the origin of american politics. answer these in your journal to begin today… are political...
TRANSCRIPT
Answer these in your journal to begin today…
• Are political parties good for democracy? Why or why not?
Review: Ratifying the Constitution
• At the Constitutional Convention, two factions emerged.
• Faction = A group of people connected by a shared belief or opinion
– These were…• Federalists
– Wanted the Constitution passed.
• Anti-Federalists– Against the ratifying the Constitution
Review: Federalists
• Who?– Well educated and propertied class. Most live in large
cities/towns.• Positions
– In favor of strong national government– Articles of Confederation were weak and ineffective.– Strong national government needed to control
uncooperative states.– “Men of experience and talent” should govern the
nation.– National government would naturally protect the rights
of the people
Review: Anti-Federalists
• Who?– States’ rights advocates, frontiersmen, poor farmers,
ill-educated and illiterate, debtors
• Positions:– In favor of a weak national government.– Articles of Confederation were a good plan.– Constitution favored the wealthy.– Strong national government threatened the rights of
the common people.– Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights
Origins: Washington’s First Term
• Elected in 1789 after Constitution is ratified.– Chooses cabinet
• Alex Hamilton
(Federalist)– Sec’t of Treasury
• Thomas Jefferson
(Anti-Federalist)– Sec’t of State
• Henry Knox
(Federalist)– Sec’t of War
Conflicting Ideas:Hamilton vs. Jefferson
Hamilton-Strong central gov’t-Limited suffrage-Pro industry-Support in North-east
Jefferson-Small Fed gov’t-Widespread suffrage-Pro agriculture-Support in South, West
The Big Issues!
• What are the big issues that divide our Political Parties today?
-Think of at least two for each category:
• Domestic Policy
• Foreign Relations
• Powers of the Federal Government
Domestic Policy
• Hamilton’s Economic Plan – Gov’t is deep in debt.
Why?• American Revolution!• Fed gov’t assumes debt.
– Build revenue by Tariffs, taxes.
» One of these taxes is on Whiskey…
– National Bank• Funded by the gov’t and
private investors• Madison/Jefferson argue
against Bank because Bank not specifically mentioned in Constitution.
– “strict interpretation”
First National Bank Building, Philadelphia, PA
A Compromise…
• A Deal with the South– Hamilton suggests
moving Fed. capitol south.
• “District of Columbia” is planned on the Potomac River in VA/MD.
Power of the Federal Government
• Whiskey Rebellion– Response to tax
passed by Congress on production of whiskey.
• Angry frontier farmers tar and feather tax collectors.
• Hamilton uses incident to test new militia, leads “troops” into battle to crush revolt.
Upset farmers revolt over a tax on the production of whiskey!
Foreign Relations
• French Revolution• Starts with same goals
as the US Revolution.• Treaty of 1778 ties USA
to Royal French Government.
Who should the USA support?
– Reactions• Feds = Support British
(monarchies)• Repubs = Support new
French gov’tThe “Reign of Terror”
The Federalists Lose Power: Foreign Relations
– Citizen Genet• French send Edmond Genet to rally American
support. Instead of following diplomatic protocol, Genet tries to rally American people directly.
– Insults/embarrasses Washington administration.
– Jay’s Treaty• John Jay gets Britain to vacate forts in the
Northwest Territory, but they won’t agree to stop impressing US ships
– Upsets colonial merchants
The Presidency of John Adams (Federalist)
• Both sides become more entrenched.– Adams lacked the “prestige” of
Washington• Was constantly criticized by Anti-
Federalists.
– The Alien and Sedition Acts• Alien Act
– Extended citizenship requirement to 14 years
– Most immigrants were farmers, and therefore Anti-Federalists.
• Sedition Act (of 1798)– Made it illegal to criticize government
officials.
Is this Constitutional?
Election of 1800
Washington:– “(A system of political
parties) agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, and foments occasionally riot and insurrection.”
Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?