The Early Republic

George Washington First electoral college unanimously elected Washington president in People believed he personified the new republic. John Adams became vice president. New republic deemed the “great experiment” by Federalists. Aware that past attempts at republican government were miserable failures—factions and dictators (ancient Greece & Rome, England, Switzerland).

Washington as 1 st President One the wealthiest men in America—perception of aristocracy. Accepted the office reluctantly. Formed a Cabinet with four departments—War, Treasury, State, and Attorney General. Neutrality—beware foreign entanglements. Only serves two terms.

Alexander Hamilton Washington’s Secretary of the Treasury. Self-made man. Encourage manufacturing and commerce. Link interests of wealthy to the new government. Bank of the United States—wildly unpopular with poor.

Challenge to the New Republic Hamilton’s taxes also wildly unpopular. Large tax on whiskey unpopular in west. Whiskey often used as currency and as the only means of preserving grain. How so? Whiskey only source of income for indebted farmers. Many refused to pay taxes—launched Whiskey Rebellion in 1794 in W. Penn. Gen. John Neville threatened to march on Pittsburgh. Washington led an army of 13,000 to put down the uprising.

Tar and Feathering a Federal Tax Agent

Political Parties Washington warned against creating political parties in his farewell address—narrow interest groups. “beware of factions” Largely the fault of Hamilton’s national bank. Hamilton and the bank supporters known as Federalist party Madison and Jefferson formed opposition party originally known as Republican party, then Democratic-Republican party, now just Democratic party.

Federalist Party Ideology (beliefs) Viewed themselves as a natural aristocracy making a stand against excesses of democracy. Upper class should rule social and economic inferiors. Society more important than the individual. Afraid of the “mob.” Government should encourage economic growth.

Republican (Dem.) Party Ideology Believed that government power always threatened liberty. Believed that the Treasury would corrupt Congress Military enslave the people Broad interpretations of the Constitution would make the federal government too powerful. Democrats to eventually become the party of states rights in the South and Midwest.

John Adams Second President (1797 – 1801)

John Adams’s Presidency A Federalist and often clashed with Hamilton for party leadership. Attempted to suppress disloyalty: Alien Act, Naturalization Act, Sedition Act.

Alien Act—deported aliens suspected of treason. Naturalization Act—increased residency requirements for immigrants. Sedition Act—fined and imprisoned for writing, speaking, or publishing “libel” and “treason.” Most people targeted by these acts were Republicans.