the first administration 1. the constitution became law june 21, 1788 2. congress called for...
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The First Administration 1. The Constitution became law June 21, 1788 2. Congress called for election for President
and Vice President 3. George Washington became President. a. He organized a Cabinet b. He chose men he knew and trusted 4, John Adams became Vice President
Political Parties Develop1788-1810
The United States was in debt a. Long costly war b. Weakness of the Articles of Confederation c. Treasury was empty Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of Treasury a. Recommended that four important financial measures
be taken 1. The $10 million debt to France and Netherlands be
paid off 2. The $44 million owed to people of the various states
was also to be paid 3. The central government was to take over debts that
the state run up during war 4. The United States was to issue government bonds
to raise much needed money
Alexander Hamilton’s Financial Plan
France declared war against England in 1793. Because the French helped Americans during Revolutionary war, France expected some help in
return Washington thought it unwise to get into another
war so soon Hamilton wanted the US to be neutral Jefferson thought US should help. Washington decided to stay neutral.
The Governments Progress
England and Spain continued to interfere with Americans as they moved westward.
British stirred up Indians by selling them whiskey and firearms
Indians fighting to protect their land that the settlers also claimed.
Trouble in the Western Lands
John Jay, a statesman and diplomat, was sent to London to discuss a treaty in 1794
He got the British to agree to leave the forts built on American soil.
Treaty not popular with Congress Washington urged its approval
Trouble in the Western Lands (con’t.)
Spanish controlled the Mississippi River and New Orleans and a part of Florida
Americans need them for trade Spain agreed to permit free navigation on the
Mississippi This opened up the Port of New Orleans Florida territory was turned over to the US
Spain Agrees to Treaty
Washington was asked to serve a second term
He accepted with failing health
George WashingtonThe First President (1789-1797)
Differences in political ideas started emerging towards the end of his second term
He refused to serve a third term He was tired and wanted to return to his Virginia
home He died two years later at age 67
Washington (con’t.)
He had no example to follow Chose excellent advisors Put country on its feet financially and politically Kept country out of European conflicts Called “Father of His Country” because of his many contributions
Washington (con’t)
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison wanted states to have more power to run their own affairs
Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan was not a big hit.
Opponents did not want the central government given more power over states
The Two Party System
The Democratic-Republican Party formed with Thomas Jefferson leading the way
The new party supported stronger state government
Federalist party supported stronger central government
The Two Party System (con’t)
The Federalists chose John Adams for President The Democratic-Republican Party chose Thomas
Jefferson for President Held the election in 1796
The Second President
Adams won president and Jefferson got Vice President
The out come put Adams in difficult position He favored a strong central government Jefferson supported strong state government
The Second President (con’t’)
When Adams took office several European countries were at war with each other
American neutrality policy angered the French They began to take American supply ships
Problem with the French
Adams wanted to avoid war In 1800 French agreed to stop interfering with
ships They refused to pay claims for earlier shipping
losses. Americans not pleased. Wanted government to
take stronger action
French Problems (con’t)
John Adams was not a popular President He was honest and loyal American Also arrogant and stubborn Newspapers did not support him New immigrants joined opposing party
The Decline of the Federalists
Federalist wanted to take action to regain control Alien Act Alien acts of 1798, immigrants had to wait 14
years to become US citizens Could be deported or imprisoned if found to be
dangerous
The Alien and Sedition Acts
Sedition Act A crime for anyone to speak out, write or print
articles against the government Those who did were convicted paid $5,000 fine Serve up to 5 years in prison Became major issue in election of 1800 Republicans thought these laws violated the
Constitution
First real contest between the two parties a. Federalists- supported the incumbent (in-
office) President, John Adams 1. Picked Charles Pinckney to be his running mate
The Election of 1800
b. Democratic-Republican-supported Thomas Jefferson 1. The farmers, small businessmen, and the and the ordinary workers liked him. 2. Chose Aaron Burr of New York to be his running mate
An unusual problem arose Constitution stated each member of the electoral college was to vote for two candidates. Person with highest number of votes would become President
Election 1800 (con’t)
The person with the second highest number would become Vice-President Jefferson and Burr each had 73 electoral votes Adams had 65 Because of the tie the House of Representatives had to decide
Election 1800 (con’t.)
Congress found it difficult to choose between Jefferson and Burr The Federalists wanted Burr a. His views were closer to the Federalists than Jefferson
OR
Hamilton’s Influence
Alexander Hamilton was in influential Federalist He had very little respect for Jefferson’s political ideas He thought even less of Burr a. Jefferson thought he could not be trusted Hamilton was able to swing the vote in Jefferson favor. Jefferson became President and Burr Vice-
President
*Burr killed Hamilton in a dual** see handout
Hamilton Influence (con’t.)
The constitution was ratified in 1804. The 12th amendment prevented another tie situation The electors would vote for each. a. President b. Vice-President
Every state chose a certain number of electors Each elector cast a ballot That made it possible for the President and Vice-President to be of different parties
The Electors – An Explanation
Was President for 8 years Got country organized Major influence in decline of Federalist Party Rich land owner of Virginia Many thought he was untidy and not friendly Intelligent Graduated from William and Mary College in Virginia
Thomas Jefferson
Author of Declaration of Independence Believed government could only do what
Constitution allowed Moved nation’s Capital from Philadelphia to Washington DC in 1800
Jefferson (con’t.)
Alien and Sedition Act Expired a. those imprisoned under that act was released, charges removed from record b. the residence requirement for new citizens was lowered to 5 years
Jefferson’s Accomplishments in Office
The Federal debt was substantially lowered The United States Military Academy at West Point was established Slaves could no longer be imported The acquisition of the Louisiana was completed
Jefferson learned Spain signed over a large region of land over to France.
The “mouth of the Mississippi” was an important port for international trade
United States made agreement with Spain to navigate the lower part of the
Mississippi for imports
The Louisiana Territory
Two years after France and Napoleon Bonaparte took control, this agreement was withdrawn US had no outlet for Eastern trade Jefferson did not want to go to war with France Jefferson needed to talk Napoleon into selling New Orleans and small region nearby to him
Louisiana Territory (con’t.)
President Jefferson sent James Monroe to Paris in 1803 Was to buy as much land as he could with 10 million dollars
Louisiana Purchase
US Ambassador to France, Robert Livingston, was already negotiating with Napoleon in Paris
Bonaparte offered to sell the entire region for 15 million dollars
Louisiana Purchase (con’t)
The US could get 823,000 square miles for about 3 cents an acre
Louisiana Territory became part of the US on December 20, 1803.
US now controlled the entire Mississippi River. Merchandise could be transported to the port of
New Orleans Louisiana’s land was rich and fertile It was divided into 13 additional states
The Importance of The Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson sent group led by Lewis and Clark into newly purchased Louisiana Territory
The trip took 2 years They started in St. Louis and went to Pacific
Ocean and came back by a different route
Lewis and Clark
The expedition was aided by an Indian guide Sacajawea She was able to get supplies from Indian tribes The expedition was able to provide nation with
info about climate, land, animals, and Indian tribes
Lewis and Clark (con’t)
Vice-President Burr decided to run against Alexander Hamilton for Governor of New York
Hamilton said Burr could not be trusted in Government
Burr was insulted
Jefferson’s Second Term
Burr wanted revenge and challenged Hamilton to a duel
On July 11, 1804 the two men fought Burr shot Hamilton, who died 30 hours later
At this time, England and France were at war The US was neutral and traded with both France
and England Both France and England did not look favorably
on the US
Jefferson Avoids War
Jefferson believed the oceans were a neutral area and ships could go as they pleased
France and England had a different view Each country put up blockades
Jefferson knew England and France both needed supplies from America
He proposed that all American ships stay home Hoped this would force France and England to
allow American ships into their ports
Congress passed the Embargo Act on on December 22, 1807 No American ship could trade with foreign nations Jefferson called it “peaceful coercion”
The Embargo Act
American merchants resent the embargo act. Many shippers went against the law The act was a failure Jefferson repealed the Embargo Act in 1809
before he left office
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