Chapter 7: Democracy and Dissent The Violence of Party Politics (1788-1800) AP United States History Week of October 19, 2015
Establishing a New Government Much of George Washington s first administration centered on establishing new precedents and underscoring the power of government First Congress established executive departments War, Treasury (Hamilton), State (Jefferson), and Justice Treasury collected duties and taxes Bureaucracy was small relative to tasks First national census (1790) census tied to representation Judiciary Act of 1789 created the federal court system
Conflicting Visions: Jefferson vs. Hamilton The conflicting visions of government espoused by Jefferson and Hamilton formed the eventual political divide in the United States That divide lasts to this day Hamilton vs. Jefferson Hamilton: advocated strong central government, loose interpretation of Constitution Admired British culture and close diplomatic, economic ties Jefferson: wanted to advance principles of Declaration of Independence Witnessed French Revolution; felt there would be a worldwide assault on monarchy and privilege differed on policy Hamilton: farms, factories, complex financial network (Bank of United States) Jefferson: felt agriculture was key to economic strength; had more faith in the average citizen Feared uncontrolled government would destroy liberties
Hamilton s Plan for Prosperity and Security A (or, the ) main problem facing the nation in 1789 was the state of its finances, especially war debt Hamilton submitted Report on the Public Credit outlining his policy recommendations $54 million in outstanding debt, and states owed $25 million Hamilton promised to a) fund obligations at face value Also and b) urged federal government to assume state debts Why? Madison did not like Hamilton s plan He felt that part a) compromised the ability to pay former soldiers On Part b): critics felt it was a plan to enrich Hamilton s allies In exchange for moving the capital to the banks of the Potomac, Congressmen changed votes and supported Hamilton
The Bank Controversy Hamilton s second report proposed that the nation charter a national bank not only a difference in policy between Hamilton and Jefferson, but also a difference in the interpretation of the Constitution itself The Bank of the United States was to be government-charted private institution Would own millions in government bonds Would be main depository of government, and would issue currency Would also handle complex financial and commercial transactions How did Madison respond? Opponents suspected that banks might perpetuate a monied interest Worse, did the Constitution grant this power? Jefferson felt it was a dangerous overreach of federal power
The Bank Controversy, continued Hamilton s second report proposed that the nation charter a national bank not only a difference in policy between Hamilton and Jefferson, but also a difference in the interpretation of the Constitution itself Washington considered vetoing the charter Hamilton produced a masterful defence invoking implied powers The problem: public debts were associated with a decline in public virtue It was un-republican to make money without physical labour Bank was eventually chartered for 20 years Guess what happened then
Hamilton s Setback: Tariffs Hamilton s third and final report discussed how the government would stimulate manufacturing. He wanted a system of tariffs so that the government could accelerate economic development Madison feared consolidation; Jefferson argued that cities bred vice Madison advocated extreme states rights against federal power Madison also faced election every two years Jefferson felt government will be virtuous if cities remain agricultural Southern congressmen felt tariffs were a way to enrich Hamilton s friends at the south s expense What is happening now with Madison & Jefferson vs. Hamilton? Washington s secretaries Hamilton and Jefferson had produced Congressional factions
Challenges with Foreign Affairs War between Britain and France further split factions in the US, as the Republicans sided with France and the Federalists with Britain Foreign affairs challenges Great Britain: troops occupied American land, did not grant equal trade access France: French Revolution Spread of republicanism or political excess? What should the US do? First crisis: Edmond Genêt authorised American ships to seize British vessels Violated US neutrality, embarrassed Jefferson
More Challenges Jay s Treaty England pushed US to brink of war: forts in northwest, blockaded French ports, capture of US ships in West Indies Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to London to negotiate US got: abandonment of forts, US trade in West Indies However: Britain will still search ships Nothing about neutral rights or slaves Jay s Treaty (1794) angered Republicans
Native Americans, Florida and Ohio England encouraged Natives to attack American settlers in the Northwest Territory Treaty of Greenville, 1794 General Anthony Wayne eliminated Native resistance Treaty ceded Ohio to US Spain began discussing navigation of the Mississippi River Pinckney s Treaty, 1795 Opened Mississippi R., allowed tax-free trade through New Orleans Southern boundary of 31st parallel
Popular Political Culture Party conflict created a deep sense of suspicion and hinted at a lost sense of common purpose and unity of the revolutionary era Newspapers transformed the political culture of the US Partisan papers conflated opinion with fact Political clubs also appeared Government s response to Whiskey Rebellion was also politicized Farmers in western PA protested a tax on whiskey Washington and Federalists felt rebellion was a political challenge Both parties felt the other was trying to undermine order Washington issues warnings in his 1796 farewell address Warned against political parties, alliances with other nations
John Adams Presidency John Adams came to office amid deepening partisanship, worked with former members of Washington s cabinet, and a Republican vice president Foreign affairs challenges: XYZ Affair Adams sent representatives to France to negotiate for peace, compensation for seized ships French agents demanded a bribe before meetings Diplomatic embarrassment worsened Federalist-Republican relations Federalists used army and Alien and Sedition Acts to suppress dissent Courts, president now had power to silence political dissent Response: Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions Asserted states right to interpret constitutionality of federal law
John Adams Presidency, continued John Adams came to office amid deepening partisanship, worked with former members of Washington s cabinet, and a Republican vice president Adams struck a deal with France avoiding war Fired Washington s secretaries Negotiated removal of French restrictions on US commerce Thomas Jefferson won election of 1800 However, Adams made many judicial appointments Was the 1800 election revolutionary? Why or why not?