Getting Off to a to a Good Start:

The Early National Period lasted from 1789 to 1824. The new

government was tested to see if our republic could last.

Political Developments: Presidents:

Washington 1789-1797 Adams 1797-1801 Jefferson 1801-1809

Madison 1809-1817 Monroe 1817-1825

George Washington: • Served as president

from 1789-1797 • His power was tested

under the Whiskey Rebellion

• Washington developed a cabinet

• He established the tradition of serving only two terms.

• After his term, the first political parties developed over the issue of a National bank.

• In Washington’s Farewell address he warned the nation to avoid alliances and political parties...

The Federalists: pro-bank

• Federalists were led by John Adams and Alexander Believed in a strong Believed in a strong national government

• Supported by bankers and business in the Northeast

• Hamilton wanted the bank to help establish a stronger American economy

The Democratic-Republicans: anti-bank

• Led by Thomas Jefferson

• Believed in a weak national government and agricultural economy

• Supported by farmers, artisans and frontier in the South

• Jefferson opposed the National Bank because the power to create it was not in the Constitution. He was a strict-constructionist.

Election of 1800

• Election was close, won by Jefferson

• First time power was transferred between parties PEACEFULLY.

• It also proved that political parties were going to be permanent in America

This election was nearly lost by Jefferson. He actually tied with his running mate, Burr, as the electoral college proved it could not handle political parties. An amendment was added to the Constitution to “solve” this problem.

John Marshall:• The power to declare

a law unconstitutional (judicial review) was established in Marbury v. Madison

• McCulloch v. Maryland prohibited states from of the taxing agencies of the federal government

• “the power to tax is the power to destroy”

• Marshall, a Federalist, served on the court from 1801-1835. His decisions helped to strengthen the power of the Federal government.

Louisiana Purchase: 1803

• Purchased from France

• Doubled size of U.S.

• Jefferson questioned if this purchase was legal.

Louisiana Purchase: 1803

• Jefferson authorized Lewis and Clark to explore the new territory and gather scientific information.

• Sacajawea, a ““First American” woman, served as their guide and translator.

War of 1812:

• America needed to fight the British again as War Hawks sought parts of Canada, and to end the British impressment of sailors, and to end the British agitation of Indians in the West.

• The American victory produced some claim to the Oregon Territory and increased migration into Florida (later acquired from Spain).

The U.S. later gained the above portion of Oregon in an agreement with Britain (1846)!

The Monroe Doctrine: 1823• The Americas should not be

considered for future colonization by European Powers.

• Nations in the Western Hemisphere were inherently different from those of Europe (republics rather than monarchies).

• The U.S. would regard any European attempt “meddle” in the Western Hemisphere as a threat to peace and safety.

• The U.S. would not interfere in European affairs!

Some regard Monroe’s Doctrine as a statement of isolationism. It laid the groundwork for our later imperialist efforts in Latin America.