Washington RetiresAnd it all goes down the crapper . . .
8.5a - Describe major domestic problems faced by the leaders of the new Republic such as maintaining national security, creating a stable economic system, setting up the court system, and defining the authority of the central government8.21b - Evaluate the contributions of the Founding Fathers as models of civic virtue
Washington bids farewell• Despite calls for him to run for a third term of
office, Washington declined.• In 1796, Washington delivered his farewell
address.
Washington’s Farewell Address• Washington
warned the nation to avoid :– Creating
political parties (too much unneeded tension)
The first political parties would form soon after Washington retired
Washington’s Farewell Address
• Washington warned the nation to avoid :– Sectionalism
(view the nation as a whole, instead of North/South)
Sectionalism would lead to the US Civil War
Washington’s Farewell Address
• Washington warned the nation to avoid :– Permanent
alliances (stay neutral in other nation’s business)
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (or NATO) is one of many alliances the US is a part of today
The First Political Parties• The US has always had a two-party system.• The first two political parties were known as
the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans.
The Federalists
• Started by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams.
• The Federalists had four key beliefs.
1. A Strong National Government
• The national government should play and active role in the economy
4. Pro-British foreign policy
• The US should try to strengthen their relationship with Great Britain.
The Democratic-Republicans
• This party was created by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
• They also had four core beliefs
1. Weak central government
• The national government should not interfere with the economy.
• “The government that governs best, governs least.” - TJ
2. No National Bank• If it’s not in the Constitution, the government
can’t do it. The National Bank is not in the Constitution.
3. Economy based on agriculture• Farming was the foundation of America and
the farmers should be supported
The Second President
• The Federalists won the next presidential election
• John Adams was elected as the second president. Thomas Jefferson was Vice President.
Friends become enemies
• Adams and Jefferson, once great friends, now argued over everything.
• Adams tried to keep the US neutral in a war between Britain and France.
The XYZ Affair• The US sent agents to France to negotiate
peace.• The French tried to bribe the Americans• This brought criticism of Adams from
newpapers.