The New Republic Launching of the New Government
Debate over Ratification Framers called for each state to have a special convention and then vote 9/13 needed to ratify Constitution Federalists Antifederalists
Federalists Supported Constitution Said Checks & Balances would protect citizens from too strong a central government George Washington, James Madison
Antifederalists Feared government would bend to privileged minority Constitution lacked protection of people s individual rights Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams
Resolution Federalist Papers 85 anonymous essays printed in newspapers supporting the Federalist cause Written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison Bill of Rights People demanded one Federalists promised they would add one (they did) States eventually ratify becomes reality in 1789
We are in a wilderness without a single footstep to guide us James Madison
New Government George Washington picked to be first president reluctantly accepted 1 st President set many precedents
Judiciary Act of 1798 Put in the details of how the Judicial system would work Supreme court would have a Chief Justice (John Jay) along with 5 associate judges Set up 3 federal Circuit courts and 13 Federal District courts (this number has since increased) Guaranteed Federal laws supercede State laws
G.W. creates Cabinet Congress created 3 executive departments to help the Pres. & V.P. Dept. of State Foreign affairs Thomas Jefferson Dept. of War Military affairs Henry Knox Dept. of Treasury Financial affairs Alexander Hamilton Also added Attorney General Edmund Randolph
District of Columbia Formed Formed to gain support of South Moved Capital from N.Y. to banks of Potomac River Planned City
Ideological Divisions Hamilton and Jefferson disagree Gives rise to Political Parties Federalists (Hamilton) Republican (Jefferson)
Federalists Strong Central Government Rule by wise elite National Bank Economy based on industry Loose interpretation of Constitution Republicans Power shared between Federal, State, and Local govs. National Bank unconstitutional Democracy of virtuous farmers and tradespeople Strict interpretation of Constitution
G.W. criticizes party politics It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another; foments [incites] occasionally riots and insurrection, it opens the door to foreign influence and corruption George Washington or Nastrodamus?
Whiskey Rebellion 1794 - Hamilton pushed through the idea of an excise tax (tax on manufacture,sale, & distribution) on whiskey Farmers west of Appalachians made whiskey in Penn. They refused to pay tax and threatened to secede Washington sent in troops- nobody hurt but gov. authority proved
1796 Washington decides not to seek a third term. Warned of 3 dangers in farewell speech Avoid sectionalism Don t have Political Parties Don t get involved overseas Don t forget religious heritage Of all the dispositions and habits which led to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports Election: John Adams (Fed) vs. Thomas Jefferson (Rep) people have to make a choice for first time Adams gets 71 electoral votes, Jefferson 68 John Adams new president with T.J. as Vicepresident
John Adams & X,Y,Z affair Relations with French going badly Adams sent ambassadors to meet with Tallyrand Instead were met by 3 diplomats who Adams called X,Y,Z in report to congress they demanded a $250,000 bribe to be given speaking privileges Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute Department of Navy created Though many call for it, Adams avoids war