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UNIT 3
ESTABLISHING A NEW NATION 1789-1824
UNIT BASICS
 In the 1790s George Washington presided over the creation of a new government.
 Although Washington warned against the “spirit of party,” political parties were created during his presidency.
 Party division, territorial growth, and war in Europe shaped US History in the early 1800s.
 A period of strong nationalism emerged in 1815 after the end of a second war with Great Britain.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
A. What were the major achievements of Pres. Washington and the 1st Congress?
George Washington and the 1st Congress established executive departments (State, Treasury, War), created a federal
court system with a Supreme Court and passed a revenue tariff. In addition, the 1 st Congress adopted the First 10
Amendments to the Constitution. Known as the Bill of Rights, the 1 st 10 amendments were ratified in 1791.
B. What policies did Alexander Hamilton adopt to strengthen the nation’s finances?
To fund the federal debt, Hamilton, the first Secretary of the treasury, raised money through excise taxes, tariffs and
the sale of western land. Hamilton also proposed that the federal government take over states’ debts. To create a
strong national currency, Hamilton created a bank of the United States, a private bank in which the federal
government deposited federal funds. In showing that the new government was financially responsible, Hamilton’s
policies strengthened the power of the federal government.
C. What criticisms were leveled at Hamilton’s financial policies?
The tariff created higher prices and some states resented having to pay towards the debts of other states. Farmers in
western Pa. protested the excise tax on whiskey, a protest that ended when Washington sent in federal troops (led by
the President himself). The Bank of the United States also faced much opposition. Critics of the 1 st BoUS charged that
it favored the wealthy; it favored northerners and was unconstitutional.
D. How did the French revolution affect the United States?
At first most Americans supported the French Revolution which began in 1789. However, American attitudes began
to change in 1793, when France declared war on England, Spain and Holland. Pres. Washington claimed neutrality in
the conflict.
E. Why were political parties created?
Political and economic differences between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson helped launch the first two
political parties. Federalists, followers of Hamilton, supported a strong federal government, a loose interpretations of
the Constitution, a bank of the United States, and revenue tariffs. Federalists also supported England in its war
against France. Democratic-Republicans, followers of Jefferson, opposed the Federalists on all of these issues.
F. What were the important issues during john Adams presidency?
John Adams, the second president of the United States, served at a time of great division between political parties and
a potential war with France. Federalists, who controlled the government, passed the Alien and Sedition Acts to
silence Democratic-Republican criticisms and prevent war with France.
F. What were the important issues during john Adams presidency?
John Adams, the second president of the United States, served at a time of great division between political parties and
a potential war with France. Federalists, who controlled the government, passed the Alien and Sedition Acts to
silence Democratic-Republican criticisms and prevent war with France.
G. What happened in the election of 1800?
After a tie in the Electoral College, Thomas Jefferson was elected by the House of Representatives to be the third pres.
Of the United States. Jefferson’s election established an important precedent with the peaceful transition of power
from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans.
H. Who was John Marshall?
As Chief justice of the Supreme Court from 1801-1835, John Marshall handed down decisions that strengthened the
federal government and the power of the Supreme Court. Marshall’s decisions strongly supported private property
and helped establish American free market system.
I. How did the US gain Louisiana?
President Jefferson, compromising his principle of following a strict interpretation of the Constitution, purchased
Louisiana from France. This purchase doubled the size of the nation and gave the US full control of the Mississippi
River.
J. Why did the US go to war in 1812?
In 1810 a new generation of political leaders known as War Hawks, were elected to Congress. These new leaders
pressured President Madison to go to war with England. The causes of the War of 1812 included England’s violation
of freedom of the seas, the problems that Americans had with Indians in the Northwest, and the desire to annex
Canada. The war ended with treaty that restored conditions as they were before the war.
K. What was the Era of Good Feelings?
The Era of Good feelings was a period following the War of 1812 that was characterized by strong nationalism and
only one major political party.
L. What was the American System?
During the Era of Good Feelings, Henry Clay introduced the American System, a proposal to make the US
economically self-sufficient. His plan included a Second Bank of the United States, protective tariffs and internal
improvements at federal expense.
M. What were the most important issues during James Monroe’s presidency?
While James Monroe was president the US obtained Florida from Spain and issued a unilateral statement, known as
the Monroe Doctrine, declaring that the US would not allow European colonization or interference in Latin America.
Observe good faith and justice towards all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with al. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and
can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it? it will be worthy of a free enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great Nation, to give
to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt that
in the course of time and things the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady
adherence to it?
. . . the experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature.
-George Washington, Farewell Address, 1797
If there be any among us who wish to dissolve this Union or change it’s republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the
safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.
-Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, 1801
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS:
1. George Washington inaugurated, 1789
15. Louisiana Purchase, 1803
2. Judiciary Act, 1789
16. Lewis and Clark expedition, 1804-6
3. First Bank of the United States, 1791
17. Jefferson’s Embargo, 1807
4. Proclamation of Neutrality, 1793
18. War Hawks elected, 1810
5. Whiskey Rebellion, 1794
19. Battle of Tippecanoe, 1811
6. Jay’s Treaty, 1795
20. War of 1812, 1812-15
7. Pinckney’s Treaty, 1795
21. Hartford Convention, 1814
8. Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796
22. Treaty of Ghent, 1814
9. XYZ Affair, 1797-8
23. Battle of New Orleans, 1815
10. Alien and Sedition Acts, 1798
24. The American System, 1815
11. Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, 1798-9
25. Era of Good Feelings, 1817-1825
12. Revolution of 1800
26. Adams-Onis Treaty, 1819
13. midnight judges, 1801
27. Monroe Doctrine, 1823
14. Marbury v. Madison, 1803
IMPORTANT PEOPLE:
28. George Washington
36. Edmond Genet
29. Thomas Jefferson
37. John Marshall
30. John Adams
38. Sacajawea
31. James Madison
39. Henry Clay
32. James Monroe
40. William Henry Harrison
33. John Jay
41. Tecumseh
34. Alexander Hamilton
42. Andrew Jackson
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
43. excise tax
49. The Death of Alexander Hamilton
44. tariff
50. impressment
45. loose v. strict interpretation
51. protective tariff
46. Federalists
52. internal improvements
47. Democratic-Republicans
53. Virginia Dynasty
48. 12th Amendment
Content Courtesy of Jim Smith: whyteachhistory.com