Topic #1: The Early Republic

Essential Question: Whose ideas were best for the nation, Hamilton or Jefferson?

George Washington

• Originally a Commander-in-Chief during the war and a founding father.

• He was elected as the First President in 1789 at 57 years old.

• Federalist from Virginia.

• He had a wife named Martha and no children.

• He hired men he knew to the cabinet and when making decisions, he would get everyone’s opinion first.

• Washington decided where in Virginia the capitol would be built

• He decided to step down at the end of his second term in 1797.

The First Presidency

Government to-do’s during the First Presidency:

• Congress had to draft and pass the Bill of Rights:

  • First 10 Amendments passed on December 15, 1789.

• Judicial branch needs to be set up:

  • Judiciary Act of 1789 - established supreme court with 6 members.

• President appoints executive cabinet:

  • Secretary of State: Jefferson, Secretary of Treasury: Hamilton, Secretary of War: Knox.

• Deal with debt from the Revolution:

  • Hamilton proposed Financial Plan.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

1. Assume state debt

2. Create a National Bank

3. Establish a protective tax (tax on imports) and excise taxes (taxes of production)

Everything in his plan gets accepted, but Thomas Jefferson questions if a national bank is constitutional. Hamilton believes it is because he has a loose interpretation of the constitution, Thomas Jefferson disagrees.

• Compromise: To move the capitol from New York to Virginia in exchange for Jefferson to allow Hamilton’s plan.

War of the First Coalition

• 1793

• Britain and France go to war as a result of the French Revolution, territorial disputes, and the execution of the French king.

• The U.S. decides to stay neutral and this is a big deal because France had greatly helped the U.S. win the Revolutionary War.

Whiskey Rebellion

• 1794

• Pennsylvania farmers were upset with taxes

• Washington goes to Pennsylvania with 12,000 troops to the stop the rebellion.

Washington’s Farewell Address

• 1796

• George Washington gives advice to the country before he steps down:

  1. Stay out of European affairs.

  2. Do not make permanent alliances.

  3. Avoid political parties.

  4. Avoid sectionalism (North vs. South over slavery).

• John Adams becomes the second president

Federalists

• Supporters of Hamilton

• Want a strong national government

• Manufacturing/shipping

• Located in northeast states

• Loose interpretation of the Constitution

• Pro - alliance with Britain

Democratic Republicans

• Supporters of Jefferson

• Want a strong state government

• Agriculture

• Located in southern states

• Strict interpretation of the Constitution

• Pro - alliance with France

The Election of 1800

• Also known as the Revolution of 1800 since it shifted from Federalists to Dem-Rep in power.

• Jefferson says “We are all republicans we are all federalists”

• Jeffersonian Republicanism: a government which governs least, governs best.

During Jefferson’s Term

• Louisiana Purchase: The U.S. pays France $15 million in exchange for a large territory west of the colonies. France needs the money to fund the war against Britain.

• Louis and Clark expedition

The Marshall Court

• John Marshall - 4th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

• The court tends to rule in favor of national government

• Marbury vs. Madison

  • Established judicial review: the Supreme Court rules whether a law is constitutional or not.

  • It is important because it re-enforces the Supreme Court rule.