Launching the new nation

1. Launching the new nation Ch 6

2. Washington’s Presidency With the ratification of the constitution it was understood that George Washington would be the nation’s first executive. In April of 1789, Washington was elected unanimously (John Adams was VP). He was reluctant about taking the job, but nevertheless set out for New York (first capital).

3. Washington’s Administration • Thomas Jefferson – Secretary of State • Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of Treasury • Henry Knox – Secretary of War

4. Philosophical difference between Jefferson and Hamilton Hamilton’s views Jefferson’s views • Strong central govt. • Educated upper class would lead • Fear of mob rule • Loose interpretation of constitution • Economy based on Trade and industry • State and local govt. share power with fed. Govt. • Democracy of ordinary people • Fear of absolute power • Strict interpretation of constitution • Economy based on farming

5. Hamilton’s financial plan • The biggest challenge that the new nation and administration faced was financial ones. • Hamilton proposed the following financial plan • Pay off foreign debt • Assume the debt of the states • Creation of a federal bank (Bank of the U.S.)

6. Opposition to Hamilton's plan • Some thought creating a bank would start a trend of govt. favoritism of wealthy business interests • Southerners especially disliked the plan because • most southern states had paid off most of their debt • It seemed to favor the north and rich merchants

7. A NEW CAPITAL CITY • In order to gain southern support Hamilton proposed moving the capital from New York to Virginia • In 1790 the Debt bill passed and the capital was moved to the District of Columbia • A French Engineer Pierre L’Enfant designed the new capital city

8. First Political Parties • Because of the sharp differences of T. Jefferson and A. Hamilton and Hamilton’s Financial Plan the first two political parties developed • Supporters of Hamilton called themselves Federalists • Supporters of Jefferson called themselves Democrat-Republicans

9. In 1789 Congress passed a protective tariff designed to raise revenue. With the tariff a excise tax was also placed on Whiskey (a tax on a products manufacture, sale, or distribution) This made back country famers extremely mad b/c that was there main source of revenue Some refused to pay the tax, some beat up federal marshals, threatened to leave the union and burned collectors barns. George Washington personally led thousands of militia to put down the rebellion *** Importance – Federal government showed its strength and willingness to act on domestic issues. Whiskey Rebellion

10. Settlers v. Natives • Another major issue facing the young country was the violent natives west of the Appalachian Mountains • Encouraged by the British and feeling hostile because the U.S. wouldn’t negotiate with them to keep tribal lands Natives attacked Settlers in the Ohio valley

11. Hostile Native actions • Little Turtle- a chief of the Miami tribe defeated federal armies led by numerous generals • Battle of Fallen Timbers – appointed by Washington to lead troops against the Miami tribe, General Anthony Wayne defeated the Miami Confederacy in 1794.

12. 1795 Spain gave up all claims east of the Mississippi to the U.S. (except Florida) Spain also agreed to open up travel on the Mississippi River to U.S. Citizens. Jay’s Treaty – 1794 John Jay chief justice of the Supreme Court signed a treaty with Great Britain Britain agreed to evacuate posts in the Northwest territories, if the British were allowed to continue trading fur south of the U.S. Canada border Pinckney's treaty and Jay's Treaty

13. Executive precedents set by Washington • Since Washington was the first President, he established a lot of the precedents for how a President exercises the powers stated and not stated in the Constitution • Established The Cabinet or advisors (presidential helpers, which was not listed in the Constitution) • Established the policy of neutrality in foreign wars (followed by the U.S. until WW I) • Serve only 2 terms or eight years as president • Established the tradition of a Presidential Farewell address. • Introduced ideas of a national bank.

14. In 1797, Washington retired and gave up the presidency. In His Farewell address he warned Americans of entangling alliance with European nations and the danger of political parties dividing the country. Certain kings and other rulers around the world commented that Washington must be a great man to willingly give up that much power. He finally was able to remove himself from public affairs and live a quiet life back at Mt. Vernon. Washington’s Resignation and Death

15. Washington’s death • December 14, 1799 Washington died after catching a cold, while riding throughout his property. • The U.S.’s Founding Father death was felt throughout the nation and the world as Napoleon ordered ten days of mourning in France.

16. In 1796 John Adams narrowly defeated the Democratic –Republican candidate Thomas Jefferson. Following the directives written in the constitution Jefferson became the VP. Adams is elected Prez

17. XYZ Affair • Adam’s first major crisis as President came in the form of conflict with France. • Relations with France had gotten bad after Jay’s treaty, when French officials started seizing U.S. ships and refusing American diplomats. • President Adams sent a 3 man team to discuss these issues with French foreign minister Talleyrand. • Three low level officials ,whom Adams referred to as officials as X,Y, and Z, tried to demand payment of 250,000 to see Talleyrand. • Americans and President Adams were furious and anti-French feelings were High. • Although official war between France and the U.S. was never declared the two countries fought naval battles on the seas

18. Alien and Sedition Acts • Alien Acts • Raised residence requirements for becoming a citizen from 5 to 14 years • Allowed the President to put any alien (foreigner) out of the country or in jail if they wanted • Sedition Act – set fines and jail terms for anyone making negative statements towards the government • *** These acts were passed by Federalists because of the Anti- French feelings and many immigrants were active in the Democratic – Republican party.

19. In opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts James Madison wrote up a set of proposals which became the Virginia Proposal T. Jefferson wrote resolutions that were passed in Kentucky The Kentucky resolution also asserted the principle of nullification, which said that states had the right to nullify or void any act of Congress that it considered unconstitutional. Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

20. Once again Thomas Jefferson (Dem - Rep) and John Adams (Fed) were competing for the Presidency The Democrat –Republicans Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr defeated Adams, but wound up with the same number of electoral college votes. The House of Rep. then had to decide which would be president. Alex Hamilton was influential in Jefferson gaining the Presidency. The election showed a flaw in the electing process and led to the 12th Amendment Hard feelings between Burr and Hamilton led to dual in which Hamilton was killed. Election of 1800

21. Characteristics of Jefferson and His Presidency • He believed in simple government • He tried to reduce the royalty of the office of President, (He walked to his inauguration as a symbolic gesture) • He believed that the people were the source of a govt.’s power, so he paid closer attention to the common man • He proposed a laissez faire policy by the govt. • Jefferson was extremely well educated and his collection of books became the library of Congress

22. In 1803 the U.S. purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for 15 million dollars Why did Napoleon sell that much territory? He had abandoned hopes of an American empire b/c of problems controlling Saint Dominique Wanted to focus on Europe He thought a stronger U.S.A. would rival Britain’s power Louisiana Purchase

23. Exploring the new territory • Jefferson was eager to learn about the newly acquired territory Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the new territory • He set the following objectives for them; • find sources of Mississippi, • find route across Rocky Mountains to Pacific Ocean • Observe customs of the natives they met • Note the features of the land, weather, plants and animals. • Sacajawea – A native lady who served as an interpreter and guide for Lewis and Clark

24. Lewis, Clark, and Sacajawea

25. John Adams wanted to fill federal judge positions with Federalists who held positions for life and therefore could shape national policy for a long time. So just before he left office he had the Judiciary act of 1801 passed, which increase the number of federal judges by 16. These judges were called Midnight Judges. Judiciary Act of 1801

26. Marbury vs. Madison- Monumental supreme court case that established the principle of judicial review *Judicial Review- The power by the Judicial Branch or Supreme Court to decide whether laws passed by Congress were Constitutional Marbury v. Madison

27. James Madison was president of the U.S. during the War of 1812. He listed these 3 causes for the war Impressments – British officials were seizing Americans and forcing them to serve in the British Navy. Chesapeake incident – British warship tried to stop the American ship, (Chesapeake) when the ship refused the British fired on the ship killing 3 and wounding 18 Americans. British officials were encouraging natives to attack settlers and U.S. Army posts. War of 1812

28. The Course of the War • After President Madison declared war, the British captured Detroit and defeated an American army invading Canada. • In 1813 the Americans started winning some victories and retook Detroit. • There were three significant battles in the war.

29. Battle of Washington- B/c of the British dominance at sea (Navy) they raided towns and cities along the ATL. Coast In 1814 British entered the capital and burned the White House, capital and other govt. buildings Baltimore A few weeks after the battle of Washington, the British failed to take the city of Baltimore. Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner during this battle New Orleans After the war was over Jan. 1815 Andy Jackson won a great victory over British forces He also defeated the Creek in the famous battle of Horseshoe Bend (AL) Important Battles

30. December 24, 1814 Great Britain and the U.S. signed an armistice – agreement to stop fighting. No territory changed hand nor were any of the issues that caused the war addressed or solved Both sides were eager for peace. Treaty of Ghent

31. Day 1 • Opener – Quote • "There are two levers for moving men, interest and fear" • Napoleon Bonaparte • In class Schedule • Homework

32. Day 2 • What southern state is the only state with laws not based on British Law? • In class Schedule • Homework

33. Day 3 • Opener: • If you could change any law in the U.S. which law would you change? Why? • In class Schedule • Homework

34. Day 4 • Opener – quote • "All it takes for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing" • Bruce Edwards • In class Schedule • Homework

35. Day 5 • Opener-Trivia • What president’s portrait is on a two dollar bill? • In class Schedule • Homework