8.3 – The First Political Parties

1. 8.3 – The First Political Parties EQ: Explain what prompted the passing of the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions and discuss their significance in the conflict between the first political parties. (Home Learning – Separate Paper)

2. 8.3 – The First Political Parties OBJ: Explain how the first political parties began and identify their fundamental differences in points of view. Explain the concern that John Adams had with the French Revolution and his reactions to it. What role did the French Revolution play in the development of our first political parties and the conflicts between them.

3. Read And Restate In Your Words In contemplating the causes which may disturb our Union, it occurs as matter of very serious concern, that any ground should have been furnished for characterizing parties by geographical discriminations. . . . One of the expedients of party to acquire influence . . . is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. . . . Let me now . . . warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effect of the spirit of party. . . . It serves always to distract the Public Councils . . . agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another. ~ George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796

6. I. Formation of Political Parties • 1796: GW - after 2nd term, decided to not run for 3rd • At 64, his health was fading • very troubled over divisions in the country - forming of Political Parties • Divisions arose between 2 key advisors • formed country’s 1st two political parties • Alexander Hamilton • (Federalist) Thomas Jefferson (Dem - Republican)

7. D. Federalists & D-Republicans • Party led by Thomas Jefferson • limited fed gov’t & increased individual • freedoms strong state gov’t • Supported the FR and were against the BR • Stirct interpretation of Constitution • Party led by Alexander Hamilton • Wanted a strong Federal Government • Admired Britain and distrusted France • Loose interpretation of Constitution

8. C & C FIRST PARTIES

9. C & C FIRST PARTIES

10. II. 2nd Pres. John Adams 1797 • Election 1796:ran against Federalist Thomas Jefferson • Adams won by 3 Electoral Votes • 1st Major Issue – Conflict With FR. • US & French warships got into some small fights • FR citizens in U.S. stirring up Americans AGAINST Washington

11. 2. Conflict with France Cont. • Conflict caused creation of several Acts • Naturalization Act • 14 years to become citizen • showed US distrust of immg’ts (esp. FR) • Sedition Act • made it a crime to criticize the US government • Alien Acts • Pres can imprison/deport aliens if considered dangerous. • The act angered Dem Republicans like Jefferson. WHY?

12. III. Reactions: Jays Treaty • Dem Rep like Jefferson angered. • Why? • FR viewed Jay’s Treaty as a sign that America sided w/BR • Began seizing US ships • Adams sends delegates to negotiate. • FR foreign minister refused to meet • Sent 3 agents instead • III. XYZ Affair – YouTube Ignite Learning • Demanded a bribe/loans before talks started

13. III. Reactions: XYZ.. • Presidents Response: • Adams urged Congress to prepare for War • Navy & army increased • GW appt commander • Other Response: • Most Americans saw FR as enemy • Dem- Republicans favored FR (quietly) • Some DR’s Voted out of office in 1798… • Resolution: • Adams eventually seeks a treaty w/FR • Some Federalists disagree – splits the FED party - easier for DR to win 1800 election

14. III. D.R Reaction to Alien/Sedition Acts • James Madison & Thomas Jeffersonprotest –claiming Federalist tyranny on civil liberties. • 1798 – Virginia Plan & Kentucky Resol. • A & S Acts are unconstitutional • States have right to nullify laws they see as legally unconstitutional • Resolutions Affirm concept of states rights • The federal gov’t only has powers specifically stated in the Constitution • All others belong to States – as the 10th amend

15. Sedition Act, July 14, 1798 • “SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall write, print, utter or publish, or shall cause or procure to be written, printed, uttered or published, or shall knowingly and willingly assist or aid in writing, printing, uttering or publishing any false, scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government of the United States,…… with intent to defame . . . or to bring them. . . into contempt or disrepute; or to excite against them, . . . the hatred of the good people of the United States, . . . or to aid, encourage or abet any hostile designs of any foreign nation against the United States, their people or government, then such person, being thereof convicted before any court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, and by imprisonment not exceeding two years.”

16. Alien Act, July 14, 1798 • “SECTION. 1. … it shall be lawful for the President of the U.S. at any time during the continuance of this act, to order all such aliens as he shall judge dangerous to the peace and safety of the U.S. or shall have reasonable grounds to suspect are concerned in any treasonable or secret machinations against the government …, to depart out of the territory of the United States, within such time as shall be expressed in such order, . . . And in case any alien, so ordered to depart, shall be found at large within the U.S. after the time limited in such order for his departure, and not having obtained a license from the President to reside therein, … every such alien shall, on conviction…., be imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years, and shall never after be admitted to become a citizen of the United States.”