1. The Federalists in Charge

2. Washington in Charge
Washington governed the American people for 8 years ( ) and served as a symbol of national unity
In his farewell speech, Washington warned the people against political parties
However, after Washington left the presidency, the people chose political parties
Foreign policy relations with the government of other countries
Washington urged the Americans to remain neutral when it comes to foreign policy; “steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.”
It was this advice that the American people took from Washington’s presidency

3. The Growth of Political Parties
Americans were deeply divided over how the nation should be run
They disagreed with how to interpret the Constitution and economic policy
The arguments were Hamilton vs. Jefferson/Madison
Hamilton’s Policies
Hamilton wanted a strong central government
Wanted a nation in which trade, manufacturing, and cities grew
Hamilton’s political ideas came to form the political party known as the Federalists
Many Northern merchants and manufacturers joined the Federalists
Jefferson/Madison’s Policies
J/M feared that a strong central government would make a tyranny
Wanted a nation that prospered from planters and farmers
J/M’s political ideas formed the Democratic-Republican party
Many farmers and workers were drawn to this political party

4. Growth of Political Parties cont.
Political parties a group of people that tries to promote its ideas and influence government
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
Strong national government
Limited national government
Fear of mob rule
Fear of rule by one person or a powerful few
Loose construction (interpretation) of the Constitution
Strict construction (interpretation) of the Constitution
Favored a national bank
Opposed a national bank
Economy based on manufacturing and shipping
Economy based on farming
Supporters: lawyers, merchants, manufacturers, clergy
Supporters: farmers, tradespeople

5. John Adams Takes Office
The Federalist chose John Adam’s, Washington’s Vice President
Qualifications for President:
Experienced public servant
Leader during the Revolution
At the Continental Congress
Diplomat for France, Netherlands, and Britain
The Democrat-Republicans chose Jefferson
The Constitution stated that the runner-up in the presidential race, would become the vice president
Adams became the president with Jefferson as his VP
**Adams became the 1st President to govern from the nation’s new capital: Washington D.C.**

6. Problems with France
Relations between France and the United States were very tense
Britain and France were at war with one another, but the French began taking American ships making it impossible to trade with Britain
Some of the Federalist wanted to call war on France; President Adams did not want to call war
Instead he sent three men to meet with the Prime Minister of France
Charles Pinckney, Elbridge Gerry, and John Marshall
They met with 3 French agents – X, Y, Z – met with the Americans and told them that the only way they could meet to discuss the foreign affairs would be by paying $10 million to France and then $250,000 to the Prime Minister
XYZ Affair  a 1797 incident in which French officials demanded a bribe from U.S. diplomats
Congress cancelled all treaties with France, and then began taking French ships

7. Alien and Sedition Acts
The relations with France, caused problems between the two parties; they called each other names and laid the blame on the others for what was happening between France
Democrat-Republicans called Adam the “tyrant of America”
In turn Adams, blamed the Democrat-Republican newspapers and the new immigrants
To silence the criticisms, he passed a law known as the Alien and Sedition Act
Alien & Sedition Act  these acts targeted aliens, people who were not yet citizens; 1) increased the waiting time to become a citizen from 5 to 14 years, 2) the president can arrest disloyal aliens or 3) order them out of the country in times of war, 4) outlawing any saying or writing that goes against the government (sedition)
Under this act, many people were thrown into jail and many Democratic-Republican editors were charged

8. Alien and Sedition Acts cont.
States’ Rights  states had the rights that the government could not violate
Jefferson and Madison were looking for ways to nullify (take away the negativity) of the Alien and Sedition Acts
They did so by creating the Virginia Resolutions  the states could interpose, or place itself between, the federal government and its citizens
They said that the Alien & Sedition Acts violated the rights of the Constitution
No other states supported the Resolutions, but soon the Democrat- Republicans took control over the Congress, and let the acts

9. Peace with France
Coming to the end of his term as president, Adams opened talk with France again
Signed the Convention of 1800 which stopped all naval attacks
The Federalists did not like what Adams did; it saved America from war, but it lost Adams his second term
Jefferson became the third president of the United States