Chapter 10: Launching the New Ship of State
Why Bill of Rights?
All thirteen states had to ratify the Constitution
Nine states needed to “reset” the country, canceling out the Articles of Confederation
Conservative document that prevented the “mob” from controlling government
Was a surprise to the public
Anti-Federalists vs. Federalists
Anti-Federalists
States’ rights Backcountry
dwellers Small farmers Debtors S. Adams, P.
Henry, Richard Henry Lee
Federalists Strong federal
gov. Seaboard
dwellers Wealthy and
better educated Controlled the
press (The Federalist Papers)
G. Washington, B. Franklin, Madison, Hamilton, Jay
Election of 1789 Electors cast two
votes for President Each elector
selected Washington w/ at least one
NC and RI hadn’t ratified the Constitution
NY had problems deciding how electors would be chosen
Executive Branch (1789-1796)
Jo h n A da m sV ice -P res ide n t
T h om as Je ffe rsonS e cre ta ry o f S ta te
A lexan de r H am iltonS e cre ta ry o f th e T re a su ry
H e nry K n oxS e cre ta ry o f W ar
G e org e W a sh ing tonP res ide n t
• Cabinet not outlined in the Constitution – a “Washington Invention”
• John Jay named 1st Chief Justice of the five member Supreme Court
Congress at work…
James Madison sought to protect the Constitution and win over “the anti-Feds”
What he develops becomes known as the Bill of Rights (he is the “father of”)
One of the first acts done by the new Federal Government
Judiciary Act (1789) organizes the Supreme Court
Alexander Hamilton
Not a “natural” citizen (born in the Caribbean)
Federalist / aide to Wash in AR
Arch rival: Jefferson “Father of the National
Debt” Assumption fight and
compromise Debt was a “national
blessing” Bank of the United States
National Debt structure
Debt owed to Foreigners$11,710,000Federal Debt$42,414,000State Debt
$21,500,000
Miscellaneous Revenue
Customs Duties (tariffs)
Excise Revenue (Whiskey, etc.)
Whiskey Rebellion (1794)
PA farmers not happy with tariff Launch an “insurrection” Washington personally leads militia
into PA to restore order (direct opposite of Shay’s Rebellion)
Represents peaceful dialogue over violence in order to change policy
What caused parties to form?
Arguments over the French Revolution and American Foreign Policy
Political Rivalries
Democrat-Republicans
States rights (local)
Strict construction view
Agriculture based Rule of the people Backed France Support in S and
W Jefferson and
Madison key supporters
Federalists Federal rights Loose construction
view Industrial based Avoid “mob” rule /
elites Backed England Support in NE J. Adams and
Hamilton key supporters
Washington’s Farewell Address
Beware of entangling alliances…
…because they will get us involved in other
people’s wars.
Rating the Presidents
More notable American rather than President
Extremely popular at the time
Sets the bar for what a Pres. does
Foreign policy of neutrality
Prevents a “backslide” of revolutionary ideals
Election of 1796
President and V.P. come from different parties for 1st time
MD split the vote between the two
Other candidates vote count not depicted
President John Adams
Jay’s Treaty with England angers D-R and France.
Adams not well liked and comes to power in a very close, bitter election
Stuck between neo-Federalists led by Hamilton (not pro-British enough) and Jefferson’s D-R (anti-British)
France reacts by seizing American vessels at sea (300 by 1797)
Quasi-War w/ France (1798-1800)
John Marshall is sent to France to negotiate w/ Talleyrand
X Y Z
Quasi-War brought to you by the letters X, Y, and Z
They ask for a $250,000 bribe just to talk to Talleyrand
Marshall refuses and returns to America
“Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute”
Adams avoids war by appealing to new French ruler Napoleon
Convention of 1800 = “divorce” w/ Fr.
Alien and Sedition Acts
Federalists during war fervor pass laws to silence the opposition (D-R)
Alien Act Naturalization from 5 to 14 yrs President can jail or deport in time of
war Sedition Act
Impeding policies of the government = jail
Attacking officials in press = jail and fine
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Reaction to the Alien and Sedition Acts
Jefferson writes for Kentucky Madison writes for Virginia Develops the idea of “nullification”
The States have the right to ignore laws that the Federal Government “oversteps it’s authority on”
Constitutional issues were later a right the Supreme Court “adopts” in 1803.
John Adams
Extremely disliked at the time / abrasive personality
Doesn’t get caught up in war fever and does what was best for the country
Splits his party and loses in close election to Jefferson
Election of 1800 first peaceful transfer of power