Chapter 6, Section 2

1. Chapter 6, Section 2 Partisan Politics

2. George Washington’s Reign • 1789-1797 • What else was going on in the world at this time? • The French Revolution • 1st term foreign policy • “Friendly and impartial” • GB & France at war • Siege, ships intercepted • Indians and western settlers

3. Early Problems w/ Britain • John Jay to GB • Jay’s Treaty • 1 – GB can seize ships in France • 2 – No compensation for past • 3 – U.S. = “most favored nation” • 4 – U.S. can trade with GB’s colonies • Who won? Who was angry? • GB, Both sides • Anti-fed/Republicans furious (Feds are Pro-GB!) • Senate ratified, GW signed • Success: Avoided war, slightly helped economy • Failure: Divided nation further, Favored GB

4. PINCKNEY’S TREATY • Spain allied with France • Thomas Pinckney (SC) to negotiate • 1795 – Treaty of San Lorenzo (Pinckney’s Treaty) • Right to MS River and New Orleans

5. WESTWARD EXPANSION • Indian conflicts in NW Territory • GW/Knox sent in Gen. Anthony Wayne to ensure safety • Some said GW was weak • Some said GW was racist

6. GW STEPS DOWN • GW and retirement / 2 terms • Attacks on his character • Nat’l Bank (Big govt.) • Jay’s Treaty (GB lover) • France vs. GB (weak) • Indians in NW (war hawk/racist)

7. GW STEPS DOWN • Farewell Address • Avoid sectionalism/political parties • “Let me warn you against the baneful effects of the spirit of party…the disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual” • Avoid alliances abroad • “The great rule for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations to have as little political connection as possible. ‘Tis our policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world • Starts 2-term tradition

8. ELECTION OF 1796 • 1st openly contested election • Federalists – John Adams • Republicans – Jefferson • Adams: 71-68 • Becomes 2nd President in 1797 • Who was his VP? • Thomas Jefferson

9. THE QUASI-WAR • France: Jay’s Treaty = anger, New President = opportunity • Adams, to avoid war, sends Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry to negotiate • Weeks pass • Talleyrand – 3 unnamed agents • $250,000 to talk • Loan of 12 million • The XYZ Affair • Ships (w/o commands) begin fighting at sea

10. ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS • Immigrants voted Republican • Feds pass Alien and Sedition Acts • 14 yr. waiting pd. for citizenship • Govt. has power to deport anyone deemed dangerous to U.S. without trial • Federal crime to say/print slander against govt. • 15 Republican journalists jailed

11. THE VA AND KY RESOLUTIONS • Both were states by 1798 • Declared that states can declare federal laws unconstitutional • Interposition: If federal govt. does something unconstitutional, state govt. should step in to protect the citizens • Nullification: If federal govt. passes an unconstitutional law, states can nullify (cancel) it • Sedition Acts? • Written in secret • True authors: Jefferson (KY) and Madison (VA)

12. ELECTION OF 1800 • Federalists: John Adams (for a 2nd term) • D-R: Thomas Jefferson (again) • Electoral college – each elector gets 2 votes • D-R Plan: Everyone vote for TJ, all but one vote for Aaron Burr • The plan didn’t work…tie @ 73 votes each. • Goes to H.O.R. – controlled by Federalists • Tied again…and again…and again… • Jefferson went to work on Reps. • Finally, Jefferson wins by one vote • But what about Burr?

13. Transfer of Power • Peaceful transfers of power are the hallmark of a successful democracy • At the time, the Feds. Controlled the Presidency, the Congress, and the army. Since the results of the election were questionable, the feds. could’ve refused to step down.