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The Origins of American Politics. Liberty vs. Order. Overview. The first political parties arose because of a disagreement over the role of government. Federalists Trusted the government more than the passions of the people. Key Figures--Washington and Hamilton
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Overview • The first political parties arose because of a disagreement over the role of government. • Federalists • Trusted the government more than the passions of the people. • Key Figures--Washington and Hamilton • Followers of Jefferson (Jeffersonian Republicans) • Trusted the people more than a big government. • Jefferson and Madison
Hamilton’s Policy (Sec. of Treasury) • Supported strong government • Pushed for formation of a national bank and assumption of state debt acquired in the revolution. • Proposed taxes to pay off the debt. • Believed if the US Government had debt, the world would have an interest in its survival. • Favored a loose construction of the Const.
Thomas Jefferson • Had more faith in people than in government. • Believed in a strict construction of the Constitution. • 1793 He resigned b/c of his opposition to Hamilton’s policies which he saw as an assault on liberty.
Other Points of Contention • French Revolution • Federalists saw it as a democratic revolution gone wrong. • Jefferson’s supporters saw it as an extension of the American Revolution. • Whiskey Rebellion • 1794 Opponents of the whiskey tax in Pennsylvania closed courts and attacked tax collectors
Washington sent General Harry Lee and Hamilton with an army of 12,000 men to Pennsylvania. • The rebellion dissolved • This demonstrated to the world the power of the US government. • Jefferson’s followers saw it as government overstepping its authority.
Jay’s Treaty • Britain and France had been at war. • 1793 Washington had declared neutrality • 1794 Washington and Hamilton believed US should side with Great Britain. • John Jay negotiated a treaty in which: • Britain agreed to leave the Northwest Territory. • Both agreed to expand trade.
The treaty failed to stop the British from boarding US ships on the high seas. • Many Americans, including Jefferson, opposed it.
Jeffersonian Republicans • 1793 Men began to form “democratic societies” to oppose the Federalists. • These groups supported Jefferson and his ideals.
Election of 1796 • Washington did not seek a third term. • John Adams ran as a federalist against Thomas Jefferson. • John Adams was elected President and Thomas Jefferson was elected Vice President.
The Federalist Course • The Adam’s Administration • The XYZ Affair • France had been angry about Jay’s Treaty. • Adams sent ambassadors to negotiate with France. • They were met by 3 French agents “X, Y, and Z” who demanded a bribe of $250,000 and a loan of $10 million before they could see the French Foreign minister. • This was commonly done in Europe. • Outraged, the diplomats returned home and problems b/w US and France continued.
Alien and Sedition Acts • Federalists pushed the acts through Congress • Alien Act • Gave the President the right to imprison or deport citizens of other countries residing in the US. • Sedition Act • Made it against the law to criticize government or its officials unless you could prove all you said. • Federalists used it to silence Republicans.
The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions • Jefferson, James Madison and other Republicans believed the Sedition Act violated freedom of speech. • They believed states had the right to determine if a law was constitutional. • The VA and KY Resolutions stated they had the right to “nullify” a law that was unconstitutional. • Neither state enforced the resolutions, but both remained defiant
Election of 1800The Spirit of 1776 vs. the Spirit of 1787 • Tensions between the parties continued to rise in the late 1790s. • Many believed the future of the Republic hinged on the election. • John Adams and Thomas Jefferson ran. • Neither won a majority in the electoral college • Jefferson won when the vote went to the House of Representatives.
The Peaceful Transfer of Power • To the shock of the world, the Federalists handed over power to the Jeffersonian Republicans.
Reversing Federalist Policies • Less like a King • Refused to give speeches before Congress • Asked to be called “Mr. President” • Reduced Taxes • Cut the size of Government • Cut the size of the Army • Was easily reelected in 1804
Hamilton v. Burr • Both were rivals of Jefferson • Summer 1804 Burr killed Hamilton in a duel.
Judicial Review • John Marshall was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. • Marbury V. Madison • President Adams had appointed William Marbury Justice of the Peace for D.C. • Secretary of State Madison, under Jefferson’s orders refused to deliver the papers giving Marbury his authority.
Marbury sued Madison and asked the court to order him to deliver the papers (as allowed by the Judicial act of 1789). • Marshall ruled against Marbury saying it was against the Constitution for him to give this order to the Executive branch. • This established “Judicial Review”--courts determine constitutionality.
Louisiana Purchase • Land Act of 1800 had established the process by which territories could become states. • 1803 Jefferson sent James Monroe to Paris to buy New Orleans from Napoleon • Napoleon refused and offered to sell all French lands known as Louisiana. • Monroe offered $15 million and Napoleon accepted.
Lewis and Clark Expedition • Jefferson sent his secretary Meriwether Lewis to lead an expedition into the LA Territory. • Lewis chose William Clark as his companion. • Goals: • Search for river routs to the Pacific • Contact Native Americans • Gather info about natural resources.
Succeeded with the help of a French-Canadian fur trapper and his wife Sacajawea.
Foreign Policy • Jay’s Treaty expired in 1805. • 1807 Britain attacked the USS Chesapeake and boarded it. • Jefferson responded with an embargo of all foreign goods. • This made him very unpopular at the end of his second term.
Native’s Responses • Responded in four general ways: • Accepted white culture • Blended Indian and American Cultures • Returned to Indian Traditions • Took military action.
Indians Attack • Battle of Tippecanoe • Indiana Territory Gov. William H. Harrison led troops to respond to a threat from Chief Tecumseh. • Harrison won and became a national hero. • Indians continued to attack settlements. • Many began to believe the British were encouraging and equipping the Indians.
Prelude to War • President Madison argued that the British had equipped and encouraged the Indians to attack the US. • The British were still practicing impressments of US citizens. • June 1812 Congress agreed with Madison and declared war.
Course of the War • Land • The US decided to invade Canada, and did so unsuccessfully. • The Americans did win some battles during the war but were largely unsuccessful. • Battle of Thames led by William Henry Harrison • Battle of Horseshoe Bend against the Creek led by Andrew Jackson.
Sea • Initially the US was successful. • In time, the superior British Navy tooke its toll. • The British Blockade of the US coast crippled the US Navy and the US economy. • British Burn Washington • 1814--When the British ended their war with France they turned all their attention to the US. • In August the British invaded Washington and burned the city.
The British then advanced on Baltimore and bombarded Fort McHenry, but the Americans managed to hold out. (Francis Scott Key watched from the distance and in the morning penned the poem titled, “The Star Spangled Banner.”
