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The Early Years of American Politics: Washington's Presidency and Party Rivalries

The first twelve years following the Constitution witnessed significant political strife, with Washington and Adams at the helm. The Federalists, led by Hamilton, advocated for a strong national government and an industrial economy, while Jefferson and the Republicans favored agrarian interests and a more modest governmental role. The era was marked by financial turmoil, including immense national debt and the need for taxation. Key developments included the establishment of the Supreme Court and the contentious creation of a National Bank, setting the stage for ongoing party conflicts and political evolution in America.

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The Early Years of American Politics: Washington's Presidency and Party Rivalries

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  1. The gw years Domestic Issues

  2. GW • The first 12 years of the Constitution are filled with animosity (two terms of GW; one of Adams) • Congress is up and running in 1789, but it is definitely not smooth sailing • There are two political parties developing rapidly • Federalists and Republicans • Federalists will dominate politics for the first 12 years of the Constitution • GW felt that the President should not get caught up in political controversies, so the parties tend to battle it out over issues

  3. GW • Federalists • Alexander Hamilton • Wealthy • Strong National Govt. • Genuine Nation-State • Complex Commercial Economy • Industrial • Big place in World Affairs • Broad/Loose Constructionists • Republicans • Thomas Jefferson • Less wealthy • Modest (Weak) National Govt. • Yeoman Society (Farmer/Agrarian) • Not Industrial • Isolated • Strict Constructionists

  4. GW • First Cabinet • Pres.- GW (VA) • VP- John Adams (MA) • Sec. of State- TJ (VA) • Treasury- Hamilton (NY) • War- Henry Knox (MA) • Att. Gen.- Edmund Randolph (VA)

  5. FIRST SUPREME COURT • President Washington appoints 6 justices to the Supreme Court • 3 from North and 3 from South • Judiciary Act of 1789, Congress created lower courts to assist the Supreme Court. John Jay first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

  6. GW • The dominant figure in the administration becomes Hamilton • Huge influence on foreign and domestic policy • Truly believes in an elite ruling class • The govt. needs support from the wealthy/elite, so it’s important to give them a stake in its success

  7. GW • Debt is a HUGE problem that has to be overcome during GW’s presidency • The US is in desperate need of currency • $55-60 million in debt • $12 million to France/Netherlands • $40-plus million to individual Americans • Many soldiers from the Revolution were never paid • Individual States will owe $25 million

  8. GW • Taxation will be the key element to the early success of the govt. • Taxes are the foundation of the “Federalist Program” • Protective tariffs- high tax on imports to protect American industry • Revenue tariffs- low tax on imports designed to provide income for the govt. (generally between 5% and 8%) • Excise tax- tax on alcoholic beverages that is placed on the manufacturer, then passed to the customer • Sale of Public lands

  9. GW • Hamilton’s plan has four basic principles: • 1) Foreign creditors must be paid immediately and in full • Can’t be independent owing other nations $ • Paying nations quickly and in full makes us credit-worthy • In order to generate money, govt. needs to tax

  10. GW • 2) Domestic debt should be paid ASAP and in full • War Bonds • Bonds had fallen by 80%, • Hamilton insists on paying the full amounts • will show that the govt. makes good on its promises • This will also allow the govt. to enact more taxes • Funding Bill will pass in 1790, but not without a struggle put up by the Republicans

  11. GW • 3) The Federal Govt. should assume the debts of the States • Whatever an individual state owes, the govt. will assume the responsibility of paying those debts • All of the states fought for the entire nation , therefore the national govt. should take care of them • Generate this money through taxes • Hamilton has to wheel and deal to get this passed • Republicans are against it • Has to agree to move the capital into the South • Assumption Act is passed; Washington D.C. will be created

  12. GW • 4) The creation of a National Bank • Place for the federal govt. to deposit money • Taxes, private deposits, etc. • The govt. will be able to make loans from here • Can issue paper currency from here, backed by gold/silver • Paper $ can be exchanged for hard currency on demand • Stable center for our weak banking system • Thomas Jefferson’s head nearly blows up over this issue

  13. BANK OF THE U.S. BUS • JEFFERSON • Against the Constitution • State banks would collapse • Only wealthy could invest in bank and would control bank than control the government • Hurt the common man • Strict construction…If it is not mentioned in the Constitution than there can’t be a national bank. • Against a national debt • HAMILTON • Safe place to deposit and transfer money • Provide loans to government and state banks • A national currency---$$$$$ • An investment by people to buy stock into US bank • Constitution did not forbid a national bank….Loose construction of Constitution • National debt good for country

  14. GW • Republicans are very scared of the Federalists at this stage • Feel as though there will be no limits to federal power if the Federalist Program continues to be unchecked • Also think the federal power is only benefitting Northern states • Many common people are also disillusioned

  15. GW • Things boil over with the Whiskey Rebellion • Western farmers find it very costly to ship grain/corn/rye east • Whiskey was often used as currency; taking that away as well • Anti-tax sentiment is very strong in PA • People will refuse to pay the tax • Will also attack collectors and neighbors • Very similar to Shays; state government slow to act

  16. GW • National Govt. will not be slow to act • GW will personally lead 12,000 troops into PA (militias from 3 states) • Rebellion will be crushed • Leaders will be brought up on charges of treason • GW will pardon them

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