Politics as Usual Part 1: Unity vs. Opposition
Monday, February 27 th COMING SOON: Essay #2 due at the START of labs on March 15 th or 16 th Remember to submit paper via blackboards Turn-It- In function before labs and hard copy at the start of labs. Failure to do both will result in a late penalty or not accepted at all. Don t forget to come into the American Heritage Review Room (173 A SWKT) for help on papers and concepts
The Birth of Political Parties Federalists vs Democratic Republicans Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson
Federalists vs Democratic Republicans Strong central government Broad interpretation of Constitution ( implied powers ) Pro-Market (Hamilton s economic plan) Pro-Britain John Adams Alexander Hamilton That government is best that governs least Strict interpretation of Constitution Pro-Agrarianism (Jefferson) Pro-France Thomas Jefferson James Madison
Hamilton vs Jefferson: Broad vs Strict Construction Every power vested in a government is in its nature sovereign and includes by force of the term a right to employ all the means requisite and fairly applicable to the attainment of the ends of such power. Government measures must be necessary not just convenient
Hamilton s America
Jefferson s America
Sources of Party Bitterness Jay s Treaty with Britain Alien and Sedition Acts Partisan newspapers
Jay s treaty, 1795 Britain agreed to withdraw from forts in US territory, but exacted humiliating economic and trade concessions. Graffiti appearing on wall near Jay s house: Damn John Jay. Damn everyone that won t damn John Jay. Damn everyone that won t put up lights in the windows and sit up all night damning John Jay.
Alien and Sedition Acts, 1798 Naturalization Act Extended time for full citizenship from 5 to 14 years Alien Act Gave president power to deport, without trial, foreign-born citizens considered a threat to the country Alien Enemies Act Gave president power to label as enemy aliens any resident of a nation with whom US was at war Sedition Act Made punishable any false, scandalous or malicious writing or speech against US or Congress
Campaign Song: Jefferson and Liberty The gloomy night before us flies The reign of terror now is o er No gags, inquisitors and spies The herds of harpies are no more
Experience should teach us to be most on our guard when the government s purposes are beneficent. Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil-minded rulers. But the greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning, but without understanding. --Louis Brandeis, Olmstead v. U.S., 1928
Partisan Newspapers
Unity vs Loyal Opposition However [parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of Government; destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion. George Washington
From Deference to Democracy
The Great Chain of Being
iclicker quiz: Who said GOD ALMIGHTY in His most holy and wise providence, hath so disposed of the condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity; others mean and in submission? A) John Locke B) David Hume C) John Winthrop D) John Calvin
The Growth of Democracy Pre-1800 elites monopolized all political offices, voter participation was low despite widespread franchise From 1800 to 1816 voter participation rose from 15-40% to 68-98%; party competition intensified Rise of democratic ideology led to removal of all property requirements for voting
Characteristics of New Politics Growth of national party organization More media involvement Newspapers as party organs Slogans, banners, parades Celebration of the common man Shift away from politics of deference, obligation Wider participation: voter turnout doubled from 1824 to 1828 Emphasis on party loyalty
George Caleb Bingham, Verdict of the People, 1855
Martin Van Buren vs William Henry Harrison, 1840 Van Buren Harrison
Martin Van Buren: The Aristocrat
William Henry Harrison: The Common Man
The Candidate as Common Man This year s common man costume: The plaid shirt