The New Republic “The Federalist Era” 1789-1800

1. The New Republic“The Federalist Era”1789-1800 Mr. Owens

2. Essential Questions: • During the era New Republic, what led to the creation of political parties? • What were the main foreign policy initiatives developed by the United States during the post-revolutionary era? • What main advice did George Washington offer in his Farewell Address and to what extent did Americans heed his warnings?

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 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. Nullificationissue 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”?