2.4 Launching the New Nation How was the US prepared to go forward as a developing country?

New Government Washington was the first president of the new country He and Congress set up a new government; the Judiciary Act of 1789 set up a national court system Congress also set up three executive departments, including a cabinet, or group of chief advisors

Continued Alexander Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury, Thomas Jefferson was Secretary of State, and Henry Knox was Secretary of War Together, these positions made up the cabinet, or advisors to the President Hamilton wanted a strong central government with a national bank; Jefferson opposed this with James Madison Their differences helped create a two-party system, where two political parties compete for power

Continued Federalists agreed with Hamilton; democratic- republicans agreed with Jefferson that state governments should be stronger Congress passed two important taxes: –A protective tariff, which placed a tax on goods imported from Europe –A second tax was placed on whiskey, which angered small frontier farmers who made it so much that they attacked tax collectors –The Whiskey Rebellion was put down by federal troops to show that the federal government could enforce laws on the frontier

Changes Abroad France overthrew their monarchy in 1789, and then went to war against Britain Washington decided to remain neutral even though the US had a treaty with France In 1795 Spain and the US signed the Pinckney Treaty, where they gave up claims to land east of the Mississippi and paved the way for westward expansion of the US Settlers in the NW Territory angered Native Americans; in 1794 federal troops defeated their confederacy that battled for the land John Jay also negotiated a treaty with Britain for them to give up their forts in the NW Territory

Adams as President Washington retired, and John Adams became president with Jefferson becoming VP France began to interfere with American shipping, and Adams sent reps. to France, where the French demanded bribes from the Americans This became known as the XYZ Affair Some Americans demanded war with the French, but Adams settled the matter through diplomacy

Continued Adams thought Dem.-Repub. were dangerous, and he and the Federalists supported the Alien and Sedition Acts Passed in 1798, they made it harder to become a citizen and created harsh punishments for people who criticized the government Dem.-Rebub. opposed these laws Kentucky and Virginia claimed that states could cancel laws they found unconstitutional; this is called nullification