Launching A New Nation

GO-SECOND PRESIDENTS

THE NEW REPUBLIC 1789-1823

  • George Washington’s Inauguration
  • James Monroe’s Doctrine

Washington’s Presidency: Foreign and Domestic Plans

  • Transformed the ideas of the Constitution into a real government
  • Title: Precedent President
    • Cabinet: Collection of Advisors
    • Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson (Deals with foreign affairs)
    • Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton (Deals with financial affairs)
    • Secretary of War: Henry Knox (Deals with military)
  • Political Parties emerged
    • Federalists (Hamiltonians) vs. Democratic-Republicans (Jeffersonians)
  • Aim: What were the aspects of George Washington’s domestic and foreign policies?

THE JUDICIARY ACT OF 1789

  • After the Constitution was written, it stated that the U.S. would have a Supreme Court but did not explain how the rest of the court system would work.
  • Congress passed the Judiciary Act to set up the federal court system
    • Organized the new U.S. court system to function effectively
    • Helped balance power between state and federal courts
    • Set the stage for judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws unconstitutional
  • Created three levels of courts:
    • Supreme Court: the highest court in the country
    • Circuit Courts: middle-level courts that hear appeals
    • District Courts: local courts that handle most federal cases first
  • Set the number of Supreme Court justices at six (one chief justice and five associate justices)
  • Gave the Supreme Court power to review certain state court decisions to decide if state laws contradicted the Constitution
  • Allowed people to appeal cases from lower courts to higher ones.

COMPLETE GEORGE WASHINGTON PRESIDENCY STATIONS

  • The documents cover Washington's domestic and foreign policies
  • Aim: What were the aspects of George Washington’s domestic and foreign policies?

WASHINGTON'S FOREIGN POLICY

  • George Washington's presidency (1789-1797) was notable for several foreign policy achievements:
    1. Jay's Treaty:
      • Relations with Britain worsened in the early 1790s.
      • Key provisions included the withdrawal of British soldiers from posts in the American West, a commission to settle outstanding border issues between the U.S. and Canada, and a commission to resolve American losses in British ship seizures and Loyalist losses during the War of Independence.
    2. Proclamation of Neutrality:
      • In spring 1793, a war erupted between Great Britain and France, and Washington proclaimed American neutrality on April 22, 1793, which condemned any American assistance to nations at war.
    3. Pinckney's Treaty:
      • Aimed to secure recognition of American borders from Spain, defined boundaries with Spanish colonies, and guaranteed navigation rights on the Mississippi River.
  • Washington's Farewell Address included significant advice:
    • "It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world…"
    • "Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all."
    • "The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible."

WASHINGTON'S DOMESTIC POLICY

GEORGE WASHINGTON: "THE PRECEDENT PRESIDENT"

  • Washington established many important precedents that serve as guidelines for future presidents:
    • Establishing A Cabinet:
      • Appointed four advisors:
        • Thomas Jefferson (Secretary of State)
        • Alexander Hamilton (Secretary of the Treasury)
        • Henry Knox (Secretary of War)
        • Edmund Randolph (Attorney General)
    • Two Term Limit:
      • Stepped down after two four-year terms without seeking reelection.
    • Neutrality in Foreign Affairs:
      • Believed the new nation needed time to grow and should avoid getting involved in foreign issues.
    • Adding the Words "so help me God":
      • Credited with these words at the end of his presidential oath during the inauguration.
    • Inaugural and Farewell Addresses:
      • Every president since Washington has given an inaugural address and a farewell address at the end of their presidency.
    • Addressing the President as "Mr. President":
      • Settled on this title instead of other suggestions like "His High Mightyness."
    • Good Relationships with other Nations:
      • Emphasized building positive relationships with other countries based on peace and harmony.
    • Political Parties:
      • The debate at the Constitutional Convention revealed differences about how the government should be run, leading to the emergence of Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, establishing a two-party system.

WASHINGTON'S DOMESTIC POLICY

GEORGE WASHINGTON & THE WHISKEY REBELLION

  • Alexander Hamilton's tax on whiskey aimed to generate revenue for the new nation.
  • What Happened:
    • In 1794, the federal government passed a tax on whiskey, which was crucial for frontier farmers to transport corn.
    • Farmers in western Pennsylvania protested against the tax, leading to violence against federal marshals and disruption of court proceedings.
    • Washington called up 15,000 troops to put down the rebellion, scattering rebels without major conflict; most were pardoned or found not guilty.
  • Results:
    • First real test of new U.S. government's authority, showing the intention to enforce federal law.
    • The use of federal troops against citizens caused fear among the populace.
  • Primary Resource Document:
    • Washington's Proclamation on the Whiskey Rebellion emphasized the necessity of enforcement of laws for the Union’s essential interests.

WASHINGTON'S DOMESTIC POLICY CONTINUED

  • Hamilton's Financial Plan:
    • Aimed to pay off national debts from the Revolution
    • Proposed a national bank to manage taxes and print money
    • Faced opposition from James Madison regarding the constitutionality of a national bank
    • Hamilton favored a loose interpretation of the Constitution, while Madison favored a strict interpretation.

THE SECRET DINNER THAT BUILT WASHINGTON, D.C.

Closure Directions:

  • Task: Write George Washington’s biography in two paragraphs covering his domestic and foreign policies.

JEFFERSON VS. HAMILTON

LEARNING TARGET:

  • Understand how the conflicts between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton resulted in the emergence of two political parties.

THE FIRST POLITICAL PARTIES (1792)

  • Hamiltonians became Federalists
  • Jeffersonians became Democratic-Republicans
  • LEARNING TARGET: Understand how conflicts between Jefferson and Hamilton resulted in the emergence of two political parties.

FILL OUT THE CHART

  • LEADERS:
    • Republicans: Common people or wealthy elite? Common people
    • Federalists: More power - A central government or state governments? Central government
    • Republicans: Economic emphasis? Agriculture
    • Federalists: Economic emphasis? Manufacturing
    • Republicans: How should the Constitution be interpreted? Strict
    • Federalists: How should the Constitution be interpreted? Loose
    • Republicans: Foreign support? French
    • Federalists: Foreign support? British
    • Republicans: National bank? Against
    • Federalists: National bank? For
    • Republicans: Protective tariffs? Against
    • Federalists: Protective tariffs? For

STRICT VS. LOOSE INTERPRETATION

Strict Interpretation
  • Belief that the federal government should only do what the Constitution specifically allows
  • Limits federal power and protects state rights and individual freedoms
  • Held by Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans
Loose Interpretation
  • Belief that the government has implied powers beyond those listed directly
  • If the Constitution doesn’t forbid it, it’s allowed, expanding federal power
  • Held by Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists
  • Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause):
    • Provides Congress flexibility to make laws necessary to enact its powers
  • LT: Understand how the conflicts between Jefferson and Hamilton resulted in the emergence of two political parties

STRICT CONSTRUCTIONIST

  • Congress should exercise few implied powers
  • Limits government size

LOOSE CONSTRUCTIONIST

  • Congress should exercise many implied powers
  • Allows for a greater role in shaping events
Examples:
  1. Creation of a National Bank
  2. Buying the Louisiana Purchase from France
  3. Creation of a Judicial System
  4. Declaring the United States neutral in foreign affairs
  5. Negotiating a treaty with Great Britain to evacuate forts in America

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HAMILTONIANS AND JEFFERSONIANS

  • Jeffersonians: States' Rights and Strict Interpretation of Constitution
  • Hamiltonians: Properties and Rich; Loose Interpretation of Constitution

POLITICS AND STYLE

  • Events in France influenced U.S. politics and styles of clothing.
  • Democratic-Republicans favored informal styles
  • Federalists tended toward formal styles reflecting pro-British leanings

THE WHISKEY REBELLION

  • Context of the event
    • George Washington as President
    • Farmers (James Parker, Samuel Reed) were producing whiskey and angry about the tax
    • Government official (Alexander Reynolds) tasked with collecting the whiskey tax

WASHINGTON’S FAREWELL ADDRESS

  • Aimed at ensuring understanding of Washington’s Farewell Address and its significance

LAUNCHING A NEW NATION

ADAMS TO JEFFERSON PRESIDENCY

Do Now: Identify a political, historical, or celebrity role model and the qualities that make someone a role model.

  • HW: Adams and Jefferson reading and questions due tomorrow
  • Aim: How did John Adams confront domestic & international conflicts during his presidency?

FEDERALISTS VS. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICANS

  • Federalists:
    • Led by Alexander Hamilton
    • Believed in rule by educated elites and strong central government
    • Prioritized manufacturing and trade
    • Supported loose interpretation of the Constitution
  • Democratic Republicans:
    • Led by Thomas Jefferson
    • Believed in greater political power for common people and strong state governments
    • Prioritized agriculture
    • Supported strict interpretation of the Constitution

WASHINGTON’S FAREWELL ADDRESS (1796)

  • Washington did not seek a third term, aided by Hamilton in writing the address published in newspapers.
  • Warnings to Americans:
    • Avoid involvement in European affairs
    • Warned against “permanent alliances” in foreign affairs
    • Caution against forming political parties and to avoid sectionalism
  • Future presidents followed his advice against “permanent alliances” and two-term limit until 1940.

JOHN ADAMS' PRESIDENCY

ELECTION OF 1796

  • First election with voters choosing between political parties
    • Federalist: John Adams
    • Republicans: Thomas Jefferson
    • Adams wins, Jefferson becomes VP due to the original Constitution's provision
    • Issue: Sectionalism over national interests
  • Aim: How did John Adams confront domestic & international conflicts during his presidency?

ADAMS' PRESIDENCY

  • Directions: Read through the stations and answer the questions that follow.
  • Aim: How did John Adams confront conflicts during his presidency?

XYZ AFFAIR

  1. Relationship with France post-Washington
  2. Summary of the XYZ Affair:
    • Diplomatic incident due to French anger over Jay's Treaty
    • U.S. hints at war but Adams aims for peace
    • French ministers demanded bribes for negotiation
  3. Result: U.S. ship seizures, preparations for military expansion, cancelation of treaties with France.

ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS

  1. Rising political tensions
  2. Alien and Sedition Acts:
    • Naturalization Act: extended citizenship application time from 5 to 14 years
    • Alien Friends/Enemies Acts: allowed President to deport dangerous foreigners
    • Sedition Act: criminalized opposition to the government.
  3. Controversy: Laws were viewed as unconstitutional, limiting rights enshrined in the First Amendment

MIDNIGHT APPOINTMENTS/JUDGES

  • What were the midnight judges?
    • Adams aimed to appoint Federalists before leaving office, but appointments were not delivered on time.
  1. Judicial Review: Ability of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY RESOLUTIONS

  1. Reason for passing: Reaction to Alien and Sedition Acts
  2. Virginia Resolution: Argued federal government cannot exercise unwarranted powers
  3. Kentucky Resolution: Suggested states could nullify unconstitutional federal laws.

QUASI-WAR WITH FRANCE

  • Tensions with France led to the expansion of the navy and undeclared conflicts

ELECTION OF 1800

  • Each elector cast two votes before the Twelfth Amendment in 1804
  • Outcome saw Jefferson and Burr tie, resulting in a House decision.
  • Hamilton supports Jefferson due to his disdain for Burr.
  • Jefferson becomes 3rd president, leading to the first significant shift in political power peacefully.

JEFFERSON'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS (1801)

  • Emphasized majority rule with minority rights and equal protection under the law.
  • Advocated for peace, trade, and avoidance of foreign alliances.
  • Adopted a casual style for his inauguration, emphasizing accessibility to the public.

KEY EVENTS OF JEFFERSON ADMINISTRATION

  1. Marbury v. Madison (1803): Established judicial review; clarified courts' power over laws.
  2. Louisiana Purchase (1803): Acquired territory for $15 million, doubled the country's size, raised constitutional concerns.
  3. Lewis and Clark Expedition (1803-1805): Exploration of new territory.
  4. Embargo Act of 1807: Cut off trade with Britain and France, ultimately harmful to the U.S. economy.

JEFFERSON DECREASES SIZE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

  • Reduced military size and government expenses, eliminated internal taxes, favored free trade.

JOHN MARSHALL

MARSHALL COURT (1801-1835)

  • Expanded judicial power, reinforced federal authority over states, strengthened the judiciary.

NOTABLE MARSHALL COURT CASES

  1. Marbury v. Madison (1803): Established judicial review.
  2. Gibbons v. Ogden (1824): Affirmed federal authority to regulate interstate commerce, invalidated state monopolies.
  3. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Strengthened federal power, upholding the Constitution’s supremacy over state laws, established principle of implied powers.
  4. Worcester v. Georgia (1832): Affirmed Native American sovereignty against state laws but was ultimately ignored by the federal government.

NATIONALISM IN THE EARLY 1800s

  • Growing national sentiment in response to political, military, social, and technological changes.

LOUISIANA PURCHASE DETAILS

  1. Jefferson’s aim to purchase Louisiana to remove French presence near America.
  2. Napoleon’s decision to sell due to financial needs and concern over conflicts.
  3. Impact of doubling the U.S. size, control of critical trade routes.

WAR OF 1812

CAUSES
  • Napoleonic Wars
  • Impressment of American sailors
  • Conflict induced by Native Americans
  • Expansionist desires by War Hawks
TURNING POINTS
  • British burnt Washington D.C.
  • American victories in Baltimore and New Orleans led by Andrew Jackson.
IMPACTS
  • Loss of British support for Native Americans, increased American manufacturing, and promotion of nationalism.
  • Signified the beginning of Manifest Destiny.