The Federalist Period
Washington as President Washington set several precedents for future presidents 2 terms & the first cabinet Jefferson, Hamilton, Knox, & Randolph fledgling govt faced several domestic challenges Indian threat / angry citizens / western settlement Treaty of Greenville signed after Battle of Fallen Timbers treaty opened Ohio region to American settlement (M) farmers started Whiskey Rebellion in W. Pennsylvania angry at a new excise tax on whiskey National troops sent to prove the supremacy of the Federal Government Public Land Act of 1796 modeled after Northwest Ordinance clear procedures for settlement, sale, & distribution of fed lands
Hamilton as Sec of Treasury Alexander Hamilton set out to repair financial problems goals to pay debt, stabilize currency, & create federal banking system Report on Public Credit policy favoring rich would stimulate growth Report on Manufactures promoted industrialization & tariffs Hamilton s plan had 5 main components I. boost national credit II. father-son relationship with states III. strong protective tariffs IV. excise taxes on whiskey V. National Bank
Fiscal Issues Hamilton argued for funding at par federal govt should pay all debts at face value angered Americans that had already sold bonds to speculators at low price Hamilton also wanted federal govt to assume all state debts thrilled northern states with huge war debts, but angered South appeased southerners by selecting site on Potomac as new capital Revenue Act of 1789 set an 8% tariff lower rate forced Hamilton to impose excise taxes
The Bank of the United States National Bank was most contested part of Hamilton s plan federal govt would the major interest along with private stockholders national treasury to hold deposits in BUS keep funds safe & available for loans Jefferson opposed Bank b/c of strict constructionist beliefs but loose constructionists said elastic clause gave Congress implied powers to pass laws that are necessary & proper Washington sided with Hamilton and created the BUS in 1791 issue increased tension between Hamilton and Jefferson
Washington chooses Neutrality the French Revolution (1789) became world war involving Britain decision of loyalty challenged America s sovereignty TJ supported France, but Hamilton called for neutrality (trade w/ Britain) behavior of French Jacobins decreased U.S. public support for Revolution Washington issued Neutrality Proclamation of 1793
Washington develops Foreign Policy France & Britain began seizing US ships & impressing US sailors violations of Neutrality Proclamation Chief Justice John Jay sent to Britain in 1794 Jay s Treaty removed western forts but didn t settle ship violation issues Spain now feared possibly cozy American-British relationship U.S. & Spain signed Pinckney s Treaty rights to Mississippi River / New Orleans Pinckney s Treaty was a.k.a. the Treaty of San Lorenzo
Washington says Goodbye Washington delivered his Farewell Address upon leaving office 1. warned against forming political parties 2. warned against entangling alliances remain neutral towards Europe former vice president John Adams became 2 nd president in 1797
Republican Motherhood women s roles in society were reevaluated during 1790s reevaluated to fit the new republic and its ideals (Abigail Adams) women were expected to teach & produce virtuous male citizens important civil role and responsibility but still excluded from politics inspired men to be good citizens through romance and motherhood new role inspired leading advocates for female edu to speak out argued that educated women would be better mothers but a women s edu was meant only to serve husbands and family despite new importance of women, traditional gender roles changed little
John Adams Presidency Adams became president with Jefferson (2 nd ) as V.P. foreign affairs and domestic troubles continued to surface delegation sent to Paris in 1797 to settle seizure issue but 3 French officials demanded bribe just to listen the XYZ Affair Federalists called for swift military action war fever spread a quasi war (undeclared naval war) raged from 1798 to 1800 Adams wanted to avoid total war so he organized convention of 1800 U.S. envoy met with French ended alliance & U.S. to pay for damages Feds used XYZ anger to gain control & pass Alien & Sedition Acts laws to silence the opposition by restricting free speech compact theory inspired TJ to draft VA & KY Resolutions nullification