Washington takes the oath of office

Washington’s Presidency  Received all electoral votes  Adams (Fed.) becomes VP  Remained “neutral” in politics (actually, supported Federalists)

Forming the First Cabinet  Hamilton –Sec. of Treasury  Knox –Sec. of War  Randolph –Attorney General  Jefferson –Sec. of State  Tried to balance regions and viewpoints  Rift develops between Hamilton and Jefferson

Hamilton’s Financial Program  Washington supported  Tried to gain support of the elite  Gov’t should assume public debt and state debt  Taxes raised by whiskey tax  Create a National Bank to stabilize financial structure

Opposition to Federalist Program  VA protests assuming state debts –Future capital is moved to DC as compromise  Small farmers protest taxes  National Bank –“Loose” interpretation of Const. troubled Jefferson, Madison, and co. –Passed over protests

Beginnings of Political Parties  Const. does not mention parties  Washington opposed them  These early squabbles created allies and enemies –Two camps emerge Federalist Republican (Anti-Federalist)

Securing the Frontier  Northwest Ordinance was not enough  Land claims sorted out  Whiskey Rebellion in PA put down by fed. gov’t.  NA barely mentioned in Const. and not dealt with clearly

Whiskey Rebellion Flag

Foreign Difficulties  Britain and France engaged in war  American neutrality declared –“Citizen Genet” –British impressment –Jay’s Treaty w/ Britain (Federalist influenced) –Pinckney’s Treaty w/ Spain (US can use the Mississippi)

Pinckney’s Treaty

John Adams’ Presidency  Washington’s Farewell Address  One-term Federalist, elected in 1796 over Jefferson (became VP)  Fed. were splintering

The Quasi War with France  XYZ Affair outrages Americans  Undeclared naval warfare  Eventually tensions cool

Alien and Sedition Acts  Fed. attempt to quiet Rep. Opposition  Alien Act –Harder for foreigners (tended to be Rep.) to become citizens  Sedition Act –Punished anti-gov’t activities (writings and otherwise)

The “Revolution” of 1800  Rematch from 1796  Bitter campaigns  Jefferson elected after 36 counts  Rep. Control exec. and leg. Branches  Fed. Control the judiciary –Adams appoints “midnight” judges