1. The New Republic “The Federalist Era” 1789-1800
Mr. Owens
Crash Course 9: Where US Politics Came From

2. Essential Questions:
What were the key precedents established by Washington and Adams and which key government institutions were created?
What were the causes of the emergence of the first party system and what were the key positions and leaders of the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans?
What were the key treaties signed by representatives of United States government during the Federalist period?
Why did the French Revolution and the ensuring war between Britain and France cause political tension in America?

3. Washington Presidency (1789-1797)
Chosen unanimously as 1st President, J. Adams VP
Inaugurated in New York 4/30/1789
Washington’s Cabinet: Sec. of State - Jefferson, Treasury - Hamilton, War - Henry Knox, Attorney General - Edmund Randolph
Judiciary Act of 1789: established Supreme Court with a Chief Justice (John Jay) and 5 additional Justices & 13 District Courts & 3 circuit courts of appeals.
Hamilton’s Economic Program:
Supported by Northern Merchants
Opposed by South, Jefferson & Anti-Federalists
Report on Public Credit: Pay off national war debt in full & Assumption of state debts, compromise= move capitol to DC
Report on Manufactures: Protect infant industries through tariff & create revenue – Congress passed moderate tariff but rejected “protective tariff” so pushed for excise tax on liquor for revenue.
2nd Report on Public Credit: A privately owned National Bank for federal deposits & printing currency, used “Necessary & Proper” Clause which upset many including Madison

4. Foreign Affairs
The French Revolution (1789) Jefferson pushed for support for revolutionaries called for alliance against Britain seizing US ships, Federalists opposed: horrified by “mob rule” & executions.
Haitian Revolution (1791) US loaned France $ and sold weapons to French planters to suppress it – why? Rebel victory in 1793 led to harsher slave codes in South
Proclamation of Neutrality (1793) US remain neutral in conflict between England & France, Jefferson resigned.
“Citizen” Edmond Genet: threatened neutrality by appealing directly to American people for support for French. Recalled but became US citizen.
Jay Treaty (1794) Chief Justice John Jay sent to Britain to deal with impressment, but Britain only agreed to vacate western frontier forts – angry response & Neutrality unpopular.
Pinckney Treaty (1795) Thomas Pinckney sent to Spain, Spain feared US-British alliance, agreed to give open New Orleans port & Mississippi to US trade & accepted Florida border on 31st parallel.

5. Domestic Issues American Indian conflict:
Northwest Confederacy under Chief Little Turtle formed to stop western settlement in Ohio Valley supported by British
Defeated at Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794) by US under Gen. Anthony Wayne
Treaty of Greenville (1795) tribes cede Ohio Valley but government promises that future land can only be taken by treaty
Whiskey Rebellion (1794) western PA farmers revolted against tax collectors of excise tax on whiskey. Washington federalized 15,000 state militia men under Hamilton’s command – rebellion collapsed with little bloodshed. Divided reaction.
Western Lands: Congress encouraged rapid settlement of territory: Public Land Act (1796) orderly process of dividing & selling federal land – new states: Vermont (1791), Kentucky (1792), Tennessee (1796)

6. First Two Party System
Caused by Federalist v. Anti-Federalist debate, Hamilton’s program, & French Revolution – formed by 1796
Federalists (Hamilton, John Adams) – Loose interpretation & strong central government, Pro-British, strong army & navy, economy based on manufacturing and trade, popular in Northeast
Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson, Madison) – Strict Interpretation, strong State government, Pro-French, individual rights, and rural farming economy, popular in South and Frontier.

7. Washington’s Farewell Address
Aided by Hamilton & printed in newspapers in late 1796
Warned Americans against:
Getting too involved in European affairs
Forming Political Parties
Permanent Alliances & Foreign Influence
Falling into sectionalism
Set Two-Term precedent not broken until FDR in 1940

8. Election of 1796
Election of 1796: Adams wins, but rival Jefferson comes in 2nd & becomes VP (12th Amendment in 1804 changes system)

9. John Adams Presidency (1797-1801)
Term dominated by political divide over “Quasi War” with France
XYZ Affair (1797) U.S. merchant ships seized by French, delegation including John Marshall sent, agents “XYZ” demanded bribe – rejected led to call for war – but Adams demanded peace
Created the Department of Navy
Alien & Sedition Acts (1798) Federalists passed Naturalization Act increasing 5 to 14 years for citizenship, Alien Acts allowed president power to deport dangerous aliens & arrest in time of war, Sedition Act: newspaper editors could not criticize the president or Congress (repealed in 1801)
Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions (1799) (Madison & Jefferson) Sedition Act violated 1st Amendment & States had right to “Nullify” laws of the federal government that exceeds their power. Nullification issue will continue to be controversial throughout American history

10. Election of 1800
Federalists & Adams unpopular due to Alien & Sedition Acts, & taxes for Quasi War defense preparation
Democratic-Republicans sweep presidency, & both houses of Congress
Jefferson-Burr tie Hamilton convinced Federalist lame duck House to choose Jefferson
“Midnight Appointments” Adams appointed numerous new justices including John Marshall as Chief Justice – Federalists remained in control of Judicial Branch for decades
“Revolution of 1800”?