AP US HistoryChapter 7:

Completing the Revolution: 1780-1815

George Washington (1789-1797)

The First CongressWhen it convened in 1789, the first Congress had a great

deal of work to doTaxes: passed a tariff as the chief source of incomeBill of Rights: James Madison proposed 19 amendments,

10 of which were ratifiedPresidential Cabinet: created the Departments of State,

War, and TreasuryCourts: passed the Judiciary Act of 1789, which created

the federal court system, including the Supreme CourtHad to deal with a very weak economy and crushing debt

Alexander Hamilton was appointed the first Secretary of the Treasury

His ideas helped to stabilize the economy and address debt

Hamilton’s Economic PlansIn 1790, issued his “Report on Public Credit”, outlining

the debts of the United States and his plans to address them and the economyFederal government would assume all debts, national and

state, left over from the RevolutionSecurities would be issued to creditors to pay off debtThe debt would be a permanent fixture, rather than

paying it offBank of the United States: created to manage debt and

taxesExcise taxes: issued on items such as alcohol, tea and

coffee to collect revenue and regulate to fund the debt

Opposition to HamiltonMany people opposed Hamilton’s plans, believing them

to closely resemble the tyranny that they fought to escapeBiggest critic was Thomas Jefferson

Supporters of Hamilton wanted a strong central government and the Bank, including George Washington

Supporters of Jefferson wanted less regulation and a farmer friendly economy

Compromise was made to accept the plan if the permanent capital was built in the SouthEventually, land in Virginia was used to build Washington,

DC

Foreign AffairsThe United States faced several struggles with foreign

nations in the 1790sAnglo-French War in 1793

Officially declared neutrality, but people chose their sidesCitizen Genet: French ambassador that attempted to gain

US support Angered Washington after he commissioned Americans to fight,

against the neutrality of the nation

Orders in CouncilIssued by Great Britain in response to GenetSeized American ships and impressed Americans into royal

serviceAided Native Americans in fighting settlers in the NW

Territory

Foreign AffairsBetween the Anglo-French War and escalation of

tribal violence in the west, Washington entered negotiations with Britain in 1794Sent John Jay to Britain, drafted Jay’s TreatyAddressed British occupation of forts on American

land, to which Britain promised to withdrawDid not address impressment or fair trade

Pinckney’s TreatyNegotiations between the US and SpainEnded a dispute of lands in the Southeast and gave

America access to the Mississippi River and New Orleans

Domestic AffairsThings weren’t any easier on the home front in the 1790sBattle of Fallen Timbers, 1794

Result of issues between tribes and settlers in NW TerritoryDefeated tribes near Toledo, OH, led by General “Mad

Anthony” WayneTreaty of Greenville: forced tribes to cede lands to white

settlers in Ohio and Indiana, causing more frictionsWhiskey Rebellion: skirmish in western PA in 1794

People refused to pay tax on whiskey, challenging federal authority

Washington sent army to Pittsburgh to end it, with little resistance

Washington’s Farewell and the Election of 1796In 1796, Washington was asked to run for a third term of

office, but he refusedFelt that change was needed to avoid looking like a kingSet a precedent that held until FDR in 1940

When he stepped down, he addressed the nation on several issuesAvoid political partiesAvoid getting involved in foreign affairs and treaties

Vice President John Adams was elected as the new presidentHis opposite, Thomas Jefferson, was elected vice presidentSet up a heated showdown in 1800

John Adams (1797-1801)

Adams’ PresidencyForeign relations were sticky as Adams came into

officeFrance broke off relations with the US after Jay’s

TreatyTo cool the tensions, Adams sent representatives to

France Resulted in the XYZ Affair

Three unnamed French officials refused to see the Americans Demanded a payment of $250,000 and a loan of $12 million “Not a sixpence” was paid, and the Americans returned home

In 1798, an undeclared naval war erupted between France and the United States

Adams’ Presidency Alien and Sedition Acts

Extended naturalization period from 5 to 14 yearsDeport immigrants without cause during wartime

and those “dangerous” to the United StatesPunished people that spoke ill of the government or

advocated disobedience Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Reaction by each state to the Alien and Sedition Acts

Nullified the laws, with the law not being renewed when it expired

Cost Adams reelection in 1800

Election of 1800One of the most important elections in the nation’s

historyPitted John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr in

a bitter partisan battle between Federalists (Adams) and Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson & Burr)Jefferson and Burr tied with 73 votes, eliminating AdamsThe House of Representatives were charged with electing

the PresidentFinally, after 35 votes, Jefferson was elected, with Burr as

Vice-PresidentA peaceful transfer of power took place as Adams

departed and Jefferson came in to officeSet a precedent that has existed since

Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)

Jefferson’s PresidencyOutlined his goals in his inaugural address

Smaller governmentElimination of a standing militaryProtection of civil liberties and states’ rights

Wanted to purge the government of his opponents, the FederalistsJohn Adams packed the courts with Federalist judges before

his departureRepealed the Judiciary Act of 1801, eliminating many judge

positionsMarbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the power of judicial reviewGives the courts power to decide on constitutionality of laws

made by the President and Congress

Jefferson’s PresidencyLouisiana: large tract of land controlled by Spain, ceded to

France in 1801Napoleon planned for a new French empireJefferson approached France about buying New Orleans to

keep American access to the Mississippi RiverInstead, Napoleon offered all of Louisiana for a price of $15

millionJefferson struggled with the constitutionality of the purchase,

but decided the benefits outweighed the consequences Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)

Meriwether Lewis and William ClarkSent by Jefferson to find a water route to the Pacific through

Louisiana and research the land, plants and animals of the purchase

Louisiana Purchase, 1803

Lewis & Clark Expedition, 1804-06

Jefferson’s PresidencyFirst term of presidency a great successSecond term, not so muchWar broke out again between Great Britain and France in

1804, lasting until 1815America profited from selling goods to both sides early in the warBritain controlled the seas, France the lands of Europe, resulting

in stalemate France issued the Berlin Decree to prevent trade with Britain Britain issued the Orders in Council, preventing French trade

However, British action against the United States pushed the nation closer to warLed to the Embargo Act of 1808Outlawed trade with all foreign nations, destroying the US

economy

James Madison (1809-1817)

Madison’s PresidencyJames Madison was elected to the presidency in 1808

Inherited a terrible situation, foreign and domesticResponded to the Embargo Act with the Non-

Intercourse Act Opened up trade with foreign nations except France and

Britain Mostly ineffective

Macon’s Bill No. 2, 1810 Opened up trade to all, but reserved right to reinstate

embargo against belligerents France baited the United States into war with Britain by

reopening trade

By 1811, Congress was discussing was with Britain

The War of 1812To protect American interests, a group in Congress called

the War Hawks called for war declarationNative Americans led by Tecumseh in the Northwest

Territory were thought to be instigated by BritainDefeated by General William Henry Harrison at Tippecanoe in

November 1811War Hawks outlined several British violations to justify war

Orders in Council and impressment of AmericansBritish spies in the United StatesInstigating the Native Americans on American soil

Madison addressed Congress in June 1812, calling for warWar declared on June 18, with no votes from Federalists

War of 1812Fought the British and Native Americans from 1812-1815

Tecumseh’s forces defeated at the Battle of the ThamesRed Stick faction in the South defeated at Horseshoe Bend

Many battles fought on the Great Lakes and in British controlled Canada

Final battle fought in January 1815 at New Orleans, a month after the war ended

Hartford Convention, 1814Federalist threat of secession over disagreement with the

warTreaty of Ghent

Restored previous bordersBritish agreed to leave forts in American territory