The Federalist Era: Washington and Adams

Warm Up What was the Articles of Confederation? What was the difference between the New Jersey and Virginia Plans? Who was the “Father of the Constitution”? Who wrote Common Sense? Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? Which is the superior fruit candy – Starburst, Gummy Bears, Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Jolly Ranchers?

Completely Useless Information TYPEWRITER, is the longest word that can be made using the letters on only one row of the keyboard. Karen Roman grew the world's largest cauliflower. It weighed 22 pounds. Flamingo tongues were a common delicacy at Roman feasts.

The Washington Administration Constitution ratified by 1788 and a new government put in place. George Washington was unanimously elected by the Electoral College in 1791 as the first president in New York City. o John Adams selected as first vice president Constitution does not provide for a cabinet, but Washington appointed one and relied on their advice to make some decisions.

The Cabinet All Star Line-up: –Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson –Secretary of Treasury: Alexander Hamilton –Secretary of War: Henry Knox –Attorney General: Edmund Randolph (Created by the Judiciary Act of 1789) Cabinet was characterized by fighting between Jefferson and Hamilton.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan The new government needed money to pay its debts and provide for services. Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, provided a plan that restored American credit, raised revenue, and established a national bank.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan….. The National Bank was the most controversial: o Provide credit for the federal government. o Hold taxes collected from the people. o Lend money to the government. o Regulate currency and other government funds.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan (cont.) Issues with Hamilton’s economic vision: o Vision favored the wealthy (bankers and commercial investors in the Northeast). o Many argued that a bank was a power of the states and not the national government. (Unconstitutional) oStart of debate over strict and loose interpretation of the Constitution. oArticle 1 - Congress has the authority to do whatever “necessary and proper” to carry out its assigned powers (regulation of commerce).

Hamilton’s Financial Plan (cont.) Hamilton convinces Washington and Congress to accept his plan, establishes the Bank of the United States. o He convinced Southern states to agree to his plan by agreeing to move the nation’s capital from New York City to along the Potomac River (Washington DC).

Whiskey Rebellion Alexander Hamilton passed a tax on the production of whiskey. Whiskey was the main source of income for small frontier farmers. Angry farmers in western Pennsylvania attacked federal agents. In response, Washington called up 15,000 troops to put down the rebellion. Demonstrated the power of the new federal government (standing army) under the Constitution compared to the Articles of Confederation.

Star Nosed Mole

Washington’s Farewell Washington decides to leave office after two terms - sets precedent for all future presidents until FDR. In his Farewell Address, Washington warns against: o Getting caught in “entangling alliances.” o Getting involved in wars - stay neutral. France and Great Britain loom as potential foreign policy problems for the new government.

Political Parties Emerge At the end of Washington’s presidency, economic and foreign policy issues divided Americans: –The National Bank –Jay Treaty – (1794) US and British arrangement that dealt with the removal of British troops and trade (import and export specifics) –Britain and France at war (who do we support?) The first two political parties in the United States were Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. American politics would forever be defined by clashes between two political parties.

Federalists Led by Hamilton and Adams. Bankers, merchants, manufacturers, professionals, and wealthy farmers. Believed in a strong national government and an industrial (commercial) economy. Supported strong ties to Great Britain. Strongest support came from New England and along the Atlantic coast. Believed in loose interpretation of the Constitution.

Democratic-Republicans Led by Jefferson and Madison. Artisans, shopkeepers, frontier settlers, and farmers. Believed in a weak national government and strong state governments with an agricultural economy. Supported strong ties to France. Strongest support came from the South, Southwest, and along the frontier. Believed in strict interpretation of the Constitution.

President John Adams Narrowly defeated Jefferson in the Election of o All electors from Northern states voted for Adams, while all Southern electors voted for Jefferson. o The Constitution stated that the runner-up would be vice president. o President = Federalist o Vice President = Democratic- Republican

Election of 1796