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THE EARLY GOVERNMENT
1789-1816
George Washington
• George Washington took
the oath of office as
President on April 30,
1789.
• Washington’s
administration needed to:
1. Create a sound financial
foundation
2. Establish a solid
political system.
3. Insure national security
through foreign policy
decisions.
Executive Decision-Making
• Starting with
Washington, presidents
began seeking advice
from their cabinet.
• Cabinet-Group of officials
who head government
departments and advise
the President.
• The President appoints
cabinet members with
Senate approval, but can
dismiss without.
Hamilton’s Financial Plan
• With Washington’s approval,
Alexander Hamilton, the 1st
Sec. of the Treasury, set out
to put the U.S. on a sound
economic footing.
• Four Key Elements:
1. Assumption:
 Pay off American Revolution war
debts as well as the wartime debts
to the states.
2. A National Bank:
 Hamilton believed it would win the
U.S. support of the business
community.
 Congress chartered it in 1791.
Hamilton’s Financial Plan
3. Excise Tax:

Hamilton proposed that the
government raise revenues
by an excise tax on
whiskey.
4. Protective Tariff:

Congress rejected the idea
of protective tariffs.
 Hamilton’s plan raised
controversy, but it put the
new nation on a sound
financial footing.
 Passed through logrolling,
moving the capitol to
Washington D.C.
The Whiskey Rebellion
• In 1791, Congress taxed all
liquor with an excise tax.
– Seen as a “luxury” item.
• Farmers who grew the corn for
the liquor makers grew very
angry.
• Washington sent in the troops
and put down the rebellion.
• This showed that the new
Constitution worked!
(Commander in Chief)
Foreign Policy in the Federalist Era
• From 1789 to 1815, The French
Revolution and European wars
put pressures on the U.S.
• Washington and early
presidents tried to protect the
nation from this.
– Ex: Washington supported the
unpopular Jay’s Treaty.
• Jay’s Treaty-An unpopular
treaty that resolved conflicts
with Britain, but tightened our
economic ties.
Washington’s Farewell Address
• He followed up his
Proclamation of
Neutrality in 1793 with
his Farewell Address in
1796.
• Key Points:
1. Warned against
entangling alliances:
not to get involved in
foreign affairs.
2. Warned against
forming political
parties. (Factions)
The Two-Term Presidency
• After serving two terms,
Washington rejected a
3rd term.
• In doing so, he
established a tradition
that was not broken until
1940 and 1944, when
FDR won a 3rd and 4th
term.
• The 22nd Amendment was
passed as a result,
limiting a President to
two terms.
John Adams
• The first Vice President
and second President,
also focused on keeping
the U.S. out of war.
• He settled rather than
expand a naval war with
France (1798-1800)
• His actions divided his
Federalist Party, which
led to his failure in
winning a 2nd term.
XYZ Affair
• France seized American
ships, and asked for
money, but America
refused.
• The French sent 3 secret
agents to offer the
Americans a deal. (Bribe)
• Congress refused to
identify the names and
referred to them as X, Y,
and Z.
The Alien and Sedition Acts
• The Federalists passed these
acts in response to the French
Revolution.
• Designed to strengthen the
Federalist Party and weaken
the Republicans.
• Alien Acts-More difficult to
become a citizen and easier to
arrest and deport noncitizens.
• Sedition Acts-Easier to arrest
someone criticizing the
government.
Violating freedom
of speech and
press!
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
• The debate over
ratification revealed
the existence of
differences of opinion
on government.
• The formation of
political parties led to
constitutional
changes in the
method of electing the
President.
Hamilton vs. Jefferson
• Economy:
– Hamilton favored
manufacturing and trade.
– Jefferson favored
agriculture. (“Backbone
of America”)
• Government:
– Hamilton wanted the
federal government to
have more power.
– Jefferson wanted the
states to have more
power.
Election of 1800
• Thomas Jefferson
defeated John Adams in
the first peaceful
transition of power
between 2 opposing
groups in world history.
• It set a precedent for the
future of our civilized
government.
• 1st time there is a tie in
the Electoral College.
Check Point Question!
• If there is a tie in the Electoral College who
elects the President?
Election of 1800
• Problem:
– House was controlled by the
Federalists.
– Leader of the Federalists was
Hamilton who despised both.
(Jefferson/Burr)
• Result:
– House chooses Jefferson.
– Senate chooses Burr.
• Election of 1800 ends the
Federalist Party.
• 12th Amendment-President
and V.P. elected as one.
Hamilton/Burr Duel
• In July, 1804 sitting Vice
President Aaron Burr shot
and mortally wounded
Alexander Hamilton.
• Hamilton died the next day
from his wounds.
• Results:
– Burr was acquitted of the
charges.
– Ended Burr’s political career
long term.
– Federalist Party was further
weakened.
Strict vs. Loose Construction
• Hamilton’s financial plan
started the first national
debate between “strict” and
“loose” constructionists.
• Strict Constructionist-Favor
a narrow interpretation of
the Constitution.
• Loose Constructionist-Favor
a freer reading of the
Constitution that gives the
government room to act.
Case Study: The Marshall Court
• Under Chief Justice John
Marshall. (1801-1835)
• A series of decisions
strengthened the power of
the national government
and the judicial branch.
• 3 Critical Supreme Court
Cases:
 Marbury vs. Madison
 McCulloch vs. Maryland
 Gibbons vs. Ogden
Marbury vs. Madison
• Facts:
 President John Adams made a series of
“Midnight Appointments” before leaving office.
 He wanted to fill as many federal gov’t
positions with Federalists before leaving.
• Importance:
– Established the court’s most
significant right, judicial
review.
• Judicial Review-Declaring a
law unconstitutional.
McCulloch vs. Maryland
• Facts:
•
Maryland brought action against a cashier in the
Maryland branch of the Bank of the United States for
not paying tax the state imposed on the bank.
• Issue:
– Whether a state had the right
to tax a federal agency.
• Decision:
– The court ruled that the bank
was immune to state taxation.
• Result:
– Federal supremacy over state
law increased.
Check Point Question!
• What clause allows the government to make
laws that are “necessary and proper?”
– Ex. National Bank
Gibbons vs. Ogden
• Facts:
•
•
•
•
Gibbons and Ogden were rivals.
Ogden received a steamboat license from NYS.
Gibbons operated steamboats between NY and NJ under
a license from the U.S. Gov’t.
Ogden petitioned the NY court to stop Gibbons.
• Issue:
– Whether the NYS statue that prohibited
vessels licensed by the U.S. from navigating
NY waters was unconstitutional.
• Result:
– Through a broad interpretation the
Supreme Court ruled that the gov’t has the
power to regulate interstate commerce.
Activism vs. Restraint
• Judicial ActivismBelieving the Court
should use this power to
help make public policy.
• Judicial RestraintBelieving that this power
should be used only to
decide on
Constitutionality of laws.
• The Court has acted in
both ways over our
history.
The Louisiana Purchase (1803)
• Jefferson doubled the size
of the United States.
• However, in order to do so
It meant adopting a loose
interpretation of the
Constitution.
• Jefferson went against his
beliefs and backed the
purchase. ($15 Million)
• Gave the U.S. access to the
port of New Orleans and
the Mississippi River.
The Louisiana Purchase (1803)
• Louis & Clark sent to
explore the territory and
search for a passage to the
Pacific.
• Results:
1. Size of U.S. doubled.
2. Controversy over powers of
the federal government.
3. Starts an idea that will
become Manifest Destiny.
• Manifest Destiny-Idea that
the U.S. should expand
coast to coast.
Embargo Act of 1807
• Jefferson proposed and
Congress approved.
• In retaliation to British
acts against U.S.
shipping.
• Banned trade with
other nations.
• Ended up hurting the
U.S. more than
Britain.
James Madison (1809-1817)
• Democratic-
Republican
• Considered the
“Father of the
Constitution.”
• One author of the
Virginia Plan.
• Proposed the Bill of
Rights to Congress.
• Gained popularity
after the War of 1812.
The War of 1812
• Cause:
1. Continued British
harassment of U.S.
shipping.
2. Impressment-The capture
of U.S. citizens and forcing
them into the British
military.
3. Trade restrictions between
U.S. and Britain.
4. Southern and “Western”
War Hawks encouraged
war for westward
expansion.
The War of 1812
• Major Events:
1. Burning of Washington
D.C.: British troops
entered and burned the
White House and Capitol.
2. Star Spangled Banner:
written during the attacks
on Baltimore by Francis
Scott Key
3. New Orleans: General
Andrew Jackson defeated
larger British Army,
became a national hero
The War of 1812
• Results:
1. U.S. won the war.
2. Increase in nationalism.
3. Reinforced belief in
neutrality.
4. American
manufacturing increased
when the U.S. was cut
off from European
imports. (New England)
5. Native Americans lose
their ally in Britain.
The Big Idea-Unit 3!
• The United States:
1. Benefited from the actions of our first presidents
as they put the new Constitution into effect.
2. Was influenced by the unwritten constitution
that developed through interpretations, actions,
court decisions, and customs.