America Under U.S. Constitution :America Under U.S. Constitution An Introduction


America Drafts George Washington :America Drafts George Washington Americans had overthrown both the British & the Articles of Confederation. U.S. Constitution established a strong central government. (Americans still feel wary) Finances were also precarious. (Debt) It would be up to new government to build a republic. (Outsiders skeptical of the American experiment)


America Drafts George Washington :America Drafts George Washington George Washington unanimously drafted by Electoral College in 1789. Took Oath of Office in New York City. (Temporary Capital) Washington set first precedent: he created the cabinet. Sec. of State Thomas Jefferson & Sec. of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton


Congress Gets Busy :Congress Gets Busy Bill of Rights taken up by Congress. James Madison wrote the Bill of Rights. (He got 2/3 vote in both chambers of Congress) States approved them in 1791. 10th Amendment stipulates that powers not explicitly delegated to Federal government are reserved to states.


Congress Gets Busy :Congress Gets Busy Judiciary Act of 1789 established the Federal Court System. Supreme Court, Federal & Circuit Courts, and Attorney General. John Jay became first Chief Justice of Supreme Court.


Hamilton’s Economic Policies :Hamilton’s Economic Policies Hamilton was the key figure in Washington’s Administration. Fiscal policies to benefit the wealthy. (Rich would lend money and support government) Wealthy Americans would prosper and this would trickle down to masses. #1 objective: fix national credit.


Hamilton’s Economic Policies :Hamilton’s Economic Policies Hamilton urged Congress to pay off the national debt & interest. ($42.4 million) State debts would be paid also. ($21.5 million) Tie states to Federal government. Tie wealthy creditors to Federal government. Massachusetts loved it; Virginia hated it. Virginia caved in since it got the District of Columbia.


Hamilton’s Economic Policies :Hamilton’s Economic Policies Total debt: $75 million. (Federal Domestic Debt, Debt Owed Foreigners, & State Debt) Where would the money come from? Tariff imposed 8% tax on imports. (In part to protect infant industries) Hamilton wanted the Industrial Revolution to come to America. (He supported protection.) Hamilton envisioned a Commercial & Industrial America.


Hamilton’s Economic Policies :Hamilton’s Economic Policies Hamilton secured passage of tax on whiskey. Distillers in the backcountry hated it. (Making liquor was a necessity for them) Hamilton favored a National Bank. It would be privately owned & would hold surplus revenues. It would stimulate economic growth & print money. (But was it Constitutional?)


Hamilton vs Jefferson :Hamilton vs Jefferson Jefferson argued against creating the National Bank. (Strict construction) Jefferson: only states can charter banks. Hamilton: if the Constitution doesn’t forbid it, then it is permitted. (Loose construction) Hamilton argued the Bank was “necessary and proper” to regulate commerce. Hamilton won. (Precedent for federal powers)


Whiskey Rebellion :Whiskey Rebellion Whiskey Rebellion exploded in Pennsylvania. Pioneer folk considered tax extremely unfair. Tarred and feathered revenue officers. Washington summoned the militia. The “Whiskey Boys” dispersed. The Federal government asserted its power.


The Rise of Political Parties :The Rise of Political Parties Hamilton’s policies angered states righters. Political parties never envisioned by Founding Fathers. Organized opposition would undermine unity. Until this time, factions existed, but they were only temporary. (Federalists & Antifederalists)


The Rise of Political Parties :The Rise of Political Parties Jefferson & Madison never anticipated that opposition to Hamilton would lead to creation of a new political party. Different views printed in newspapers and this led to creation of two-party system. Federalists & Democratic-Republicans Political parties keep balance in government.


The French Revolution & Neutrality :The French Revolution & Neutrality French Revolution widened differences between the two parties. Some Feds. were wary of “radical” leveling while Dem.-Reps. cheered. But the Revolution turned violent and it engulfed Europe. France vs England and US stuck in the middle.


The French Revolution & Neutrality :The French Revolution & Neutrality US bound by Franco-American Treaty of 1778. Dem.-Reps. wished to honor the pledge. (We must fight for France) Washington believed US needed to avoid war. Washington understood US was too weak to participate.


French Revolution & Neutrality :French Revolution & Neutrality Neutrality Proclamation (1793) Helped cement isolationist tendencies in foreign policy. Washington’s decision was very controversial since he didn’t consult Congress. Edmond Genet caused controversy. Neutrality actually benefited the French.


Problems with Britain :Problems with Britain Britain attempted to use Indians to reign in expansion of US. (Sold firearms) Little Turtle defeated US armies on frontier. Anthony Wayne won at Fallen Timbers. Treaty of Greenville (Indians gave up claims of Old North West)


Problems with Britain :Problems with Britain British boarded US merchant ships headed to French West Indies. Impressed sailors or thrown into dungeons. Dem.-Reps. want war against George III (At minimum issue an embargo) Feds. opposed such actions. (Want economic cooperation with England)


Problems with Britain :Problems with Britain Washington sent John Jay to Great Britain. Britain will withdraw forts on US soil & pay damages for recent ship seizures. Didn’t stop future seizures or impressments. Didn’t promise to stop giving arms to Indians. US must pay debts to British merchants. Dem.-Reps. outraged with Jay Treaty.


Problems with Britain :Problems with Britain Jay’s Treaty led to Pinckney’s Treaty of 1795. Spain promised to allow use of Mississippi River and gave up claims on disputed territory. Washington did not seek a third term. Farewell Address warned against entangling permanent alliances. America was on a stable course.


John Adams Becomes President :John Adams Becomes President John Adams chosen as the Fed. candidate. (Hamilton too controversial) Thomas Jefferson was Dem.-Rep. choice. Dem.-Reps. ran against harsh treatment of Whiskey rebels and Jay’s Treaty. Adams won in Electoral College. (71-68) Jefferson was VP. (Fixed by 12Th Amendment)


Adams & Foreign Policy :Adams & Foreign Policy French infuriated by Jay’s Treaty. France said it violated the Franco-American Treaty of 1778. French began to seize US merchant vessels. French refused to recognize new US envoy. Adams sent John Marshall to calm tensions. XYZ Affair (You want to meet the French foreign minister, you must pay large bribe.)


Adams & Foreign Policy :Adams & Foreign Policy Create Naval Department, established Marine Corps., new 10,000 man army authorized. Dem.-Reps. opposed these measures. Undeclared war from 1798-1800. Britain and US drawn closer together. Adams sent an envoy to make peace. (Conservative Federalists outraged)


Adams & Foreign Policy :Adams & Foreign Policy Convention of 1800 severed military alliance between US and France. Deal struck with Napoleon. This experience explains future apprehension concerning “entangling” alliances. John Adams made Louisiana Purchase possible by avoiding war.


Adams & Domestic Policy :Adams & Domestic Policy Anti-French frenzy permitted Federalists to pass undemocratic laws. Alien Laws Raised residence requirements for aliens who wished to become citizens to 14 years. This was done to cut down Dem.-Reps. voters. President empowered to deport or imprison immigrants during times of war.


Adams & Domestic Policy :Adams & Domestic Policy Sedition Act Cut into Freedom of Speech & Press. If you impede policies of government or falsely defame officials, you go to prison or pay a heavy fine. Jeffersonian editors arrested. Sedition Act set to expire in 1801.


Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions :Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions Alien & Sedition Acts were popular. In 1798-1799, Feds. Won Congressional elections by a wide margin. Jefferson felt he must challenge the Alien & Sedition Acts. (Thought nation in danger) Kentucky Resolution (Thomas Jefferson) Virginia Resolution (James Madison)


Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions :Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions Federal government was agent of 13 sovereign states. States were the final judge if Federal government broke contract with states. Jefferson introduced idea of nullification. Feds: people created Federal Government. Only Supreme Court decides constitutionality. Implications greater than anticipated.


Approaching the Election of 1800 :Approaching the Election of 1800 Federalists: rule by the “best” people. Distrusted full democracy for masses. Favored a strong central government. Government should support private enterprise. Pro-British in sentiments.


Approaching Election of 1800 :Approaching Election of 1800 Dem.-Reps. demanded a weak central government. Support from middle class & underprivileged. States should retain the bulk of power. Jefferson favored agrarian economy. Jefferson believed that masses were teachable and could make wise decisions. But he still only supported educated voters.


Approaching Election of 1800 :Approaching Election of 1800 Jefferson believed slavery was necessary evil. Pro-French in sentiments. The stage was set for a new election. Could US survive the Election of 1800?