1. New Government Differing Opinions on governing the New Nation

2. PRESIDENT WASHINGTON George Washington- unanimous choice to be nation’s 1 st President The Constitution had provided a framework for government, but the creation of the government now fell in Washington’s hands “We are in a wilderness without a single footstep to guide us” -James Madison Washington and Congress passed Judiciary Act of 1789 Constitution remained “Supreme Law of Land” Established federal and district courts

3. PRESIDENTIAL CABINET Thomas Jefferson Chosen by Washington as the Secretary of the State Proponent of weaker federal government, with strong state and local governments Distrusted the wealthy Alexander Hamilton Chosen by Washington as the Secretary of the Treasury Believed in strong central government Government should be led by educated, upper-class citizens

5. Political Parties Emerge “However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” - George Washington Do you agree with Washington?

6. 2 POLITICAL PARTIES Due to the differing viewpoints on Washington’s Cabinet, a two-party political system emerged Federalists (Alexander Hamilton) favored strong central government Democratic-Republicans (Thomas Jefferson) favored strong state and local governments Example: Southern Colonies

7. Election of 1796 Washington: leery of political division, did not seek 3 rd term Federalist Candidate: Vice President John Adams Democratic-Republican Candidate: Thomas Jefferson Constitution- stated that loser of Presidential Campaign becomes V.P Adams wins election by 3 votes; Jefferson must be V.P according to Const. Problems?

8. Tensions With France 1789- French Revolution occurs Overthrow of King Louis XVI sparks French attempt at Republicanism (FAIL) November 1794- John Jay (Supreme Court Chief Justice) negotiated treaty with Great Britain over Northwest Territory British agreed to evacuate trading posts in NW (were fighting France at time) Allowed British to continue fur trading on American side of border w/ CA Problem: France regarded Jay’s Treaty as violation of US-French alliance France began to seize U.S ships bound for England

9. XYZ AFFAIR Adams: Sends 3 men to Paris to negotiate with French Foreign Minister Talleyrand France: sends 3 low-level gov. officials Demands $250K to see Talleyrand Congress has power to declare war Est’d Navy in 1798; seized French ships for 2 years Federalists called for war with France; Adams refused

10. ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS Alien Acts Increased Residence Requirements for Citizenship from 5 years to 14 years Allowed President to deport/jail any alien considered “undesirable” Many immigrants supported the Democratic-Republican party Sedition Act Imposed fines and jail terms for individuals attempting to defame government Any “false, scandalous, and malicious statements” about government were punishable Democratic-Republicans dubbed these acts a violation of 1 st Amendment rights

11. Democratic-Republican Response Led by Jefferson and Madison; Dem-Rep’s sought appeal at the state level Saw Alien and Sedition Acts as abuse of power on behalf of Fed Gov Jefferson: proposed legislation approved in Kentucky Madison: proposed legislation approved in Virginia Kentucky Resolution: claimed states had right to nullify (consider void) Congressional acts that the states determined to be unconstitutional Problem: Constitution is “supreme law of the land.” Today: any state laws that oppose federal laws?