Creating the “Virtuous Republic” The Presidencies of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson 1789-1803

Creating the “Virtuous Republic” Classical view of a model republic Govt. gets its authority from the citizens. A selfless, educated citizenry. Elections should be frequent. Govt. should guarantee individual rights & freedoms. Govt.’s power should be limited [checks & balances]. The need for a written Constitution. “E Pluribus Unum.” [“Out of many, one”] An important role for women  raise good, virtuous citizens. [“Republican Womanhood”]. Enlightenment Thinking The “Virtuous Republic” Ideal citizen [Cincinnatus] “City on a hill” [John Winthrop]

Washington is elected Asked to serve as president in 1789 Reluctant leader Reluctant: Has no precedent to work from. What he establishes is the precedent! In a letter to Henry Knox in 1789, he likens the presidency to going to execution. “Integrity and Firmness is all I can promise” He does not feel he has the ability to run the country

Judiciary Act of 1789 Why? Needed to define court system established by Constitution. Supreme Court Chief Justice 5 associates 3 Federal Circuit Courts 13 federal district courts Section 25 Allowed State court decisions to appeal to federal courts

Cabinet Cabinet Members State: Foreign Affairs War: Military Affairs 3 initial Departments State: Foreign Affairs Thomas Jefferson War: Military Affairs Henry Knox Treasury: Financial Affairs Alexander Hamilton

Hamilton vs. Jefferson Hamilton’s Views Jefferson’s Views Concentrate power in federal government Share power with state & local government Republic led by a well educated few Democracy of virtuous farmers & trades people Loose interpretation of Constitution Strict interpretation of Constitution Favors National Bank Anti-National Bank Later called Dem.-Republicans Today’s Democrats

Bank of the United States Controversial! Tied wealthy investors to government Opponents stated the Constitution had no provision to allow government to create Bank “Loose” vs. “Strict” “Elastic Clause” (pg 158) Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18

Hamilton’s Economic Plan Resolve Debt 2/3 Federal: Foreign & Private Citizens War Bonds 1/3 State Pay Off Foreign Debt Assume State’s Debts Needed State support for government Issue New Bonds to pay Citizens Back

Debt Bill Southern states upset most had paid back debt  did not want to pay taxes to pay off Northern debt Compromise to allow Hamilton’s economic plan to pass Capital moved to Washington, DC to get southern states to agree to Debt bill

Foreign Relations 1. The French Revolution Views: Democrat Republicans Federalists President Washington Jefferson resigns his post in 1793

2. Spain Pickney’s Treaty 3. England The Jay Treaty

Whiskey Rebellion 2 causes Protective Tariff instituted on imported goods from Europe Excise Tax on domestic manufactured whiskey Effect Western frontiersmen rebel Were met by 15,000 militia men led by Washington & Hamilton Demonstrated Federal Government’s power

Issues with Native Americans Battle of Fallen Timbers, 1792 Treaty of Grenville

John Adams 1796-1800

Election of 1796 Washington does not run for a 3rd term The issue of the 1796 election

Early Troubles for a New Nation Domestic Foreign Judiciary Act 1789 Pickney Treaty w/ Spain Eliminating Debt Battle of Fallen Timbers Establishing a National Bank Jay’s Treaty Whiskey Rebellion XYZ Affair Creation of 2-party politics Alien & Sedition Acts

“XYZ” Affair - 1798 Jay Treaty leads to increased tensions with France Adams sends 3 diplomats to French foreign minister Instead, diplomats see 3 low-level officials Adams refers to as “Agent X, Y, Z” in report to Congress Diplomats demand $250,000 to see Foreign Minister Scandal becomes known as XYZ Affair Effect: Great Anti-French sentiments Creation of Navy department George Washington comes out of retirement to head 50,000 troops Alien & Sedition Acts -1798

Alien & Sedition Acts vs. Virginia & Kentucky Resolution Raised residence acts for American citizenship to 14 years President could deport any undesirable Set fines/jail terms for anyone expressing “false, scandalous, or malicious statements” against government Virginia & Kentucky Resolution were reaction Allowed state governments to nullify – consider void – any act of Congress they felt unconstitutional

Thomas Jefferson 1800-1810

Election of 1800 Adams & Pinckney (Federalists) Jefferson & Burr (Dem.- Republicans) Dem.-Republicans win However, Jefferson & Burr tie with electoral votes Expose Flaw in system To the opposition: TJ supports French revolutionaries and is an atheist who wants to destroy organized religion, Adams is a supporter of the wealthy and wants to turn the presidency into a monarchy

Election of 1800 Tally Jefferson Adams Pinckney Burr Jay

Effects of Election of 1800 2 distinct political parties 12th Amendment Electors cast separate ballots for president & vice-president Defined American political system still used today

Jeffersonian Presidency Simplifying the presidency Reduced the government Cut costs Reduced army & navy Eliminated internal taxes Reduced role of National bank Favored Free Trade Replaced Federalist judges with Dem-Repub ones Foreign Policy

Marbury vs. Madison - 1803 Result of Judiciary Act of 1801 Adams packed court w/ Midnight Judges Why? Supreme Court ruled “Midnight Judges” were unconstitutional Set precedent of judicial review What is this?

Louisiana Purchase Causes: Spain gives land to France France decides not to pursue American empire Napoleon sells land for 15 million Effects: Doubles America’s size Lewis & Clark appointed to lead expedition of new territory

Louisiana Purchase Louisiana Purchase doubled US size Lewis & Clark exploration

Publicity Stunt Gone Wrong Burr challenges Hamilton to a duel Long standing hatred of each other July 11, 1804, Burr and Hamilton toss dice to see who goes first Hamilton shoots, but shoots in the air Burr shoots Hamilton right in the chest Hamilton’s death further weakens the Federalist Party presence in Congress