The Federalist Era: Washington and Adams Study Notes

The Federalist Era: George Washington and John Adams

George Washington

  • Presidency Precedents: Washington established crucial precedents for future presidents, including the tradition of serving two terms in office.
  • Heads of Departments:
    • Thomas Jefferson - Secretary of State
    • Alexander Hamilton - Secretary of Treasury
    • Henry Knox - Secretary of War
    • Edmund Randolph - Attorney General
    • John Jay - Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

1st Congress

  • Bill of Rights:
    • Authored by James Madison; modeled after Virginia’s Bill of Rights.
    • Ratified in 1791, ensured individual rights were protected under the Constitution.

Foreign Policy

  • French Revolution:
    • Federalists opposed intervention in the French Revolution; fearful of revolutionary ideals spreading.
    • Anti-Federalists supported the French Republic, advocating for aid to France.
  • Citizen Genet:
    • A French envoy who sought to recruit American volunteers to fight for the French cause.
  • War between France and England:
    • Washington declared a policy of neutrality to avoid entanglement in foreign conflicts.
    • British navy’s illegal seizures of American ships headed for French ports constituted a violation of American sovereignty.
  • Responses to British Actions:
    • Jefferson advocated punishing England by cutting off trade.
    • Hamilton suggested appeasing England due to its considerable power.

Domestic Issues and Political Clashes

Assumption of State Debts
  • Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed on federal assumption of state debts.
    • Compromise: Hamilton agreed to move the nation's capital to the Potomac in exchange for assuming state debts.
National Bank
  • Dispute over the establishment of a national bank.
    • Hamilton’s Position: Supported a bank for government lending, essential for economic stability and growth.
    • Jefferson’s Position: Opposed the bank, arguing it was unconstitutional and would create a governmental monopoly on banking.
Tariff and Excise Taxes
  • Hamilton’s excise taxes on whiskey were enacted; however, tariffs faced opposition.
    • Jefferson argued tariffs would benefit industrialization at the expense of agriculture, contributing to poverty and pollution.
Constitution Interpretation
  • Perspectives on the Constitution:
    • Anti-Federalists (Jefferson/Madison) argued for strict interpretation, focusing on enumerated powers stated in the text.
    • Federalist Position (Hamilton): Supported a loose interpretation, endorsing implied powers not explicitly stated.

Formation of Political Parties

Federalist Party
  • Formed in 1792 by John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and others, focused on strengthening the national government.
Democratic-Republicans
  • Founded by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, advocating for states’ rights, limited government, and agrarian interests.
Root Causes of Political Parties
  • Differences in ideology between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans led to party formation:
    • Federalists emphasized national economy to uphold independence.
    • Tariff of 1789: implemented to raise government revenue through import taxes, angering farmers due to high costs.
Democratic-Republican Ideals
  • Advocated for:
    • States’ rights and local authority.
    • An agrarian society dominated by farmers.
    • Opposition to protective tariffs which were seen as detrimental to farmers.
    • Support for an alliance with France.

Whiskey Rebellion

  • 1794: Farmers in Western Pennsylvania revolted due to excise tax on whiskey. President Washington responded by leading 15,000 troops to suppress the rebellion, demonstrating federal authority.

Relations with Native Americans

  • 1794: General “Mad Anthony” Wayne led American forces to victory against Shawnee Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, facilitating white settlement in the Ohio Valley through the Treaty of Greenville. The British supplied Native Americans with weapons and alcohol, exacerbating tensions.

Challenges with England and Spain

Problems with England
  • 1794: The Jay Treaty negotiated by Chief Justice John Jay aimed to resolve issues concerning British seizures of American ships.
    • The treaty ultimately sought to avoid war but established that:
    • Britain could rightfully seize ships headed for French ports.
    • No compensation for American merchants whose goods were seized.
    • Granted ‘Most Favored Nation’ status, allowing American traders limited access to Caribbean markets, angering Democratic-Republicans.
Problems with Spain
  • 1795: Pinckney’s Treaty negotiated by Thomas Pinckney reestablished American rights of deposit in New Orleans, supporting westward expansion and assisting farmers in transporting goods via the Mississippi River.

Washington’s Farewell Address

  • Washington advised the nation to maintain unity internally and avoid foreign entanglements, cautioning against the volatility of European wars occurring every two decades.

The Election of 1796

  • Election results:
    • John Adams (Federalist): 71 electoral votes
    • Thomas Jefferson (Republican): 68 electoral votes
    • Thomas Pinckney (Federalist): 59 electoral votes
    • Aaron Burr (Republican): 30 electoral votes

Federalist Actions Against Democratic-Republicans

  • Naturalization Act: Extended the residency requirement for citizenship to 14 years; allowed for deportation of aliens without trial.
  • Sedition Act: Criminalized speaking out against the government, aiming to suppress dissent.

Republican Backlash: Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

  • Jefferson’s Kentucky Resolutions asserted state rights to nullify unconstitutional federal laws.
  • Madison's Virginia Resolutions emphasized the role of states in protecting citizens’ rights, highlighting the ideological divide with Federalists.

Problems with France

  • As the U.S. aimed for neutrality while selling goods to both England and France, Jay’s Treaty incited resentment from France, prompting them to treat the U.S. unfavorably.

Quasi-War and Military Expansion

  • Quasi-War: Increased conflict with France as they seized American ships bound for England.
  • The XYZ Affair: Diplomatic failure as French agents demanded bribes from American diplomats, inciting public outrage with the slogan: "Millions for Defense, not a penny for tribute."
  • Military expansions included:
    • Creation of the Department of the Navy.
    • Reestablishment of the Marine Corps.
    • Authorization of a new army of 10,000 men.

Resolution of Conflict

  • The Convention of 1800 was signed in Paris, leading to a peaceful resolution with France and preventing the outbreak of full-scale war.

American Political Climate

  • Tensions escalated with Federalists attempting to discredit Republicans as being pro-French.
  • A split within the Federalist Party emerged, with Hamilton’s faction called the High Federalists advocating for war with France, leading to increased internal political strife.