Political Developments in the Early Republic

Chapter 11

I. Launching the New Government

A. First President1. April 30, 1789 – Washington takes

oath of officeBrainPOP

B. Title Debate1. Argued over title2. Washington preferred “Mr.

President”C. Setting Up the Executive Branch

1. Department of State – to handle relations with other countries

2. Department of War – to defend the nation

3. Treasury Department – oversee nation’s finances

4. Attorney General – president’s legal advisor

5. Postmaster General – head postal system

II. Washington as PresidentA. Critical Problem

1. National treasury was empty2. 1791 – Congress agreed to tax on

whiskey and luxury goodsB. Whiskey Rebellion

1. Many complaints on whiskey tax2. Congress lowered in 17933. Rebels in Western PA tarred and

feathered tax collectorsa) Washington led 13,000 state

militia troops to crush rebelsC. French Revolution

1. 1789 – French people rebelled against kinga) 20,000 people killed (mostly

nobility)BrainPOP

Whiskey Rebellion

II. Washington as President

D. Washington’s Farewell Address1. Agreed to 2nd term in 17922. Messages to the Nation

a) Warned of problems with other countries

b) Warned of loyalty to political parties

Analysis

The words from Washington’s Farewell

Address are just as important today as they were when he left office.

What could our nation learn from the words of our first

president?

III. Alexander Hamilton & the Federalist Party

A. Background1. Was born in the West Indies2. Was Washington’s personal assistant

during war3. Married girl from political family

which helped him into Congress B. View of Human Nature

1. People were basically selfish and out for themselves

2. Distrusted any system of government that gave too much power to the common people

III. Alexander Hamilton & the Federalist Party

C. Best Form of Government1. Believed that country should be

ruled by “best people” – educated, wealthy

2. Favored a strong national government

D. Ideal Economy1. 1790

a) economy based on agriculture b) Hamilton presented Congress

with plan to pay off war debts asap1 – promised capital location

to south if they supportedc) Also asked Congress to

establish a national bank (collect taxes, print paper money, loans)

III. Alexander Hamilton & the Federalist Party

E. Relations with Britain & France1. 1793 – war broke out

between France and Englanda) Federalists sided with Britain

IV. Thomas Jefferson & the Republican Party

A. Background1. Born in Virginia and became tobacco

planter (slave-owner)B. View of Human Nature

1. Informed citizens could make good decisions for themselves and their country

C. Best Form of Government1. Favored democracy2. Best government was one that

governed the least3. Constitution meant exactly what it

said (no more or less)4. Favored strong state governments

IV. Thomas Jefferson & the Republican Party

D. Ideal Economy1. Favored economy based on

agriculture

E. Relations with Britain & France1. Supported France2. French Representative to the US,

Edmond Genet, attempted to convince Americans to join the French in war with Britaina) Ordered to leave the country after

insulting President Washington

V. Presidency of John Adams

A. Election of 17961. Republicans backed Jefferson2. Federalists supported John

Adams3. Adams elected by 3 votes,

Jefferson VPB. Alien & Sedition Acts

1. Alien Acts (3) a) Lengthened time it took for

immigrant to become a citizen with right to vote from 5 to 14 years

b) Allowed president to jail or deport aliens suspected of causing trouble

2. Sedition Act – made encouraging rebellion against government a crime

V. Presidency of John Adams

C. Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions1. Set of statements opposing Alien

& Sedition Act2. Virginia & Kentucky only 2 states

who adopted resolutions

D. New National Capital1. 1800 – federal government moved

to city of Washington in District of Columbia

VI. Election of 1800

A. 1800 Election1. Republican leaders backed Jefferson

with Aaron Burr as VP2. Federalists chose John Adams for

reelection with Charles Pinckney as VP

B. The Campaign1. Jefferson supported the Constitution

and states’ rights, run a simple government

2. Adams ran on his record of peace and prosperity

C. Divided Federalists1. Hamilton’s followers refuse to support

Adams because of foreign policy disagreements

VII. Deadlock & a New Amendment

A. Election Results1. All Republican electors voted for

Jefferson and Burr resulting in a tie between them

B. Breaking the Tie1. Sent to the House of Representatives

where each state gets 1 vote – ended in another tie

2. 6 days and 35 ballots later – Hamilton broke deadlock by asking his supporters to vote for Jefferson

3. 1804 – 12th amendment added, calling for separate ballots for president and vice president