The early Republic 1783–1796

What is meant by Republicanism?

A system that replaces or accompanies inherited rule- emphasis on liberty and a rejection of corruption (government by the consent of the governed)

How was America well suited for Republicanism?

• By 1763, colonial assemblies had substantial power, and most white men could vote

• Colonial politics had become even more democratic by the 1770s

• When the gentry passed resolutions against the British, men of lesser ranks protested against the British in support

• Committees of Safety and the Sons of Liberty spread awareness and brought more people towards politics

What is meant by an Elitist?

Believed in liberty, but wanted to maintain order and feared too much democracy

What is meant by a Democrat?

Wanted complete equality and freedom from oppression (often from poorer backgrounds)

List 5 policies of the Elitists?

• Franchise should be limited to property holders

• Governors would have wide powers

• Property qualifications needed for holding office

• voting occurs only occasionally

• 2 political houses (1 for people, 1 for elites)

List 5 policies of the Democrats?

• Most people should be able to vote (except women and slaves)

• Frequent elections

• low/ no property qualifications for holding office

• one political house/ legislature

• Weak executive (leader/ President)

Outline what the State constitutions looked like?

• All agreed sovereignty ultimately resided with the people

• Concerned about the separation of powers (Virginia was the first to say the executive, legislature and judiciary should be separate)

• 2 legislative houses (1 for people, 1 for elites)

• Requirement of property ownership to vote- however it was mostly low

• Single executive head (governor) - chosen by legislature → most states had 1 year terms for governors

In the North and South there were many cosmopolitans in areas of commerce, land ownership. Why would these types of people support elitists?

A strong government will be able to run finances better, meaning the cosmopolitans can earn more money

List some examples of the problems that occurred in governing states?

• Issues with authority over their territory (e.g. Vermont separating from New York in 1777- recognition in 1791)

• Financial problems- states had no choice but to raise taxes, but even this was insufficient → states forced to create paper money which increased inflation

• Loyalist problems- every state required men to take oaths of allegiance to the state, failure to do so could lead to barring men from their trades/ professions

pre 1776, the colonies established Churches.

How was the freedom of religion like after 1776?

• States debated about whether religious establishments was consistent with individual liberties

• 9 states prohibited the established churches

• In Virginia, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson worked to ensure that religion would become entirely a private matter

What law did Jefferson pass in 1786 which was passed by state legislatures in regards to religion, and was this followed?

Act for establishing religious freedom → prohibited all forms of state intervention in religious affairs.

All New England states except Rhode Island continued to require taxpayers to support Public Protestant worship

What were the terms of the Articles of Confederation (created after the Declaration of Independence)

• Congress acted as central government- Each state had 1 vote

• Congress was elected yearly (limited to 3 terms)

• Congress could declare war, raise an army and navy, borrow and issue money, treaties and alliances and settle boundary disputes

• Treaties needed 9 states in agreement

• 13 states needed to amend articles

• States had the power to levy taxes and regulate trade

What are the issues with the Articles of Confederations?

• Congress cannot tax (Congress nearly became bankrupt in 1780)

• elections too frequent for a strong government to be made

• States only have 1 vote, neglecting the amount of population within the state

• difficult to amend articles

• no mention of executive (President), central location

• No supreme court or national currency

• Only 1 Parliamentary house

The Articles were first proposed in the Second Continental Congress in 1777 in Philadelphia and was fully ratified into effect in 1781.

However, why did the Articles fail in America?

• There was economic disorganisation due to Congress’s lack of ability to tax and an absence of a national currency

• Lack of an executive and an independent judiciary (Supreme Court) caused issues

• Legislatures only had 1 vote despite population sizes varying throughout states

What was the social and economic impact of the war on Americans like in terms of wanting an Egalitarian society? (equal rights and democracy)

• Americans opposed hereditary privilege and monarchy- Many states forbid hereditary office holding

• New men (lower social status) sat in state legislatures, they challenged the social and political supremacy of the old elite→ determined to create a nation that considered their interests even if it conflicted with the rich

• Ordinary Americans became officers in both the Continental Army and militia units as a result of merit, not status

• Judges no longer wore wigs and robes in English fashion

• The land west of the Appalachians created opportunities for landless American farmers

• Some states abolished slavery

• Indentured service almost disappeared after the war

What are some arguments against the idea that the war had an impact in creating an Egalitarian society?

• All American leaders accepted that class distinctions were natural and inevitable → there was no attempt to redistribute wealth and promote social equality

• Social classes did not change in significant ways

• the general pattern of land holding in most states remained the same

• Indentured service on decline before the war

• War had limited effect on slavery and status of women

• America had remained a land of self-sufficient farmers

What was the impact of the war on Slavery?

• Prior to 1775, most white colonists had taken slavery as part of the natural order of society

• However the revolution represented a fundamental challenge to the institution of slavery → heart of the revolution was for belief in human liberty

• This made it difficult to believe the deceleration of independence’s assertion that all men were made equal, especially 1 in 6 men were slaves in America

What was Slavery like during the war of independence which favoured Britain?

• Black males were willing to align with any side with whichever side offered the best chance of success. Britain seemed to be the best hope

• One of Washington’s first acts as commander of the Continental army in 1775 was the ban black people from service (at the same time, British Lord Dunmore promised freedom to any Virginian slave who fled a rebel owner to serve the British army)

• General Clinton in 1779, issued a proclamation in which he declared that any slaves captured in service to the rebels would be sold, but those who deserted the rebels and served Britain would receive full security (1 in 6 southern saves fled to British lines

• At the end of the war, Britain transported 20,000 black loyalists out of America

What was Slavery like during the war of independence which favoured America?

• Some slaves did fight for American independence, New Englanders allowed slaves to serve in the militia, despite the Continental army ban

  • By 1777, Washington and Congress, due to a shortage of manpower allowed black people in the continental army’s ranks→ freedom to be granted if they were enlisted

  • 15% of the continental army was African-American in 1779

Explain the Northern opposition to slavery?

• The denouncement of slavery began even before the war, In 1771, Massachusetts assembly banned the slave trade with Africa. Rhode Island and Connecticut followed in 1774

• Anti-slavery movements gathered in every Northern state

• Abolishment of slavery in the north was simple as only 3% of New England was slaves

• Vermont banned slavery in 1777 constitution, Pennsylvania adopted law to give gradual emancipation

• New Hampshire also banned slavery

• However, New York and New Jersey had strong opposition to delay gradual emancipation, abolishment laws weren’t passed until 19th century

Explain the Southern states’ attitude to slavery, and then explain why it changed after 1783?

• Most Southern states were determined to keep slavery as 90% of the slaves lived in the South

• Anti-slavery agitation had little impact, however few southerners recognised that slavery was a moral evil

• 1783 manumission laws passed, (allowing owners to free their slaves)→ not used effectively

After 1783, there was a change in attitude, number of free black people was 30,000 and Virginia and Maryland banned the slave trade→ however it was motivated by economic interest rather than revolutionary concern, and an increase in slaves occurred again when cotton became a profitable crop

Explain the impact the war had on the status of women?

• 20,000 women served with the military forces in an ancillary capacity (cooks, laundresses and prostitutes)

• Women had replaced absent husbands as temporary heads of households during the war

• Families were now built on mutual trust rather than patriarchy

• Overall however, there was no significant change or benefit→ still expected to be traditional and domestic, not allowed to hold office or vote

Explain the impact the war had on the Native Americans?

• Most Native American tribes had little to no option but to sue for peace after Britain’s defeat

• In 1784, USA concluded treaties at forts in New York and South Carolina in which it won concessions of land from Native American tribes

• The New republic had little sympathy for Native Americans, by taking their lands, excluding them from rights and privileges

• Some tribes continued to resist, armed by Britain

List 5 positive economic impacts of the war?

• Freed from the constraints of the Navigation acts, America can export from European markets

• American privateers captured £18 million worth of British vessels

• Sharp reduction in imports from Britain

• Military demands boosted domestic production of uniform, munitions and guns

• Farmers profited by selling food to the various armies

List 5 negative economic impacts of the war?

• Property was destroyed/stolen by troops on both sides

• large numbers of American merchant ships seized by Royal navy

• American trade devastated by British blockade

• Hyper-inflation due to shortage of goods and printing of paper money

• Plantations disrupted by slaves escaping to join Britain

What were the problems with the National government in 1781 in terms of executive heads?

3 executive heads were created for foreign affairs, finance and war- However Congress had no power over the states and many states guarded their independence

In terms of organising the West, what was the 1785 land ordinance?

• Outlined a surveying system for the sale of northwest land

• Government surveyors would first divide land into 6 square miles townships

• Each township was divided into one square mile

• 4 sections in every township were to be set as bounty land for ex-soldiers and 1 for maintenance in schools, the rest were sold at auctions→ reduced political disputes among land purchasers

In terms of organising the West, what was the 1787 Northwest ordinance?

• Prescribed a set of procedures for organising and admitting to statehood new territories

• Provided that during the initial place of settlement, a territory would not be self-governing but would have a governor and judges appointed by Congress

• When the territory had 5000 adult males, it could elect a legislature with limited powers

• When a population reached 60,000 it could form a constitutional convention and apply to Congress for admission as a state

What was foreign policy like with Britain during the 1780s?

• Britain still maintained some presence near the Great Lakes. Partly to continue it’s trade with America and Native Americans, and because it sought to claim back debts from the Americans

• As Congress was weak and had little central control over the states, this was difficult to enforce

What was foreign policy like with Spain during the 1780s?

• Spain also disliked western expansion by the Americans and had control of the Mississippi river through its own territories.

• In 1784, it seized Natchez, stopping America from using the Mississippi river

In 1786, what was the treaty initiated by John Jay (Foreign secretary) with Spain, and why was it opposed and why did John Jay receive criticism?

• If America is allowed limited access to the Spanish markets, then America would give up the right to use the Mississippi river for 25 years

• However, 5 Southern states opposed, making the treaty unable to ratify

• Westerners were furious at Jay’s willingness to sacrifice their interests

• In contrast, Some people talked of setting up an independent republic under Spanish protection

How did the war’s impact negatively affect the economy in America during the 1780s?

• Between 1783 and 1786, the US imported goods from Britain worth over £7 million, but less than 1/3 of that was sold in return

• American debt and flow of specie (coins) outside the country slowed down economic recovery and depressed trade

• Control over commercial matters was retained by the states, making it difficult for the US as a whole

• Government unable to pay their soldiers

• The National bank made by Robert Morris was separated from the government in 1784

How did the war’s impact positively affect the economy in America during the 1780s?

• US population grew from 2 million to 4 million in 1790

• Westward expansion was thriving

• New markets available in far East and Europe

• British trading restrictions could be avoided

• Barriers to interstate trade banned in 1780

What was America’s debt during the 1780s (National, Foreign and Domestic) and why did this national debt struggle to be paid?

• National debt £41 million

• Foreign debt £8 million

• Domestic debt £33 million

States would rather pay their own states’ debts than the national debt

Outline the social tensions during the 1780s?

• September 1786, the governor of New Hampshire called out 2000 militiamen to disperse several hundred farmers who were threatening the legislative assembly after they went back on a promise to issue paper money

• There were similar disturbances by angry farmers in Vermont, Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia

Explain what happend during Shay’s rebellion (most serious trouble) in 1786 and how was it put down?

• The Massachusetts state legislature, rejected the demand for paper money and insisted that taxes be paid in scarce specie

• Many farmers, unable to pay the taxes, lost their land and some were imprisoned

• Western Massachusetts was seething with discontent when the state legislature adjourned without listening to the farmers’ demands for paper money in 1786→ Mobs roamed from place to place, preventing the courts from hearing debt cases

• their leader, Daniel Shays, a bankrupt farmer led hundreds of men in 1787 toward the federal arsenal at Springfield → Rebels were easily dispersed by 7000 militiamen

What effect did Shay’s rebellion have on the National government?

It gave crucial incentive to increase the national government’s strength, and to sort out the issue of having an organised continental army and to being able to pay their soldiers

Why had American nationalism grown since the 18th century?

• while most Americans were loyal to their states, the struggle for independence had grown the sense of being American

• The Continental army during the war produced national heroes, symbols etc. e.g. Flag in 1777

• Nationalism inspired men like Hamilton, Madison and Washington for constitutional reform

What was the Virginia and Maryland agreement?

• Commissioners from these 2 states met in 1784 to resolve conflict over the issue of rights of the Potomac river- they quickly reached an agreement but then also decided that they would negotiate financial and customs polices and other areas of common interest

• It was suggested by James Madison that inter-state cooperation could be useful for constitutional reform

What was the Annapolis Convention (1786) and what did it lead to?

• 12 representatives from 5 states met (NY,NJ,PA,DE,VA)

• the goal was to address barriers that limited trade and commerce between the states

• However, there was not enough states represented in the convention to make any real progress

• Convention sent a report to the Continental Congress to call a meeting of all the states in Philadelphia to examine areas bigger than trade and commerce

What happened at the Constitutional Convention in May 1787? (Who had a big impact)

• Only Virginian (Washington and Madison) and Pennsylvanian delegates arrived due to poor weather and road delays, slowing other delegates

• Madison had a greater impact than Washington as he wanted a strong government and had a clear idea on how it was to do be done

• Eventually 45 delegates from every state arrived (except Rhode Island)

→ Most of the delegates were of the elites (no black people, natives, poor or women were present)

What was the Virginia Plan which was drafted by Madison? (who liked this plan)

• Consisting of 2 houses, representation would be proportionate to the population (1st House would be elected, 2nd house would be chosen by the first house)

• Legislature to have wide powers, to elect both executive and judiciary

• States reduced to administrative units since the government had the power to veto state legislation

→ This plan was liked from the bigger states as they would be represented according to population

What was the New Jersey Plan which was drafted by Patterson? (Who liked this plan and was it successful)

• 1 House, with states having 1 vote each

• Congress given enlarged power including authority to tax and regulate commerce, but state sovereignty was conserved

• This was rejected

→ Smaller states preferred this plan, as they wouldn’t be outnumbered

→ The plan was rejected with 7-3 states

What was the Great Compromise of the government? (Connecticut compromise)

Achieved on 16th July 1787

• Senate- have equal representation of 2 members per state

• House of representation- proportional to population (Larger states had more rep)

• Direct tax would be distributed according to results of regular census

What was the Decision of slavery in the Great Compromise? (What did the South and North each want)

• Southerns wanted slaves to be included in population total for allotting congress seats, but were left out when deciding direct taxation

• Northerners wanted slaves left out of allotting congress seats but to be included as tax, as they were property

Convention accepted slaves as 3/5 of a person for both tax and representation

Who were the Federalists? (What was their ideology and who supported this?)

• They were supported by men of power, property, professionals and position, but also among many poor people

• These people wanted strong central government and less state power

• Every major town had federalist majorities, and they were engaged in commercial trade

• Owned mass majority of newspaper

Who were the Anti-Federalists? (What was their ideology and who supported this?)

• Many were small farmers in isolated areas, but some rich men supported them

• Many wanted a Bill of Rights

• They feared too much government power in war, tax etc. → thought it would limit state power

• Thought the convention exceeded the mandate of a new framework of government

What were the advantages of the Federalists? (4)

• They had a solution to the problems in the nation, opposed to the Anti-Federalist alternative

• They had support in most towns

• Had the support of Washington, Madison and Franklin

• Anti- Federalists were scattered and had no unity

How was the Federalist government created after the Philadelphia convention?

• They were authorised to maintain the army and navy, print and borrow money and make treaties with foreign powers

• They had power to levy tax and regulate trade

• They could make laws which the states had to follow

What were the states not allowed to do anymore after the creation of the Federalist government?

• The States were forbidden from waging war, engaging in diplomacy, coining money or laying duties on imports

• They couldn’t issue money or make treaties

→ Slave issue was left to the states, each could determine its own suffrage

→ interstate and internal trade could be regulated by the states

What was the role of the Federal Executive (President)? (What limits did the Congress have on him)

• To be commander-in-chief of the army and navy

• Appointing judges and diplomats (with Senate approval)

• Concluding treaties

• Veto acts of Congress (Could be overturned if a 2/3 Congress majority is reached)

• They were to be elected every 4 years by the electoral college

• Congress could remove him from office by impeachment for convictions of high crimes

What was the role/ makeup of the Federal Legislature (Congress)?

• Congress was made up of a House of Representatives and a Senate

  • The House was elected by voters for a 2 year term

  • The senate had 2 senators from each state elected by the state legislatures, who served for 6 years

• Congress had the power to raise money, make laws, declare war, ratify treaties (with a 2/3 senate agreement), impeach, and override a President’s veto by a 2/3 majority

What was the makeup of the Federal Judiciary?

• It was left vague but agreed that there should be an independent judiciary and a supreme court

• They were appointed by the President with approval of the Senate

Which 7 states ratified the constitution either unanimously or large majority from 1787-1790?

• Delaware

• New Jersey

• Pennsylvania

• Georgia

• Connecticut

• Maryland

• South Carolina

Initially Massachusetts was Anti-Federalist leaning, how did they end up reaching a majority in favour? (What document did they want)

Federalists put pressure on Sam Adams and Hancock when the convention met in January 1788

Adams was convinced to support and Hancock agreed when he was suggested the idea of him being vice-President → He wanted a Bill of Right

→ led to majority ratification

What was the Anti-Federalists issue with New Hampshire ratifying in June 1788 and how was it resolved? (Drunk)

Mostly Anti-Federalist at first

The Federalists were able to convince some delegates over meetings, and the day the ratification session went on, the Federalists managed to get the Anti-Federalists drunk so they missed their chance to vote

→ led to a majority in favour of Ratification

How was the ratification process of Virginia like, and how did they end up voting in favour of the Constitution? (What document did they want)

• There was a balanced force of Anti-Federalists and Federalists

• Washington’s and Madison’s support was crucial to gaining support

• They wanted a Bill of Rights

How was the ratification process of New York like, and how did they end up voting in favour of the Constitution? (Who created the Federalist Papers)

• Alexander Hamilton, Madison and John Jay wrote the federalist papers under an pseudonym to convince the state to ratify

• The opinion was further swayed when they heard of Virginia’s ratification

The election of 1789 gave Federalist control of the New government. The Federalists had the majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Who did the electoral college vote as President and Vice President?

President- George Washington

Vice-President- John Adams

Despite the economy expanding and the Anti-Federalists accepting the popular verdict and agreeing to practise in the new political system.

What problems did Washington face in his new government? (6)

• The USA was far from united (NC and RI still not in union)

• The Nation had an untried constitution

• There was colossal debt, and no revenue/ machinery to collect tax

• No Navy and had a army less than 700 men

• US western borders were open to attack

• British and Spanish troops still occupied national territory

Which 2 states ratified the constitution after Government proceedings had started and the Bill of Rights had been published?

• North Carolina

• Rhode Island

Why was a cabinet created?

When Washington entered the Senate to discuss Native treaties, they refused to discuss it with him, insisting on its independence

This forced Washington to look elsewhere for advice

Who was in Washington’s Cabinet?

• Secretary of the Treasury was Alexander Hamilton (Had knowledge of public finance and helped organise the bank of NY)

• Thomas Jefferson was the Secretary of State

• General Henry Knox was Secretary of War

During the ratification, there were criticisms of lack of popular rights. Some federalist States promised a Bill of Rights.

List the 10 rights which got ratified in September 1789?

• Freedom of Speech

• Freedom of Religion

• Freedom of Press

• Right to Petition

• Right to Form Assembly

• Bear Arms

• Immunity against arbitrary search and arrest

• Cruel and unusual punishment

• Quartering troops in private homes

• 10th amendment reserved all power to the states and the people, which weren’t mentioned in the Constitution

What was the Judiciary Act 1789?

• The constitution created a Federal judiciary but left details on structure and relation with State courts

• Established a hierarchical system of Federal Courts, with the Supreme Court at the top

• Upheld all federal laws and people’s rights throughout the nation

• Supreme Court could nullify state laws which violate federal constitution

Who was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

John Jay

What was mentioned in Hamilton’s report on Public Credit? (January 1790)

• Recommended the funding of domestic and foreign debt (£56 million) should be taken in by the Federal government, along with £21 million war debts

• Thought national debt would be a powerful cement of the Union, allowing it to create good finance and ensure credit for the future by paying off debts with tax

What was the Opposition to Hamilton to the first report on public credit?

• No opposition to the repayment of foreign debt, but the domestic debt caused an attack by Southerners as mostly all the debt was held by Northern speculators

• State debt was opposed by many, Southern states had provided payments of their debts and objected to paying a share of debts owed by Northern states

• Fear of expansion of federal power at the expense of the States

Why did Madison not support Hamilton’s first report on public credit?

It would be political suicide, as he was Virginian, and to support Hamilton and persuade Congress to reject the state debt proposal would damage his position

The First report on public credit was accepted by Congress, but what was the compromise to appease the Southern states?

The Permanent national capital of the US would be in the South at a site by the Potomac river to be chosen by Washington (Washington D.C.)

What was mentioned in the Second report on Public credit by Hamilton in 1790?

• National debt was soaring over $80 million, so 80% of the government’s annual expenditure was needed to repay the debts

• More revenue had to be found if the government wanted to remain financially stable

• In December 1790, a tax was proposed on distilled spirits and on home commodities which helped raise revenue for the debts

What was the Success and Opposition of the Second report on public credit?

• The value of government bonds rose sharply and the Federal government was able to borrow money at home and abroad

• BUT- there were political repercussions as Madison opposed the funding scheme as he thought it threatened the constitution and state power

  • In 1790, Virginian assembly protested that there was no clause in the constitution which authorised Congress to claim state debts

What was mentioned in the Report on the National Bank by Hamilton in December 1790?

• It proposed to create a National Bank- modelled on the bank of England

• It was to have a capital of $10 million (1/5 by government, 4/5 by private investors)

• It was to act as a depository for government funds → a place for tax collection, source of capital for loans to stimulate business and commerce etc.

What was the opposition to the report on the National Bank?

Madison said Congress didn’t have the power to charter companies or banks

Did the bill on the National bank be passed by Congress and what were the discussions in the Cabinet?

Yes, Washington consulted his cabinet

(Jefferson said Congress shouldn’t use powers not delegated to it, but Hamilton said it was necessary and he was only exercising powers as the levying of taxes and the regulation of currency and trade)

What was the success of the report of the National Bank?

• The Bank opened in 1791

• Over the next 30 years it contributed to US economic development

• Banknotes maintained their value

→ The bank however, was hated in the South and West and did not help Hamilton’s popularity

What was Hamilton’s report on Manufactures in December 1791?

• Hamilton was determined to encourage manufacturing, and created a plan for industrialisation through protective tariffs and government subsidies for new industries

• Congress passed a new tariff act in 1792 for revenue, but not all of Hamilton’s measures were met

What were the overall results of Hamilton’s financial programme?

It was successful as it restored public credit, ensured foreign capital flowed into the US and increased productivity

However, the union he wanted to strengthen was divided and many Southerners feared the programme was a form of the Federal government threatening political power over the states

Why did the Founding fathers not want to see political parties but why did they end up being created?

• They wanted to avoid political parties as they were corrupt and disruptive

• National parties soon arose due to disputes from Hamilton’s financial programme

• Jefferson and Madison contributed to the rise of republicanism due to fear of tyranny in the Federal government

What did the impact of the French revolution have on America in 1789?

• Inspired American debates on liberty, equality, and republicanism, influencing political thought, especially among Republicans (Jefferson)

• Created a split between Federalists (pro-British, sceptical of France) and Democratic-Republicans (pro-French, supportive of revolution).

• Led to Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation in 1793, avoiding direct involvement in the European conflict between France and Britain. (Britain was a big trading partner)

• The Reign of Terror in France increased fear of political violence in the U.S., strengthening Federalist calls for a strong central government.

Who was Citizen Genet and what did he do?

• The US recognised the new Jacobin government and received a French ambassador, Citizen Genet

• He organised a Jacobin club in America and received enthusiasm in his talks, showing the bonds of the French and American through revolutions were more powerful than a proclamation of neutrality

• Genet had overstepped when he captured British ships as a French privateer, when Genet threatened to appeal directly to the American people over the head of the President, Washington demanded his recall

What problems did America have with Britain in the 1790s?

• Americans were annoyed that Britain had not removed their military posts south of the Great Lakes which it had agreed in 1783, Britain also encouraged Natives to attack American settlers

• US commerce deprived Britain, as the US could now trade with other European countries, Britain also captured US ships to prevent them trading with their enemy, France

• It seemed the US and Britain were close to war in 1794, a bill was passed in the HoC to boycott British trade but it was rejected in the Senate

Washington, aware the US was unprepared for war with Britain sent John Jay to London in November 1794 to settle negotiations.

What was the Jay’s treaty?

• Britain promised to evacuate northwest forts by 1796 and agreed to submit American claims for compensation in ships, and granted Americans limited access to the West Indies

• In return, Britain would be the most favourable nation in American trade and Jay promised that French privateers would not be outfitted in American ports

• Jay failed to achieve compensation for the slaves Britain took at the end of the war and was forced to accept the British position on neutral rights at sea

What was the American response to the Jay treaty and was the treaty successful?

The treaty created uproar in the USA and the Republicans had denounced this agreement as a surrender and a pact with the Devils (Jay was burned in effigy and there were demands for his impeachment)

→ The treaty was successful, Britain gave up their forts and an economic boom followed as American trade with Britain and its empire increased

What were the American relations with Spain, and what were they like after Jay’s treaty?

• Spain had encouraged Natives to attack settlers

• By creating the impression that Britain and USA were drawing closer, Spain thought they may be thinking of a joint action against Louisiana

• Jay’s treaty caused Spain to soften their attitude to USA

What was Pickney’s Treaty in October 1795? (Treaty of San Lorenzo)

• Pickney, was sent to Madrid to create a treaty with Spain

• Spain granted the US free use of the Mississippi and the right to deposit goods in New Orleans

• New border lines with Florida

• Promised to restrain Native American attacks

• The treaty ended a decade of Spanish threat

What was the Western development under Washington? (What 2 new states were made)

Washington’s focus was to consolidate the US’s control of land between the Appalachians and the Mississippi

Americans edged Westwards throughout the 1790s and built 2 new States

→ Kentucky and Tennessee

What was Washington’s Native American policy throughout 1789-93?

• In 1789, Washington supported a policy to designed to create Native homelands, these were to help Natives who occupied these areas to become fully fledged Americans

• Treaty of New York (1790) was made with a native leader which restored some of the land given to Georgia to the tribe, proclamation was issued which forbade private or state encroachments on Native land

Was Washington’s Native American policy successful?

Washington found it hard to sustain

Georgia defied the Proclamation and sold 15 million acres to Western speculators and in the North, white settlers simply moved to the Native lands

Washington approved military expeditions into the Ohio Valley to put down Native tribe uprisings, he realised his vision of secure Native sanctuaries could not be enforced

What was the Treaty of Greenville in 1795?

• Northwest Native Americans suffered a crushing defeat by 5000 US troops at Battle of Fallen Timbers,

• In 1795, the Natives agreed to a treaty, which gave US the right to the land which became Ohio and Indiana

What were the differing opinions on Western Land policy?

Republicans (Jefferson)

• Sale of land in small chunks to settlers

• Cheap prices for land

Federalists (Hamilton)

• High land prices to enrich the treasury

• Sale of large pieces of land to speculators

The Federalist policy on western land prevailed, what were the details of the Land Act 1796 and was it successful?

• Congress extended regular servings of land but doubled the price per acre

• Land was surveyed into townships of 640 acres so it would be easier to sell

→ The cost of land was beyond most settlers and too pricey for some speculators, by 1800, only 50,000 acres were sold under the act

What was the Whiskey Insurrection in 1791-94? (How did it start)

• The tax on liquor had a heavy impact on farmers

• Lacking adequate transporting facilities, they found it difficult to dispose of their surplus of corn and rye unless distillation into whiskey

• In Western Pennsylvania, discontent turned into armed resistance. Mobs terrorised federal agents and prevented courts from functioning

• 6000 men gathered near Pittsburgh setting up mock guiltiness registering with revolutionary France

How did Washington deal with the Whiskey Insurrection and what was the American response?

Washington raised a militia of 13,000 men to deal with the trouble. Hamilton led the army suppressing the whiskey boys and granting pardon for those who took an oath for the federal government

→ Government showed their strength but alienated their Frontiersmen, Hamilton’s role created fear among republicans of a military dictatorship

Outline the events of the 1796 election?

• 1795 - Hamilton retired from Office

• 1796- Washington stood down as President → conflict over candidates and Hamilton’s scheming

• John Adams of the Federalists was voted as President, but due to election system, Republican Jefferson was voted in as Vice President