play down his differences with the Federalists. • He wants to draw the Federalists into the Republican party (in hopes that eventually, all parties would disappear)

36. The very first Supreme Court case to show that they could use Judicial Review was? What is judicial review?

37. *Judicial review: deciding whether the nation’s laws are constitutional (in agreement with the Constitution)*The first case in which the Supreme Court exercised judicial review was Marbury v. Madison

38. One of Jefferson’s greatest accomplishments was the Louisiana Purchase. How did we get it and why was Jefferson torn about his ability to purchase the land?

39. The United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million dollars • Jefferson was torn about his ability to make this purchase because he had a strict interpretation of the Constitution…he believed you could not read between the lines…the gov’t only has the powers that are listed (and the power to buy land is NOT listed!) • Hence the use of “Implied Powers”

40. Why was the Louisiana Purchase so important for our country • Doubled the size of the U.S. • Secured American control of the Mississippi River & New Orleans • Got France out of North America • Gave U.S. control of a lot of natural resources • Created a buffer zone between us and a powerful army at our back door.

41. What area did the Louisiana Purchase cover? • The Louisiana Purchase covered the area from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains • Think “Mr. Mimal”

42. Jefferson faced several foreign problems (impressements too!). What others did he face?

43. The Barbary Pirates • The Barbary Coast states of N. Africa demanded tribute (money for protection) from ships passing through the Mediterranean

44. War with Tripoli • In 1801, the ruler of Tripoli asks for more tribute…Jefferson refuses and the ruler declares war on the U.S. by cutting down the flag pole in the embassy. • The U.S. tries to blockade Tripoli, but we aren’t powerful enough

45. War with Tripoli • In 1804, the U.S. warship Philadelphia is captured and put into Tripoli’s harbor…the captain and the crew are imprisoned • Stephen Decatur and a raiding party that escaped imprisonment snuck into Tripoli and set fire to the Philadelphia to prevent its use by pirates • Negotiations end the conflict in 1805…there will be no more tribute paid, but the U.S. had to pay $60,000 for release of U.S. prisoners

46. Neutral Rights • A nation not involved in a conflict had the right to sail the seas and not take sides • America remained neutral for 2 years while Britain and France continued to fight….but both Britain and France get fed up with the neutrality of the U.S.

47. Embargo Act • Passed in 1807 to punish Britain for impressment of U.S. citizens and attack on the Chesapeake. • This act banned imports from and exports to ALL foreign nations • That is the U.S. would not use other nations as go betweens • The idea was to hurt Britain but avoid war • Big mistake

48. James Madison 1809 - 1817

49. Several things helped bring us to war…describe them in your own words.

50. Non-intercourse Act (1809) • Replaced the Embargo Act…opened trade with all nations except France and Great Britain (and their possessions)