Chapter 7

Election Day in Philadelphia, 1815

  • Description of election day traditions in England and American colonies

  • Importance of election day in the newly formed republic

  • Artistic portrayal by German immigrant John Lewis Krimmel:

    • Scene outside the Philadelphia State House

    • Voters casting ballots through the window

    • Presence of a mixed crowd: gentlemen, women, children, dogs, and intoxicated tradesmen on Chestnut Street

    • Symbolism of American democracy depicted via chaos and energy in the gathering

  • Imagery includes a man on the balcony and an American flag

The Political Crisis of the 1790s

  • Overview of key political developments during the 1790s

  • Federalists Implement the Constitution

    • Expansion of political life through the Constitution: voters could choose national leaders

    • Federalists victorious in the 1788 elections: 44 seats in the House vs. 8 Antifederalists

    • George Washington elected president; John Adams as vice president

Devising the New Government

  • Washington's cautious leadership and his role in setting up government structures

  • Establishment of executive departments: Foreign Affairs (State), Finance (Treasury), War

  • Selection of cabinet members:

    • Thomas Jefferson (Secretary of State)

    • Alexander Hamilton (Secretary of the Treasury)

    • Henry Knox (Secretary of War)

  • Judiciary Act of 1789: congressional responsibility to create a national court system

    • Establishment of federal district courts and Supreme Court as last resort for appeals

The Bill of Rights

  • Federalists' promise to amend the Constitution; introduction of amendments to safeguard personal rights

  • James Madison's role in drafting the Bill of Rights

  • Ratification of ten amendments by 1791:

    • Individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and rights to legal procedures

    • Addressing fears of federal tyranny; ongoing debate about federalism

Hamilton’s Financial Program

  • Hamilton's role as the Secretary of the Treasury as a pivotal position for national development

  • Key components of Hamilton's financial policies outlined in reports:

    • Public credit and the redemption of Confederation securities

    • Controversy over proposed redemption leading to benefits for speculators

    • National Bank proposed to stabilize the economy

    • Revenue generation from tariffs and excise taxes

  • Public Credit: redemption and assumption explanations, focusing on:

    • The implication for speculators vs. ordinary citizens

    • Creation of a permanent national debt beneficial for the new nation

Creating a National Bank

  • Proposal for a national bank to enhance economic stability

  • Jefferson's opposition based on strict interpretation of the Constitution

  • Hamilton's counterargument favoring loose interpretation (Article 1, Section 8)

  • Congressional approval led by President Washington, facilitating the establishment of the Bank of the United States

Revenue Generation and Tariffs

  • Creation of revenue through tariffs and excise taxes

  • Hamilton's Report on Manufactures promoting economic development different from high protective tariffs

  • Success of tariffs leading to government revenue growth

Two Men, Two Visions of America (Jefferson vs. Hamilton)

  • Illustrations of contrasting political visions:

    • Jefferson's vision for an agrarian republic focused on farmers vs. Hamilton's support for merchants and industry

    • Impact of European conflicts on American political divisions

    • Jefferson's ideal of a democracy vs. Hamiltonian executive strength

Jefferson’s Agrarian Vision

  • Jefferson's view of society based on independent yeomen

  • Economic optimism amidst European upheaval and its benefits for farmers

    • Rise of prices for agricultural products due to European conflicts

The French Revolution and Its Challenges to American Ideals

  • American responses to the French Revolution and ideological divisions

  • Increasingly radical aspects of the French Revolution causing concern among elites

  • Reaction to the Reign of Terror and shifting American sentiments

The Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

  • Description of resistance against federal excise tax on whiskey

  • Washington's response by sending militia to suppress the rebellion

Jay’s Treaty (1794)

  • Diplomatic attempt to manage tensions with Britain

  • Controversial treaty terms that favored British trading while addressing American interests

The Haitian Revolution

  • Overview of the upheaval in Saint-Domingue and its implications

  • Description of the socio-political dynamics on the island leading to revolution

The Rise of Political Parties

  • Emergence of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties and their ideological splits

  • Critical views on Hamilton's policies leading to party factionalism

The War of 1812 and its Political Transformation

  • Underlying causes and context for the war against Britain

  • Events transpiring during the war and the tactical responses by both American and British forces

  • Political implications of the war and the decline of the Federalist Party

The Federalist Legacy and John Marshall’s Influence

  • Continued influence of federalist principles through the legal system via John Marshall

  • Overview of key rulings establishing judicial review and protecting property rights

The Diplomacy of John Quincy Adams

  • Expansion of U.S. borders through treaties with foreign powers post-war

  • Doctrine of non-interference articulated under Monroe Administration

  • Era of Good Feelings and the emergence of sectional divides within the Republican Party

Summary of Key Themes

  • Recap of public policies, westward expansion, political party developments, and federalist principles throughout the discussed periods

  • Overview of contrasting visions impacting American democracy and governance