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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.