The Early Republic pt 2/ Federalist vs Republicans

Second Exam:
- Quiz to be posted today after class.
- Quiz will be available on Sunday as usual.
- Follow-up test scheduled for Monday.
- Students expected to attend class.

Date: Wednesday of next week (March 18).
Class will meet at the library instead of the usual classroom.
Assignment designed as a "research scavenger hunt" to promote library usage.
Assignment In-charge: Miss Connie, the librarian.
Students will receive a written assignment to be completed and submitted to Miss Connie for points.
Expectation that the assignment will not take the full class duration of one hour and fifteen minutes.
Reminder of activity to be posted prior.
Objective: Familiarize students with research resources in the library.

Written assignments from last week have been graded and will be entered into the Canvas Gradebook later today.
Most students earned full credit.
Requirement was to discuss two weaknesses that the Constitution addressed; failure to do so led to point deductions for some students.
Office Availability: Students can review their grades in office hours, but evaluations will not be returned.

Washington’s Decision to Retire:
- After two terms in office, Washington was ready to retire.
- Initially, he considered serving for life as President, based on constitutional expectations.
- He was pressured by advisors to run for a second term due to fears of a contested presidential election.
- When he left office after two terms, he established a precedent that all future presidents followed, voluntary limiting themselves to two terms.
Constitutional Amendment:
- A formal limitation on presidential terms was not enacted until the twentieth century.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) is noted as the only president who defied this precedent, serving four terms due to national turmoil amid the Great Depression and World War II.
Impact of Washington’s Presidency:
- Washington was careful in his use of executive power, easing fears regarding the concentration of power in the presidency.
- He helped navigate the early, unstable years of the US government after the ratification of the Constitution.
- His farewell address, largely penned by James Madison, advocated for two principles:
- Thinking nationally over regionally.
- Staying out of European affairs, advising against entanglement in external conflicts to focus on domestic stability.
Enduring Advice:
- This isolationist stance largely guided US foreign policy until the modern world conflicts of the twentieth century.

Election of 1796:
- Following Washington's retirement, the first election without his candidacy led to a highly contested race between the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
- Candidates:
- Federalist Leader: Alexander Hamilton wanted a candidate who could be easily controlled, hence they nominated John Adams (Washington's vice president).
- Democratic-Republican Leader: Thomas Jefferson was chosen, leading to fierce competition.
Election Dynamics:
- The Federalists and the Republicans utilized a burgeoning partisan press against each other.
- Candidates remained aloof, refraining from direct campaigning, while their supporters engaged in fierce attacks on the opposing candidate's character.
- Adams’ Image:
- Despite being highly qualified and intelligent, his personality was often deemed unlikable, which affected his appeal.
- Adams aimed to prevent the presidency from mimicking a monarchy which was an affront to the founding ideals.
- Jefferson’s Challenges:
- Cast as aligned with revolutionary France, further polarizing views against him.
Constitutional Mechanics:
- Presidential electors cast two ballots (one for president, one for vice president); the process differed significantly from the present system.
- This led to the unique situation where Adams became president and Jefferson became vice president, creating inherent tensions due to opposing party affiliations.

Political Landscape:
- Adams' presidency faced immense difficulty due to the division in political loyalty within his administration, primarily appointed by Washington.
Foreign Policy Crisis:
- The quasi-war with France emerged from existing tensions due to the French Revolution and the neutrality of the United States.
Harassment of Shipping:
- Both Britain and France were seizing American ships and resources; Jay’s Treaty with Britain helped, but further escalated tensions with France, ultimately leading to diplomatic failures.

Diplomatic Incident:
- Unsuccessful negotiations with French officials labeled as agents X, Y, and Z sparked outrage in the United States.
- American sentiment shifted towards hostility against France, igniting calls for military action.
Political Divisions:
- Federalists, generally pro-Britain, sought war, while Democratic-Republicans favored peace.

Military Build-Up Initiatives:
- Federalists enacted military buildup against the possible French aggression, establishing a navy and expanding the army despite a lack of immediate threats.
Alien and Sedition Acts:
- This legislation aimed at controlling immigration and limiting freedom of speech against the government; deemed unconstitutional and signaled federal overreach.

Nullification Theory:
- Jefferson and Madison articulated responses to federal overreach through state legislations—Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions—favoring states to challenge unconstitutional federal laws.
Impact on Political Theory:
- Introduced the concept of nullification, emphasizing state rights over federal authority which would reverberate in future conflicts of governance regarding state and federal power dynamics.

The political landscape amidst Washington’s resignation marked the beginning of enduring partisan divisions and shaped the governance framework within the new nation, navigating through challenges both domestically and internationally, setting foundational precedents for future administrations.