Washington Heads the New Government

Chapter 6Section 1

George WashingtonAt 6’2”, he was almost 1 foot taller than the average man in the 1700s

His wife, Martha, inherited her wealth from her deceased husband.

George Washington

Washington was unanimously elected

No one knew exactly what the role of a president would be.

He set precedents as he established the procedure to fulfill his responsibilities.

Judiciary Act 1789Washington and Congress set up the federal court system

This included a Supreme Court, 2 federal circuit courts and 13 federal district courts

Judges for each position were nominated and confirmed.

Presidential CabinetNot mentioned in the Constitution, Washington chose 4 men to assist him.

This was one of many precedents he set which every president since has copied.

Washington’s CabinetSec. Of State – Thomas Jefferson

Sec. Of the Treasury – Alexander Hamilton

Sec. Of War – Henry Knox

Attorney General – Edmund Randolph

Thomas JeffersonJefferson was born to a rich family in Virginia

His first memory was being carried on a pillow by a slave

He owned slaves and had children with Sally Hemming

Alexander HamiltonHamilton was born to a poor, single woman

She died when he was 10He worked his way from college to assisting Washington in the Revolutionary War

DifferencesJefferson believed that the country should be agrarian based

Had faith in common man

Hamilton believed that the country should be industrial based

Had faith in aristocracy

Alexander Hamilton

Hamilton developed 3 plans for the new countryReport on Public CreditNational BankReport on Manufactures

Report on Public CreditThe report contained all the debt owed by America for the war

He wanted all debts paid but some states did not

The capital was put near VA to get them to agree

National BankHamilton pushed for this because the nation would have a place toDeposit moneyIssue currencyMake loans

National BankOpposition said the Constitution did not allow government to do it

Hamilton writes report about “implied powers” using the necessary and proper clause.

Passes (so does his idea)

Question: What is the necessary and proper clause?

Answer: Also known as the "elastic clause," this clause is one of the most powerful in the Constitution. It allows the Government of the United States to "make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution." This has been used for all types of federal actions including requiring integration in the states.

Report on ManufactureHamilton wanted to raise tariffs to help emerging New England factory system.

Most taxes would be paid by importing Southern and Western farmers

This failed to pass

Washington D. C.Pierre L’Enfant drew the original plans

Andrew Ellicott added to the plan

Benjamin Banneker surveyed the land

The result was a city of parallel and diagonal streets

Political FactionsMost Americans in government thought that because we had common goals, political parties would not develop.

Many thought they were dangerous

Political FactionsDifferences of opinions, focused mainly on Jefferson and Hamilton, led to both gaining strength as people allied themselves with one or the other

Political FactionsHamilton’s followers, Federalists, wantedA strong federal government

Industrial baseTies with Britain“betters” leading common men

Political FactionsWashington advised against 2 things in his Farewell Address1. involvement with European conflicts

2. political factionsParties continue to evolve

Whiskey RebellionCongress passed a tax on whiskey, made from corn grown by western PA Scots-Irish farmers

Hamilton used the situation to flex his muscle, bringing in federal troops.

Whiskey RebellionThe rebellion was almost over by the time the militia arrived

Republicans said the event was a fabrication to help the Federalists

The Federalists blamed the Republican farmers

ChildrenSchool – optional attendance when work at home wasn’t needed

Work – chores at home, many worked as adults outside the home

Play – strict codes of behavior

Foreign Affairs Trouble the NationChapter 6Section 2

Events in EuropeFrench rebels imprison, and then behead, King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Gouveneur Morris, minister to France, was astonished at the horrors of the Reign of Terror

Events in EuropeThe Treaty 1778 allied us with France

Initially, America backed the French Revolution because of its similarities to their own Revolution.

But we did not use the guillotine

NeutralityWashington declared our neutrality in 1793

Hamilton and Jefferson agreed that involvement in European affairs was to be avoided

Edmund GenetEdmond Genet arrived in

Charleston SC in 1793 to raise and arm a fleet of American privateers to aid in France's war against Britain. On his way back with his fleet, he stopped in Philadelphia to gain the support of the government but was turned away because Washington did not want to loose American neutrality between Britain and France.

His involvement split the parties and Jefferson resigns

Jay’s TreatyRelations with Britain, still smarting from the loss of her colonies,

worsened in the early 1790s. From the American perspective, issues included seizure from American ships of cargoes unrelated to war, impressment of American seamen and continuing British occupation of western posts within U.S. borders.

In 1794, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Jay was dispatched to England to seek solutions. The resulting agreement stirred up heated passions within the cabinet with Hamilton supporting the agreement and Jefferson opposing it. Key provisions included:

The withdrawal of British soldiers from posts in the American West A commission to be established to settle outstanding border issues

between the U.S. and Canada A commission to be established to resolve American losses in British

ship seizures and Loyalist losses during the War for Independence. Missing from the treaty was a provision for the British to refrain

from the arrest of American ships and impressment of American seamen.

Feeling against Jay's Treaty ran high, and Hamilton was stoned by an angry crowd in New York. Nevertheless, the Senate ratified the agreement with a reservation inserted regarding a provision that limited American trade in the British West Indies. Washington, after much agonizing, approved the treaty.

Jay's Treaty is significant in part because of the tremendous uproar it cause

Pinckney’s Treaty One of the most important diplomatic aims of the Washington

administration was to secure recognition of American borders from the great powers. Britain did so in Jay's Treaty (negotiated in 1794 and ratified in 1795). France was unlikely to cooperate on any issue, given that the United States had failed to honor the alliance of 1778. Spain at this time held the prized port of New Orleans at the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Thomas Pinckney, U.S. minister to Britain, was dispatched to Spain and won two highly desirable concessions:

Spain recognized U.S. borders at the Mississippi and the 31st parallel (the northern border of Florida, a Spanish possession)

Spain granted Americans the right to deposit goods for transshipment at New Orleans.

The second provision was a vital concern of American farmers in the West. Efforts to transport their goods to market in the East by overland routes were time-consuming and expensive. The right of deposit allows one nation to temporarily store goods on another nation's soil without paying any fees or duties.

Spain granted these concessions to the United States, not from fear of America's military might, but from concern over major power diplomatic realities.

Spain was a rival of Britain and noted the warming relationship between Britain and the U.S. as evidenced in Jay's Treaty. Therefore, Spain hoped to keep Britain off balance by establishing a positive relationship with America

Fallen TimbersUnder the Treaty of Paris, Britain

was suppose to leave the westThey did not but they did

encourage Indians to attack settlers

Fallen Timbers, battle fought in 1794 between tribes of the Northwest Territory and the U.S. it took place southwest of present-day Toledo. The Native American defeat hastened the collapse of indigenous resistance in the area, secured the northwest frontier, and demonstrated the strength of the new national government.

Treaty of GreenvilleAt the Battle of Fallen Timbers, in 1792, American forces soundly defeated the Indians

Under the treaty, the Indians gave up Ohio for $20,000 down and $10,000 per year

This trend continues as Americans move west

Election of 1796Washington announced that he would not run for a 3rd term with the hopes that Republicans would not have time to find a candidate.

John Adams, Federalist, ran against Thomas Jefferson, Dem. Rep.

Election of 1796

J. Adams - 71Jefferson - 68Pinckney - 59Burr - 30

Sectional differences can already be seen

70 needed to win

1796 ElectionAlexander Hamilton tried to manipulate the electoral college so Adams would lose

As it happened, Adams became president but his political enemy, Jefferson, became his vice president

The Electoral College is a controversial mechanism of presidential elections that was created by the framers of the U.S. Constitution as a compromise for the presidential election process. At the time, some politicians believed a purely popular election was too reckless, while others objected to giving Congress the power to select the president. The compromise was to set up an Electoral College system that allowed voters to vote for electors, who would then cast their votes for candidates, a system described in Article II, section 1 of the Constitution.

XYZ AffairAdams tried to ease tensions with France

He sent 3 ambassadors to speak to the French foreign minister

Instead they were sent to lower level officials who demanded payment of $250,000

Election of 1796The ambassadors declared, “Millions

for defense, but not one cent for tribute.”

When news of the bribe reached America, anti-French sentiments rose

John Adams creates the Department of the Navy to protect our ships

George Washington was enlisted again to be Comm. In Chief, Hamilton runs the Army

Never declaring war, America fought a quasi-war with France

Alien and Sedition ActsOpposition to the Federalists continued to grow

New immigrants typically became Dem. Republicans as they became citizens

The Federalists pass a series of laws to help keep themselves in power

Alien and Sedition ActsThe Alien Act made immigrants wait 14 years (instead of 5) to become citizens

It made it easier to deport aliens

The Sedition Act made it illegal to speak poorly of the Federalists, even if the accusation were true

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison fought the acts by passing these resolution

It stated that states could nullify any act they felt was unconstitutional

This was a political ploy to make the Federalists look bad

Jefferson Alters the Nation’s Course

Chapter 6Section 3

Election of 1800Hamilton again tried to manipulate the electoral college to ensure Thomas Pinckney a win

It costs the Federalist the election

They will never win again

Election of 1800

Jefferson - 73Burr - 73J. Adams - 65Pinckney - 64

Election of 1800Aaron Burr, Jefferson’s running mate, and Jefferson received the same number of electoral votes

The House of Representatives chose Jefferson

Hamilton had convinced them that Burr was dangerous

12th AmendmentThe election reveals the need for an amendment

The 12th Amendment – electors cast separate votes for president and vice president

Jefferson’s Administration

The Democratic Republicans will monopolize the White House until 1860

Jefferson believed in a simple government, ignoring the trappings of the gentry class

Jefferson’s PlansJefferson reduced the size of the army and navy

Lowered the cost of government

Eliminated all internal taxes

Reduced influence of National Bank

Jefferson’s PlansJefferson was the first president to move to Washington DC and live in the White House

He was the first of the Jeffersonian presidents from VA

Midnight JudgesAdams did not leave office with grace

In the last days of his administration he created new court positions (that he filled with Federalists) and appointed John Marshall as Supreme Court chief justice.

Midnight JudgesPacking the courts with Federalists meant that their views could be present for the next 30 years since judges retain their position until death

Appoints that were not received by the time Jefferson took office were declared invalid

Midnight JudgesWilliam Marbury did not receive his appointment sued James Madison, Jefferson’s Sec. Of State, for it.

The Judiciary Act of 1789 required the Supreme Court to deliver the papers

Judicial ReviewThe John Marshall court decided that the Supreme Court had the power of judicial review – they can review all acts of Congress for constitutionality

The late appointments were not confirmed.

Moving WestSettlers moved into Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee

Most came through the Cumberland Gap

The trail became the Wilderness Trail

Further WestIn 1800 Spain returned land west of the Miss. R to France

Jefferson wanted to buy the land and Monroe to Paris

Napoleon’s war was not going well and he needed money

Further WestHe offered to sell all of the Louisiana Territory, not just New Orleans, for $15 million

The deal was closed but Jefferson wasn’t sure it was Constitutional

The Senate approved the purchase and the US doubled in size

Lewis and ClarkJefferson appointed Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the new land

They recorded new plants and animals, sent bear cubs to the White House, and walked to the Pacific Ocean.

Lewis and Clark

Lewis and ClarkWith the help of 50 soldiers and woodsmen, Lewis and Clark hiked for over 2 years

Along the way, they met Sacajawea, who had just given birth, who help guide and translate for them.

The War of 1812

Chapter 6

Section 4

Jefferson’s Re-Election

Jefferson easily won re-election in 1804

The country was happy with the Louisiana Purchase

The rest of his term would not be as easy

Election of 1804

Jefferson – 162Pinckney - 14

NapoleonBritain and France renewed their hostilities toward one another.

Napoleon started the Continental System ordering all French controlled land to stop trading with Britain

NapoleonBritain responded by stating that all ships going to Europe had to stop in Britain first.

This put the US in the middle of the two countries

The US traded heavily with both countries.

Embargo ActBritain stopped American ships and impressed (kidnapped) sailors

Jefferson convinced Congress to pass the Embargo Act which stated that Americans would stop trading with all foreign nations

Embargo ActSince a large portion of the population was involved in trade, this hurt Americans more than Europeans

In fact, Britain tried to take America’s trade routes while Americans were denied the right to trade.

Election of 1808

Madison – 122

Pinckney – 47Clinton - 6

Non-Intercourse Act

James Madison and Congress lifted the Embargo Act in 1809 but replaced it with the Non-Intercourse Act

This act forbade trade only with Britain and France

Tecumseh’s ConfederacyAs Americans moved farther west, interaction with the Indians was hostile.

Tecumseh tried to form a confederacy to fight against the Americans

Tecumseh’s ConfederacyGen. William Henry Harrison fought against the Shawnee at the Battle of Tippecanoe

War Hawks, led by Sen. John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay urged him on

War of 1812Pres. Madison decided to go to war against Britain for not removing their western forts

Much of the war was on the Great Lakes

War of 1812The British entered Baltimore Harbor and marched to Washington DC

They burned the White House

Dolly Madison saved important papers and paintings

War of 1812In New Orleans, Andrew Jackson beat the Creek Indians and then British forces

The battle happened AFTER the war was over.

Treaty of GhentThe treaty ended the war and settled land differences

Britain left N. AmericaThe war of 1812 is sometimes called the last battle of the Revolution.