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Foner Chapter 8
Securing the Republic: 1790-1815
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Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
•
(1787) After months of heated debate
between federalists and anti-federalists
re: the Constitution, the argument ends
(1788) New Hampshire becomes 9th state to ratify
o Good-bye Articles of Confederation, hello
Constitution
o
•
(1789) With a new government in place,
Congress must elect a leader of the
executive branch
o
George Washington receives 69 out of 69 votes
becoming America's 1st president
Washington's Presidency 1789-1797
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Unchartered territory
o
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The precedent established by the 1st president
would be enormous
Washington's cabinet included Thomas
Jefferson as secretary of state, Alexander
Hamilton of the treasury
Washington believed in a strong
national government; supported
Hamilton's federalist economic
plans; anti-political parties
Washington's Presidency 1789-1797
History Channel's The President's (start-13:14)
The Age of Passion: Political Parties
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Towards the end of Washington's first term
the political/ideological divide between
Hamilton and Jefferson (and their
associates) grew
o
"Civilized Societies would be divided into different Sects,
Factions, & interests, as they happened to consist of rich & poor,
debtors & creditors, the landed, the manufacturing, the
commercial interests, the inhabitants of this district or that
district, the followers of this political leader or that political
leader, the disciples of this religious Sect or that religious Sect.
In all cases where a majority are united by a common interest or
passion, the rights of the minority are in danger. What motives
are to restrain them?"
-James Madison (on why political parties were harmful)
The Age of Passion: Hamilton v. Jefferson
• Both were main figures in creating the
American political landscape
o Federalists v. Republicans
o both had differing opinions re: the nation’s path
 E.g., Jefferson thought America’s success was via
westward expansion and farming; Hamilton
thought it was via manufacturing and commerce
 E.g., Jefferson put his trust in the people as
governors; Hamilton distrusted popular will
 E.g., Jefferson had a strict view of the
Constitution; Hamilton had a loose view
The Age of Passion: Hamilton's Economic Plan
Hamilton's Economic Plan
1. Amass wealth/establish credit
o people would loan the American government money;
national government would assume responsibility of all
war debt (The Compromise of 1790—over dinner
Jefferson agreed to the national government assuming all
debt in exchange for the national capital moving south)
2. Creation of a national bank
o issue money, lend money, hold money
3. Tax whiskey and imported good
o create revenue and promote domestic production
The Age of Passion: Hamilton's Economic Plan
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Reaction to Hamilton's Plan
Jefferson was very much against Hamilton's
plan
unconstitutional expansion of federal authority
(i.e., nowhere is a national bank mentioned in the
Constitution)
o served northern, commercial interests (over
southern, farmers)
o those who were able to invest in the United States
would benefit greatly (whereas the average/poor
American would not)
o
The Age of Passion: The French Revolution
•
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(1789) When the revolution broke out in France nearly all
Americans were in support
o people fighting against an tyranny
The revolution quickly became more extreme and this
radical turn created a split among Americans
o King Louis 16th was beheaded; public violence (Reign of Terror—
thousands of suspected enemies of the revolution were murdered);
fighting for the rights of women and the poor
 The Federalists (e.g., Hamilton, Washington) were against the
revolution as it was becoming too uncontrolled/anarchy;
supported Britain in their fight against the French (British were
civilized and a potential financial partner)
 The Republicans (e.g., Jefferson, Madison) were in support of
the revolution as it was an extension of a global republican
struggle and seeked to end aristocratic dominance
The Age of Passion: The French Revolution
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Despite the fact that both the British and the French
asked for American help, President Washington
adopted a policy of neutrality
o Federalists wanted to help Britain, Republicans France
o America continued to trade with both sides
 Britain began attacking American ships, confiscating goods, and
forcing kidnapped sailors to serve on their ships
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As a result, Chief Justice John Jay negotiated a treaty with Britain
o
Jay's Treaty—an agreement between America and Britain in which the
British would abandon posts in the west (something that should have
been done after the Revolutionary War anyway) and the United States
would grant them favorable trading status (put their interests above
the French)
 passed in the Senate 20 to 10 (exactly 2/3 that was required)
 the treaty was seen as a failure for the United States and further
enraged Republicans
The Age of Passion: The Whiskey Rebellion
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In order to raise revenue, Hamilton taxed whiskey
o farmers were the ones most affected as they distilled and
sold whiskey
o (1794) in Western Pennsylvania a group of angry farmers
attacked the home of a tax collector—The Whiskey Rebellion
o In order to stop the uprising in a more efficient manner than
uprisings of the past (e.g., Bacon's, Shay's), Washington sent
13,000 federal troops to PA
•

uprising over
The Federalists viewed the end of the rebellion as
a success--federal army keeping the peace;
whereas the Republicans saw use of a federal
army as dangerous
The Age of Passion: The Election of 1796
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With Washington stepping down after
serving two terms, winning both times by
unanimous vote, the presidency was now up
for grabs
o
Federalists v. Democratic-Republicans
 Federalists were calling Republicans French agents,
anarchists, traitors
 Republicans were calling Federalists monarchists, corrupt,
seeking a pro-British aristocracy
o
would be first ever election where political
candidates would run for office as members of a
specific party
The Age of Passion: The Election of 1796
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John Adams (f) v. Thomas Jefferson (dr)
o
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both parties turned to the people for support
 created pamphlets and posters; held rallies
John Adams (71 votes) beats out Thomas
Jefferson (68 votes)
o
under the rules at the
timerunner-up became
vice president (Jefferson)
Adams' Presidency 1797-1801
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Adams had large shoes to fill and lingering foreign and domestic
issues to address
o
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Washington was perhaps the most revered and loved American in
history; relationship with France; growing political differences; vice
president was someone with complete opposite beliefs
(1797) XYZ Affair—Adams sent diplomats to negotiate with
France but the French required a loan and a bribe before
negotiations could start; Adams rebuffed their offer and made
their request known to the public ("x, y, z" signify the names of
the 3 French officials)
o
this incident was good for the Federalist agenda


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American support of France weakened
American-British relations became even stronger
Congress/Adams passed new taxes to help grow the national military
Adams' Presidency 1797-1801
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(1798) Alien and Sedition Acts
o
Alien Act—allowed government to deport anyone
they deemed "dangerous"
 government viewed "foreigners" as a threat to national
security
o
Sedition Act—persecution of any assembly or
publication critical of the government
 government (i.e., Federalists) wanted to stop criticism
•
"unbounded thirst for ridiculous pomp, foolish adulation,
and self avarice" [caused him to be imprisoned]
-rep. Matthew Lyon (VT) (criticizing Adams)
o These acts were good for the Republican agenda
 "reign of witches" -Jefferson
Election of 1800
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John Adams (f) v. Thomas Jefferson (dr)
o
o
DR's won both houses of Congress
Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr both received the
same amount of votes for president (73)
 the tie would go to the House of Representatives
 vote after vote neither man received a majority
•
Hamilton eventually steps in to work out a plan where the worser
of two evils, Jefferson, would receive a majority of the votes
 Jefferson wins (10-2)
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Burr would later kill Hamilton in a duel (not directly related to
Hamilton blocking Burr)
The Adams presidency weakened the Federalists
o
Federalists began to jump ship and swim over to
the Republicans
Jefferson's Presidency 1801-1809
• Jefferson wants to limit the role of national
government in American life
o leaving Americans “free to regulate their own
pursuits”
o pardoned those imprisoned by the Sedition Act
o abolished the Whiskey Tax
o preached friendship to all nations, allegiance to
none (like the Federalists had with Britain)
o paid off part of the national debt
o turned focus away from building up the army/navy
o reduced the number of government employees
Jefferson's Presidency 1801-1809
History Channel's The President's (21:25-3040)
Jefferson's Presidency 1801-1809
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(1803) Marbury v. Madison
o on John Adams’ last night as president he appointed several DC
justices (midnight judges); Madison, the new Secretary of State
refused to sign the paperwork, making all Adams’ appointments null
•
 the judges sued (one being William Marbury) to keep their jobs and the
case was heard by the Supreme Court
Importance?
o Supreme Court became chief interpreter of the Constitution and could
now declare acts of the Legislative and Executive branches
unconstitutional
o the principle of judicial review is born—judging whether a law/act
violates the Constitution or other basic principles of justice
o precedent is set by this case to ensure that government acts comply
with the United States Constitution.
o became an equal part of government (alongside executive and
legislative)
Jefferson's Presidency 1801-1809
• (1803) The Louisiana Purchase—Jefferson
purchased the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon of
France for $15 million; doubling the size of the
United States
o France needed money quickly to fund their war;
Jefferson wanted to secure the Port of New Orleans,
open up more farming territory
 “(farmers) were the chosen people of God”
o Jefferson goes against his own principles—strict
interpretation of the Constitution—when he
purchases land from a foreign power (this isn’t
mentioned in the Constitution)
Jefferson's Presidency 1801-1809
Jefferson's Presidency 1801-1809
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Britain and France continued fighting
o international law stated that neutral nations were allowed to
trade nonmilitary goods with countries at war
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 By 1806 both Britain and France were blocking the United States
from trading with each other
Embargo of 1807—a ban on American ships sailing for foreign
ports, created by Jefferson, in an effort to stop American ships
from being captured, destroyed, make both France and Britain
realize their need for American goods
o Jefferson once again goes against his principles of “weak
national government”
o by 1808 American exports dropped by 80%; neither France or
Britain noticed
 negative effect on the America economy, Jefferson creates the
(1809) Non-Intercourse Act—banning trade with Britain and
France only
Madison’s Presidency 1809-1817
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James Madison (dr) comes into office facing serious
issues: British/French war; poor economy due to
Embargo/Non-Intercourse Act
(1810) Macon’s Bill No. 2—free trade would resume,
but if either Britain or France interfered the president
could reinstate the Embargo/Non-Intercourse Acts
o France stood down, Britain continued to interfere
 Madison reimposed the embargo on Britain
o Britain’s continued interference enraged certain politicians (Henry
Clay) and the cries for war began (War Hawks)
 the War Hawks wanted to defend American honor against Britain;
annexation of Canada and Florida
Madison’s Presidency 1809-1817
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War of 1812—a war between America and
Britain/western Native Americans for the rights to
American land and open seas
o in hindsight, declaring war on Britain was a very dangerous
decision
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 Britain had a stronger military/economy than America (but was
still preoccupied with France)
America was forced to fight a two front war: Native
Americans in the west, British along the eastern
coast/New Orleans
o with neither side making any headway/wanting to continue
fighting, the two sides signed the (1814) Treaty of Gent
 officially ending the war with no changes in land/no rules
being created re: shipping/trade
The end of the Federalist Party
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The Federalists legacy:
o driving force behind the ratification of the U.S. Constitution
o authored some of the most important documents in American history (the
Federalist Papers)
o established America’s economic identity
o in power the first 12 years of America’s post-Constitution existence
(1814) Hartford Convention—a meeting of prominent Federalists that
took place in Hartford, Co to discuss the future of their party
o
o
o
o
o
domination of the federal government by the Republicans
declining influence as western states entered the Union
expanding agricultural American vision
questionable theory—New England wanted to secede from the Union
called for Constitutional amendments (e.g., remove 3/5th Clause)
Due to the (perceived) failures of the Adams’ administration, combined
with Republican presidential/congressional reign for 16 years, the
Federalist party eventually becomes the minority and fizzles out
Chapter 8 Take-Away’s
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Formal American political parties are formed during
Washington’s presidency—Federalists/Hamiltonians v.
Republicans/Jeffersonians
o Federalists want strong national government; have loose
interpretation of Constitution
o Republicans want weak national government; have strict
interpretation of Constitution
Hamilton’s economic plan wanted to establish credit/raise
revenue by taxing whiskey and imports
o leads to Whiskey Rebellion
Adams’ (1798) Alien & Sedition Acts hurt the Federalist party
o changing of the guard—Federalists lose power to Republicans
(1803) Marbury v. Madison leads to judicial review
o Supreme Court becomes equal part of government
Chapter 8 Take-Away’s
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(1803) Louisiana Purchase doubles America’s land
o helps Jefferson’s westward expansion/pro farming platform
Jefferson’s (1807/1809) trade embargos hurt economy
o exports decrease by 80%
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The War of 1812 was uneventful
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o no land was exchanged; no new terms re: trade/shipping
The Federalist party fizzled out towards the end of Madison’s
presidency (1815ish)
Why should I care about this chapter?
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Formal political parties are created and their ideals shaped
o the same argument that started between Hamilton’s Federalists and
Jefferson’s Republicans is currently going on—strong or weak national
government—as is the idea of “my political views are right, yours are
wrong”
Political campaigning is created
o the same types of campaigning, albeit on a much larger scale, occurs
today (e.g., “our policy is good, theirs bad”)
“Thank you, Jefferson!”—every person who has ever been to Mardi
Gras
o Louisiana Purchase opened up westward expansion (consequently allowed
for Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Pimp my Ride)
Marbury v. Madison makes sure that Congress and the president are
kept in check and help interpret a document created nearly 250 years
ago