Chapter 6- A Strong Start for the New Nation
Guided Reading Questions
1. Describe George Washington as the new President.
Very popular; reluctant to accept office; doubted his abilities; feared some would think he wanted to be king. Knew each step would set a precedent.
2. How did the Anti-Federalists view Washington?
They didn’t fear the powers given to the president in the new Constitution so long as Washington was president.
3. Describe important pieces our government added under the helm of Washington and the 1st Congress.
A. Bill of Rights- of 210 amendments proposed, 12 recommended and 10 adopted in 1791. Listed individual freedoms and the powers of the states.
B. Federal Court System- Judiciary Act of 1789, which established a federal district court for each state. Specified 6 justices of the Supreme Court to be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Act also defined the court’s powers.
C. These new departments were established to help the president. Describe each and tell who the first leaders were of each.
1. State Department- handled foreign affairs, led by Jefferson
2. War Department-handle military affairs; Henry Knox
3. Treasury Department-oversee the nation’s finances; Alexander Hamilton
D. Together these departments became known as what? The cabinet
E. George Washington also appointed an Attorney General to advise him on legal matters. Who did he appoint? Edmund Randolph
F. Of the departments above, which was considered the most important and held the most power? Why? Treasury, because it had to restore the nation’s credit and pay off debts.
4. Describe the financial issues facing our new country. Focus on Hamilton’s suggestions to fix our financial woes. Hamilton wanted to establish economic policies that would help business and industry. He advised Congress to begin paying off the national debt. A nation that did not pay its debts would have trouble borrowing money. The nation’s debt was $77 million. Most of the money had come from selling bonds, but since the government’s credit had fallen so low, the bonds were almost worthless. Many bondholders had panicked and sold to speculators. Hamilton’s proposal to pay the bonds in full caused an uproar that speculators would make a fortune.
Next, he proposed to take over state debt (assumption) of $21.5 million. The southern states complained that they had already paid most of their debts and saw no reason to help the other states. A last minute compromise saved the plan- in return for southern votes, Hamilton’s supporters pledged that the nation’s capital would be located across the Potomac river from Va. Temporary capital moved to Philadelphia for 10 years (1790-1800).
5. Briefly describe the First U.S. Bank and how it was finally adopted.
The bank was a central bank with branches in major US cities. It was believed that such a bank would provide a safe place to deposit gov’t funds and a sound uniform currency issued in the form of bank notes or paper money. The bank could also make loans for the gov’t. The south feared the bank would be controlled by wealthy, northern merchants. Washington sided with Hamilton and Congress chartered the bank in 1791 for 20 years. It was jointly owned by the gov’t and private investors.
6. The fight over having a national bank was between strict constructionists and loose constructionists. Explain the difference in opinion between these two groups and who supported each. Jefferson led the strict constructionists who said no where in the Constitution had the federal gov’t been given the power to set up a bank. Strict constructionists believed the gov’t could only do what the Constitution specifically allowed. Hamilton led the loose constructionists who believed that within broad limits the gov’t can do anything the Constitution does not specifically forbid. He pointed to the “necessary and proper” clause for carrying out its constitutional powers. The government’s power to collect taxes and borrow money could only be properly exercised, he argued, with the aid of a national bank.
7. Describe the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 and it’s results. Hamilton asked Congress to impose a tax on certain domestically produced items, such as whiskey, to be paid by whiskey producers. It passed in 1791. The tax hit western farmers the hardest. Whiskey was easy to transport east where it was used to barter for goods. Protestors in western Pa. Attacked federal officials, tarring and feathering some. The group intended to march to Phila. Pres. Washington called out the state militia to put down the rebellion. He assembled some 13,000 men. When faced with the threat of force, the Whiskey boys quickly left.
8. Describe the conflict on the frontier between the Native Americans and the Americans. How did President Washington respond? American settlers entered territory owned by Native Americans. The Americans were attacked by Little Turtle along the Wabash River. Washington sent 3000 soldiers under Anthony Wayne to protect the frontier.
9. What role did the British play in the frontier wars? The British gave supplies to the Native Americans.
10. What was the result of the Battle of Fallen Timbers? The Indian Confederation was defeated and it dealt a severe blow to Indian resistance in the territories. The Native Americans entered into an agreement with the US with the Treaty of Greenville which gave the US title to Native American lands making up much of present day Ohio and Indiana. In exchange the Indians received $20,000 worth of goods and formal acknowledgement of their claim to lands they still held.
Section 2- Dealing With a Dangerous World
1. What impact did the French Revolution have on events in the United States? Mixed reaction; some supported the French for following the example of the United States. Many disagreed when the rebellion turned into a bloodbath and there were many beheadings of French leaders including the King and Queen.
2. How did tensions between the old enemies France and England impact Americans? American trade was disrupted; neutrality was ignored and American vessels were seized and sailors impressed.
3. Who was “Citizen Genet”? French diplomat who tried to get Americans to honor their 1778 military alliance with France. Genet tried to convert the US into a base of operations from which to conquer Louisiana, Fla., and Canada and to equip privateers to prey upon British shipping. Washington demanded that France recall Genet.
4. What proclamation did President Washington issue? The neutrality proclamation of 1793.
5. What was Jay’s Treaty about? Results? The British still occupied forts in the NW territory and had been supplying the Native Americans with supplies. This violated the Treaty of Paris. Chief Justice John Jay sent to London to negotiate. The US had to persuade the British that they would remain neutral. Jay was forced to renounce the freedom of the seas, which allowed neutrals to trade freely with belligerents. In exchange, the British gov’t promised to surrender the NW posts. The treaty was opposed by many in the US, especially by the Republicans. But it was the best treaty that could be had at the time. Americans couldn’t afford a war with Britain.
6. And Pinckney’s Treaty? Results? Spain joined France against Britain. Spain feared that a US alliance with Britain would threaten Spanish territory in America. Spain moved to settle its disputes with the US. The treaty recognized the southern boundary of the US with Spanish Florida. Also guaranteed navigation rights to the Mississippi and the right of deposit in New Orleans.
7. What informal “precedent” was set by Washington at the end of his second term? He announced he would not seek a third term.
8. What was Washington’s advice for the country with regard to politics? He warned of the dangers of political groups and regional interests. Also warned against long-term alliances.
9. Federal power versus states rights, our relationships with France and Britain and “sectionalism” all contributed to growing political divisions in early America.
Define sectionalism. Loyalty to a particular part of the country.
10. Describe the Federalist Party and include the names of the early leaders. What part of the country was it the strongest? Led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. Included merchants, manufacturers, lawyers, church leaders from NE and the Atlantic seaboard. Usually rich and wellborn and strongest in the cities. Wanted to promote the development of commerce and industry. Favored a strong central government and a strong executive. Supported the British.
11. Describe the Democratic-Republicans (former Anti-Feds) and include names of its early leaders. What part of the country was it the strongest? Led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Included planters, small farmers, wage earners, artisans, workers and trades people. Strong in the South and the frontier and the Midwest. Main goal was to protect states’ rights and individual liberties by limiting the power of the federal government. Supported the French.
12. Who were the candidates and what was the end result of the election of 1796? Federalists John Adams and Thomas Pinckney faced off against Republicans Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Adams received the most votes and became president; Jefferson became vice-president.
13. President John Adams had some serious problems to deal with as the new president. Give a brief explanation of each.
A. “XYZ Affair”- Adams sent diplomats to France to negotiate a new treaty. France sent 3 agents to present France’s demands. France wanted the US to apologize for anti-French remarks, give France a loan, and pay a bribe of $250,000. Adams published the demands with XYZ in place of the names of the 3 agents. Americans reacted with “millions for defense, not one cent for bribery” and began to build a navy, fortify harbors and strengthen the army. Many calling for war with France.
B. Alien and Sedition Acts- passed in 1798 intended to protect the nation and weaken the Republicans. The Alien Act allowed the president to imprison or expel any foreigners as he shall judge dangerous to the peace and safety of the US. The Sedition Act targeted US citizens. Anyone who wrote, said, or printed anything “false, scandalous, and malicious” about the government, the Congress, or the President, “with intent to defame” could be fined and jailed. Mainly aimed at the Republicans who were waging war with the Federalists in the newspaper.
C. Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions- denounced the Alien and Sedition Acts as unconstitutional. They went beyond the power of the federal government and interfered with the power of state governments. Jefferson wrote the Kentucky Resolution and Madison wrote the Virginia Resolution. Resolutions important in their support of the right of state governments to challenge the federal government.