1. Creating the “Virtuous Republic”
The Presidencies of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson

2. Creating the “Virtuous Republic”
Classical view of a model republic
Govt. gets its authority from the citizens.
A selfless, educated citizenry.
Elections should be frequent.
Govt. should guarantee individual rights & freedoms.
Govt.’s power should be limited [checks & balances].
The need for a written Constitution.
“E Pluribus Unum.” [“Out of many, one”]
An important role for women  raise good, virtuous citizens. [“Republican Womanhood”].
Enlightenment Thinking
The “Virtuous Republic”
Ideal citizen [Cincinnatus]
“City on a hill” [John Winthrop]

3. Washington is elected Asked to serve as president in 1789
Reluctant leader
Reluctant: Has no precedent to work from. What he establishes is the precedent! In a letter to Henry Knox in 1789, he likens the presidency to going to execution. “Integrity and Firmness is all I can promise”
He does not feel he has the ability to run the country

4. Judiciary Act of 1789
Why?
Needed to define court system established by Constitution.
Supreme Court
Chief Justice
5 associates
3 Federal Circuit Courts
13 federal district courts
Section 25
Allowed State court decisions to appeal to federal courts

5. Cabinet Cabinet Members State: Foreign Affairs War: Military Affairs
3 initial Departments
State: Foreign Affairs
Thomas Jefferson
War: Military Affairs
Henry Knox
Treasury: Financial Affairs
Alexander Hamilton

6. Hamilton vs. Jefferson Hamilton’s Views Jefferson’s Views
Concentrate power in federal government
Share power with state & local government
Republic led by a well educated few
Democracy of virtuous farmers & trades people
Loose interpretation of Constitution
Strict interpretation of Constitution
Favors National Bank
Anti-National Bank
Later called Dem.-Republicans
Today’s Democrats

7. Bank of the United States
Controversial!
Tied wealthy investors to government
Opponents stated the Constitution had no provision to allow government to create Bank
“Loose” vs. “Strict”
“Elastic Clause” (pg 158)
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18

8. Hamilton’s Economic Plan
Resolve Debt
2/3 Federal:
Foreign & Private Citizens War Bonds
1/3 State
Pay Off Foreign Debt
Assume State’s Debts
Needed State support for government
Issue New Bonds to pay Citizens Back

9. Debt Bill
Southern states upset most had paid back debt  did not want to pay taxes to pay off Northern debt
Compromise to allow Hamilton’s economic plan to pass
Capital moved to Washington, DC to get southern states to agree to Debt bill

10. Foreign Relations 1. The French Revolution
Views:
Democrat Republicans
Federalists
President Washington
Jefferson resigns his post in 1793

11. 2. Spain
Pickney’s Treaty
3. England
The Jay Treaty

12. Whiskey Rebellion 2 causes
Protective Tariff instituted on imported goods from Europe
Excise Tax on domestic manufactured whiskey
Effect
Western frontiersmen rebel
Were met by 15,000 militia men led by Washington & Hamilton
Demonstrated Federal Government’s power

13. Issues with Native Americans
Battle of Fallen Timbers, 1792
Treaty of Grenville

14. John Adams

15. Election of 1796 Washington does not run for a 3rd term
The issue of the election

17. Early Troubles for a New Nation
Domestic
Foreign
Judiciary Act 1789
Pickney Treaty w/ Spain
Eliminating Debt
Battle of Fallen Timbers
Establishing a National Bank
Jay’s Treaty
Whiskey Rebellion
XYZ Affair
Creation of 2-party politics
Alien & Sedition Acts

18. “XYZ” Affair - 1798 Jay Treaty leads to increased tensions with France
Adams sends 3 diplomats to French foreign minister
Instead, diplomats see 3 low-level officials Adams refers to as “Agent X, Y, Z” in report to Congress
Diplomats demand $250,000 to see Foreign Minister
Scandal becomes known as XYZ Affair
Effect:
Great Anti-French sentiments
Creation of Navy department
George Washington comes out of retirement to head 50,000 troops
Alien & Sedition Acts -1798

19. Alien & Sedition Acts vs. Virginia & Kentucky Resolution
Raised residence acts for American citizenship to 14 years
President could deport any undesirable
Set fines/jail terms for anyone expressing “false, scandalous, or malicious statements” against government
Virginia & Kentucky Resolution were reaction
Allowed state governments to nullify – consider void – any act of Congress they felt unconstitutional

20. Thomas Jefferson

21. Election of 1800 Adams & Pinckney (Federalists)
Jefferson & Burr (Dem.- Republicans)
Dem.-Republicans win
However, Jefferson & Burr tie with electoral votes
Expose Flaw in system
To the opposition: TJ supports French revolutionaries and is an atheist who wants to destroy organized religion, Adams is a supporter of the wealthy and wants to turn the presidency into a monarchy

22. Election of 1800 Tally
Jefferson
Adams
Pinckney
Burr
Jay

23. Effects of Election of 1800 2 distinct political parties
12th Amendment
Electors cast separate ballots for president & vice-president
Defined American political system still used today

24. Jeffersonian Presidency
Simplifying the presidency
Reduced the government
Cut costs
Reduced army & navy
Eliminated internal taxes
Reduced role of National bank
Favored Free Trade
Replaced Federalist judges with Dem-Repub ones
Foreign Policy

25. Marbury vs. Madison - 1803 Result of Judiciary Act of 1801
Adams packed court w/ Midnight Judges
Why?
Supreme Court ruled “Midnight Judges” were unconstitutional
Set precedent of judicial review
What is this?

26. Louisiana Purchase Causes: Spain gives land to France
France decides not to pursue American empire
Napoleon sells land for 15 million
Effects:
Doubles America’s size
Lewis & Clark appointed to lead expedition of new territory

27. Louisiana Purchase Louisiana Purchase doubled US size
Lewis & Clark exploration

28. Publicity Stunt Gone Wrong
Burr challenges Hamilton to a duel
Long standing hatred of each other
July 11, 1804, Burr and Hamilton toss dice to see who goes first
Hamilton shoots, but shoots in the air
Burr shoots Hamilton right in the chest
Hamilton’s death further weakens the Federalist Party presence in Congress