CHAPTER 6: Launching the New Nation

FEDERALIST Led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay, They favored a strong central government and LOOSE interpretation of the Constitution Believed the Separation of Powers would keep the government in check James Madison “Father of the Constitution”

ANTI-FEDERALIST The Anti-Federalist view was that the Constitution did not guarantee the rights of the people of the states Led by Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Richard Henry Lee, the Anti-Federalists wanted a Bill of Rights to off-set the strong central government Lee penned his views in the widely read, Letters from the Federal Farmers

ADOPTION OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to guarantee individual rights The Bill of Rights was ratified in December of 1791- three years after the Constitution was ratified First Ten Amendments

OLDEST LIVING CONSTITUTION The U.S. Constitution is the oldest written national constitution in the world Elastic Clause key to flexibility Also ability to change, or “amend” the Constitution helps preserve it 27 Amendments have been added

Our First President!! The hero of the Revolution was the unanimous choice for the nation’s first president Washington took office under the Constitution and with the Congress He faced an enormous task of creating a new government America’s First President

JUDICIARY ACT OF 1789 One of Washington’s first tasks was to create a judicial system Judiciary Act set up our justice system The act called for a Supreme Court, federal courts, and district courts The system guaranteed that the federal laws would remain “supreme”

WASHINGTON CREATES DEPARTMENTS- CABINET Washington created 4 executive branches State: Thomas Jefferson War: Henry Knox Treasury: Alexander Hamilton Attorney General: Edmund Randolph

Hamilton Vs. Jefferson Federalist Believed in Strong Central Gov’t. Wanted to have Implied Powers LOOSE interpretation of Constitution Democratic- Republican Believed in Powerful States Wanted the Federal Gov’t to STRICTLY Follow the Constitution.

HAMILTON’S ECONOMIC PLAN Hamilton wanted a National Bank fully funded by the Government Opponents, like James Madison, felt the Constitution made no provisions for such a Federal bank Thus begins a long battle between those who interpret the Constitution loosely vs. strictly

Hamilton’s Economic Plan According to his Report on the Public Credit, Hamilton said America was in debt millions of dollars. Federal Gov’t was responsible for 2/3 (foreign gov’t and soldiers) while States were responsible for 1/3 Hamilton wanted the Federal gov’t to assume state debt…..WHY???? Incentive to support new Federal Gov’t

Gaining Support! Bank of the United States would be funded by both the wealthy and the federal gov’t. (privately owned) Is this fair? Elastic Clause- gives Congress the authority to do whatever is “necessary and proper” To win over the South the capital was moved from New York City to Washington DC. (SOUTHERN CAPITAL!!)

WHISKEY REBELLION During Washington’s 2nd term in office (1794), Whiskey farmers, angered by an excessive tax, attacked tax collectors Washington responded with great force (15,000 troops) Set precedent for armed force to support federal authority

Foreign Affairs…The French Revolution! 1789 marked the start of the French Revolution America became divided. Should we help the French or not? (treaty of 1778) Edmond Genet was sent from France to America to rally up support. Washington was furious and declared neutrality.. IT was not in the best interest of a young nation to enter a war!!

Treaty With Spain During the Revolutionary War, Florida condemned the colonist fight for independence and actually fought alongside the British. In the Treaty of Paris, Florida was returned to Spain When the French Revolution broke out Spain signed a treaty with France, but then worried how Great Britain would react. Spain met with U.S. minister to Great Britain, Thomas Pinckney. Opened up the Mississippi River for American use and allowed American Traders to use the Port of New Orleans

Native Americans Resist White Settlers As White Settlers moved into land west of the Appalachians, Natives Attacked and were encouraged by the still present British troops Battle of Little Turtle and Fallen Timbers led to the signing of the Treaty of Greenville. Natives agreed to give up land in Ohio in exchange for $20,000 and an annual payment Jay’s Treaty (1794)- British agree to evacuate posts but continue their fur trade

Farewell to our First President!! The bitter political fight over Jay’s Treaty , along with the growing division between Federalist and Democratic- Republicans, convinced George Washington not to seek a third term in office In his Farewell speech he warned the U.S. to “Steer clear of permanent alliances”

ELECTION OF 1796 Federalists nominated Vice President John Adams Democratic-Republicans nominated Thomas Jefferson Adams wins and runner-up Jefferson becomes vice-president (as law dictated) Jefferson (left) and Adams

XYZ AFFAIR Adams attempts to avoid war with France after France ships seize American ships He sends official to meet with France foreign minister France sends three low level officers Adams is insulted and refers to them as “X, Y, and Z” Next two years an undeclared naval war between France & U.S. was waged

ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS To counter what he considered a threat against the government, Adams passed through Congress the Alien and Sedition Acts Alien Act raised residence requirements for citizenship from 5 to 14 years and allowed President to deport anyone He deemed as a “Threat to America” Sedition Act set fines & jail for anyone making false statements against the government **ATTEMPT TO GET LESS DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS TO VOTE

STATES ATTEMPT TO NULLIFY ALIEN & SEDITION ACTS In an event that would foreshadow future conflicts, two Southern States (Va, & Ky.) asserted the principle of nullification Nullification meant that a state could nullify, or consider void, any act of Congress they deemed unconstitutional

Election of 1800 Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tie Alexander Hamilton promotes for Jefferson because he says Burr is a “dangerous and unstable man” Hamilton and Burr run against each other for the Governor of NY Hamilton is killed in a duel

Midnight Appointments Adams is fearful that the political party is changing. Appoints as many supreme court judges as possible Marbury V. Madison Paperwork was not finished for the new justices Went to the Supreme Court and they deemed the new appointees as unconstitutional. Established Judicial Review and showed the Supreme Court Power!!

The Louisiana Purchase France controlled New Orleans which was at the mouth of the Mississippi River Napoleon sold all territory to the U.S. for 15 million **Needed money for the French Revolution Sent Lewis and Clark out to investigate new land.

The War of 1812- U.S. vs. Great Britain Causes: British Impressment ( seizing Americans at sea and drafting them into their navy) British attack Washington DC and burn the White House to the ground! General Andrew Jackson leads a great victory in New Orleans and the Treaty of Ghent is signed Christmas Eve 1814

Results of the War of 1812 End of the Federalist Party (opposed war and seen as traitors) Encouraged Industries in the U.S. to become self-sufficient Confirmed status of U.S. as a strong, free and independent nation