UNIT 3: THE NEW REPUBLIC (1789-1825)

Two sides debated the nature of the democratic republic. The Hamiltonians (Federalists) believed that centralized power was not a threat to liberty. They supported the Constitution in 1787 and were overwhelmingly the party of the North, concentrated in Massachusetts and New York, characterized by urban areas. George Washington, though technically not a Republican, believed in a strong national government and national supremacy, where the national government is supreme over the states. Alexander Hamilton was a modern capitalist and manufacturing investor, aspiring for America to become like England, a superpower. Their foreign policy aligned with England because they did not want to be like France given the Reign of Terror and radicalism after the French Revolution. They argued for a loose construction of the Constitution, believing that it should adapt and that each generation will interpret the Constitution differently. They believed in expanding national government power to regulate commerce, tax, and prepare for war, and they supported a standing army in peacetime to project national security and order.

On the other hand, the Republicans (Jeffersonians) were against centralized power, believing it was a threat to liberty, and were called "Anti-Federalists" in 1787. They were a Southern, rural party without big cities, and they believed in a weak national government and state supremacy, where the national government is subordinate to the states; they believed in state sovereignty. Economically, they possessed an agrarian, slave-based economy with plantation owners. Their foreign policy sided with France due to revolutionary connections; Thomas Jefferson famously said, "The tree of liberty must sometimes be watered with blood." They advocated for a strict construction of the Constitution, believing that if something wasn't explicitly stated in the Constitution, it was not a power granted to the federal government, adhering to the enumerated powers. They thought a standing army was the greatest threat to liberty and would be used as an instrument of internal suppression.

Once ratified, the Constitution became a subject of debate for centuries concerning its meaning and whether it needed to adapt. The Constitution uses language but doesn't define it, establishing basic principles.

Washington's presidency enhanced his legend. He was put in command of the Continental Army and secured victory. He was offered dictatorship but turned it down, proving he could be trusted with power. As president of the Continental Congress, he possessed character, trust, and integrity. Washington was uniquely qualified and elected unanimously. He was trusted to have a moral center and put his country before himself. Being the first president was difficult, as there was no model before him, and he had to make things up as he went. Ultimately, he established a stable democratic republic that subsequent presidents could follow.

I. Overview of the Debate
A. Two sides: Hamiltonians (Federalists) vs. Republicans (Jeffersonians)

II. Hamiltonians (Federalists)
A. Beliefs
1. Centralized power is not a threat to liberty
2. Supported the Constitution in 1787
3. Predominantly from the North (Massachusetts and New York)
4. Characterized by urban areas

B. Key Figures
1. George Washington
- Believed in a strong national government and national supremacy
2. Alexander Hamilton
- Aspired for economic modernization akin to England

C. Foreign Policy
- Aligned with England; cautious of France post-French Revolution

D. Constitutional Views
1. Advocated for loose construction
2. Believed in expanding national government powers:
- Regulate commerce
- Tax
- Prepare for war
- Support for a standing army during peacetime

III. Republicans (Jeffersonians)
A. Beliefs
1. Centralized power is a threat to liberty
2. Known as "Anti-Federalists" in 1787
3. Based in the South, rural party
4. Advocated for a weak national government and state supremacy

B. Key Economic Features
- Agrarian, slave-based economy with plantation owners

C. Foreign Policy
- Supported France due to revolutionary ties
- Famous quote: "The tree of liberty must sometimes be watered with blood"

D. Constitutional Views
1. Advocated for strict construction
2. Believed in enumerated powers only
3. Viewed standing army as a threat to liberty
- Instrument of internal suppression

IV. The Constitution's Evolution
A. Ongoing Debate
- Discussion of its meaning and need for adaptation
B. Constitutional Language
- Uses terms that are not defined, establishing basic principles

V. George Washington's Presidency
A. Historical Context
B. Achievements
1. Secured victory as leader of Continental Army
2. Offered dictatorship but declined
3. Served as president of Continental Congress
4. Elected unanimously
C. Legacy
- Set a precedent for subsequent presidents
- Established a stable democratic republic