1. Beginning a New Nation
“We are in a wilderness without a single footstep to guide us.”
What did James Madison mean when he said this?
George Washington sets the tone
Washington was unanimously elected President in 1789
He did not run for the position
As a war hero he was seen as the best person to unite the country.
Washington sets precedents
Sets up “The Cabinet”
Adds “So help me God” to the oath of office
Only serves two terms

2. First Political Parties
Washington hated the idea of political parties
He never had to run for office
Two ideological camps began to form in his cabinet
Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of the Treasury
Federalist
Believed in a strong central government
Feared the people
Loose interpretation of the Constitution
Thomas Jefferson – Secretary of State
Democratic-Republicans
Shared power between federal and state
Democracy for regular people
Strict interpretation of the Constitution

3. The Election of 1796
First time the United States had a contested election
John Adams (Washington’s Vice President)
Thomas Jefferson (Washington’s Secretary of State)
First time we had political parties
Adams – Federalist
Jefferson – Democratic-Republican
Adams wins 71 electoral votes--All the northern states
Jefferson wins 68 electoral votes--All the southern states
Because of the way the system was designed John Adams became the President and Thomas Jefferson Vice-President

4. Adams has a pretty bad few years
America was on the brink of war with France
Adams tries to avoid war at all costs, because France is very strong and would have beaten us.
His party passes the Alien and Sedition Acts
Federalists were mistrustful of immigrants, who supported the Democratic-Republican party.
Raised the residence requirement from 5 years to 14 years.
Allowed the President to deport or jail any alien considered undesirable
Set jail terms for anyone expressing “false, scandalous and malicious statements” against the government.
Is this Constitutional?

5. The Campaign for the Election of 1800
The election of 1800 was a rematch between President John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
Things get ugly
Adams (Democratic-Republicans) is accused of being a tool of the rich who wanted to turn America into a British style monarchy
Jefferson (Federalists) accused of being a dangerous supporter of revolutions, a lover of all things French and an atheist.
Results: Jefferson Wins!
Which party is now in charge?