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

2. Support a National Bank

• The national bank is vital to government power over the economy

3. Growth of Industry

• The national can only be strong if the manufacturing sector grows

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

4. Pro-France Foreign policy

• The French were our allies, and they 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.

The Alien and Sedition Acts• Angered by critics, Adams signed the law which

made it difficult for immigrants to move to the US, and made it illegal to criticize the government.

• This unpopular law would be used to defeat Adams in the next election

These Foreigners need to shut their TRAP!!!