B

Course Schedule and Structure

  • Week Overview:

    • Today: Discussion on applying the Federalist Constitution and George Washington in the early republic.

    • Thursday: Focus on Thomas Jefferson and related topics.

    • Next Week: Spring break.

    • Quiz Information:

    • Due date: 22nd.

    • Quiz can be taken any time before the second exam.

  • Return from Spring Break:

    • Discuss Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.

    • Test scheduled for the last half of week 10.

Lecture Organization

  • Lecture Focus:

    • Primary focus on essay questions; quiz content accessible through textbooks or lecture notes.

    • Lecture may skip around important concepts, with non-critical content possibly omitted.

  • Exam Format:

    • Structure similar to the first exam, featuring essay questions.

    • Optional removal of the essay question on Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson's competing visions for the U.S.

    • Alternatively, choose to keep it for those who prefer it.

Foundations of the United States Government

  • Government Formation Post-Revolution:

    • Revolutionary War results in a government structure referred to as the Articles of Confederation.

    • The Articles proved ineffective due to the federal government lacking power.

    • The Constitution was created to rectify these weaknesses, mainly in Article I, establishing most of the government structure.

  • Constitutional Framework:

    • Article II outlines the executive branch, and Article III establishes the judicial system.

    • The Constitution reserves certain powers for the states.

Election System in the Early Republic

  • Presidential Elections:

    • In early elections: the candidate with the most electoral votes becomes President, and the runner-up becomes Vice President (e.g., Donald Trump & Kamala Harris).

    • The two-party system, as it’s known today, did not exist initially; founding fathers were unaware of its emergence.

    • George Washington, during his presidency, faced no formal political parties, though factions existed within his cabinet.

Key Figures in Washington's Cabinet

  • Cabinet Members:

    • George Washington: Appointed key figures to his cabinet, assembling a diverse group of brilliant minds:

    • Thomas Jefferson: Secretary of State; reflects a liberal political philosophy.

    • Alexander Hamilton: Secretary of Treasury; holds a more conservative, business-oriented view.

    • Henry Knox: Secretary of War; competent military leader.

    • Dynamics:

    • Tensions between Hamilton (business-centric) and Jefferson (agricultural-centric) reflect competing visions for America's future.

Early Capital and Native American Policy

  • First Capital:

    • Location: New York City serves as a temporary capital until a new capital can be established.

  • Indian Policy Development:

    • The early U.S. government focused on acquiring land from Native Americans while attempting to assimilate them into American culture, primarily through education.

    • Significant tribes involved in this assimilation efforts included the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek (Muskogee), Chickasaw, and Seminole.

Presidential Precedents Set by George Washington

  • Two-Term Tradition:

    • Washington voluntarily limits to two terms, setting a precedent maintained for over a century (until the 22nd Amendment in 1951).

  • Title of the President:

    • Washington rejected titles like “His Most Benign Highness” in favor of the simple title, Mr. President.

Economic Issues and Hamilton's Policies

  • Hamilton's Financial Vision:

    • Advocated for federal assumption of state debts to legitimize the new government and ensure economic stability.

  • Assumption Plan:

    • Proposal where the federal government takes on states' debts, with agreements made to appease states that had paid their debts (e.g., Virginia, Maryland).

    • Resulted in locating Washington D.C. between Virginia and Maryland to gain their support.

  • Contention in Cabinet:

    • Jefferson and his followers oppose Hamilton's focus on business interests and prefer an agrarian-based economy supporting small farmers.

Political Polarization and the Emergence of Parties

  • Initial Political Factions:

    • Differing visions led to the emergence of informal political factions, laying the groundwork for formal political parties that arise by 1800.

  • Alien and Sedition Acts:

    • Implemented by John Adams, restricting immigration and penalizing actions against the government, seen as targeting Democratic-Republicans and suppressing dissent.

    • Their introduction polarized public opinion and led to political strife, exemplifying the contentious early political landscape.

Historical Context: Thomas Paine and George Washington

  • Thomas Paine's Criticism:

    • A vocal advocate for individual liberty, critiqued George Washington as a hypocrite for siding with business interests over revolutionary ideals.

  • The Apotheosis of Washington:

    • Represents Washington's revered status; depicted akin to a divine figure symbolizing the nation's idealistic values.

Important Historical Relationships

  • Adams and Jefferson:

    • Their relationships shifted from allies to rivals, showing the complexities of early American politics.

    • Correspondence continued after their presidencies, reflecting deeper philosophical and political convictions of the early republic.

Summary of Washington's Legacy

  • Influence on Future Presidents:

    • Washington portrayed as an almost mythic figure, influencing how subsequent presidencies are perceived, with later presidents struggling under the weight of his precedent.

  • Exit from Presidency:

    • Retired to private life, where he ultimately dies due to medical malpractice involving bloodletting, revealing the inadequacies of contemporary medicine.

  • Warnings in Farewell Address:

    • Advocated for political neutrality and warned against foreign entanglements and growing party divisions.