U.S. History

Putting the New Constitution into Effect

The New Nation—George Washington’s beliefs:

  • Strong federal government
  • Neutral foreign policy
  • Strict separation of the three branches of government
  • Ideas were similar to those of the Federalists
  • Was opposed to political parties; he believed they would divide the nation.
  • Established executive departments headed by cabinets

Precedent—Actions or decisions that become an accepted way of doing things (traditions).

  • The Cabinet
  • Political Parties
  • Suppressing Rebellion
  • Judicial Review
  • Executive and Congressional Interpretation
  • Lobbying

Hamilton—strong central government, loose interpretation of Constitution

Jefferson—weaker central government, strict interpretation of Constitution

Loose Constructionist—broad interpretation of the constitution

Strict Constructionist—strict interpretation of the constitution

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

Actions he proposed

  • The government would assume debts owed by the states and pay foreign debt.
  • The government would raise money through excise taxes on luxury items (liquor and jewelry).
  • The government would impose protective tariffs to encourage domestic industries.
  • The government would create a Bank of the U.S.

His Basic Goals

  • The plan would establisha good credit reputation for the new government.
  • It would provide a sound currency
  • Also it would strengthen the power of the federal government because the creditors would not want to see any government that owed them money collapse.

Building Unity — American System

  • To strengthen and bring unity in the American system, supporters believed three things were necessary: protective tariffs, improved transportation, and a national banking system.
  • Economic Plan
  • Absorb the Debt of the states, so it was a national debt
  • Tariffs—protect American Industry: The new business could not compete with European industries, “Buy American”
  • National Banks
  • Roads and Canals—improve transportation by building roads and canals

The Unwritten Constitution: Practices of the Government based on tradition & customs. Examples: the president’s cabinet, political parties, judicial review.

Actions of Political Parties

Political parties developed through custom and tradition. The debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists over ratification revealed the existence of differences of opinion on government. The formation of political parties led to constitutional changes in the method of electing the president.

Political party – people who share similar ideas about how the government. They formed to attain political goals such as:

  • Electing officials
  • Influencing the public
  • Conducting campaigns
  • Suggesting solutions to political issues
  • Keeping a check on the other groups in power

The Rise of Political Parties:

Federalists / Democratic-Republicans
  1. Led by Alexander Hamilton, John Adams
  2. Wealthy and well-educated should lead nation
  3. Believed in strong federal government
  4. Favored order and unity
  5. Favored economy based on manufacturing, shipping, and trade
  6. Favored loose interpretation of Constitution
  7. Were pro-British, but pro-neutrality
  8. Favored national bank
  9. Favored protective tariff
/
  1. Led by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison
  2. Believed people should hold the political power
  3. Believed in smaller government and strong state’s rights
  4. Favored individual rights
  5. Favored economy based on agriculture
  6. Favored strict interpretation of Constitution
  7. Pro-French, but pro-neutrality
  8. Opposed national bank
  9. Opposed protective tariff

Whiskey Rebellion:

  • An excise tax was placed on whiskey to help raise money for the national debt
  • Western Pennsylvania rebelled against the authority of the federal government. They closed courts and attacked tax collectors.
  • Washington and Hamilton saw this as an opportunity to demonstrate the power of the U.S. government.
  • An army of 12,000 men marched to Pennsylvania and stopped the rebellion
  • This had demonstrated to the American citizens and the world that the young American government was committed to enforcing its laws.

Washington’s Farewell Address: Defines the role of President & foreign policy
Defines Role of President / -Role of president
-Establishes a precedent of two terms in office as president
Domestic affairs within the US / -Preserve the union of the whole
-North, South and West should all be dependent on each other
-Unity leads to greater strength, resources and security
Political Parties / -Only create animosity and divide the country
The Cabinet / -A group that actively advises the president when making executive decisions
Foreign Relations / -Neutrality—we should NOT get involved in Europe’s affairs
-Steer clear of permanent alliances with foreign countries
-Need time to gain strength as a nation
Trade / -Trade with other nations for the benefit of the US.
-To make us stronger economically.

Marbury vs. Madison

  • President Jefferson tried to deny the appointments of Federalist judges that President Adams appointed right before he left office.
  • Under orders from President Jefferson, Secretary of State James Madison never delivered the papers.
  • Marbury sued Madison demanding that the Supreme Court order the Secretary of State to let him take his office.
  • Chief Justice John Marshall ruled against Marbury, declaring the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional—it was against the Constitution for the Supreme Court to give this order to the executive branch.
  • This was a victory for the Supreme Court forthe case established the power of Judicial Review.

Judicial Review—the Federal courts can review government laws and actions to see if they agree with the guidelines in the Constitution. If not, the laws or actions are said to be unconstitutional.

Lobbyist—trained experts who try to influence members of Congress. They represent businesses, economic groups, foreign nations, and other special interests. Many believe lobbyists give Congress important information while others believe the information lobbyists give is slanted.

Jay’s Treaty

  • According to the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War, Britain was supposed to remove troops from the western regions of the U.S. and stop forcing American sailors to join the British Navy—impressment.
  • The treaty was not very successful or popular.

XYZ Affair

  • The French were mad because of Jay’s treaty with the British and started seizing American ships in the harbor.
  • Trying to avoid war, Adams sent officials to Paris to negotiate with the government.
  • The French agents demanded a bribe of $250,000 and a loan to the French for $ 10 million before the Americans would even be allowed to see the French foreign minister
  • The Americans were outraged and returned home.
  • They were met with public cries of patriotism. The slogan, “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute (bribery)!” rang out in the U.S.
  • Unable to resolve their differences, by 1798, the French and the US were involved in an undeclared war.

Election of 1800—John Adams is afraid he will lose reelection to Thomas Jefferson, so he passes the Alien Sedition Acts.

Alien Sedition Acts

  • Deport people - new immigrants to US are becoming Democratic Republicans because they are commoners, so Adams will deport them.
  • Imprison people – anyone bad-mouthing or protesting the government will be imprisoned.

This was a clear violation of the 1st amendment: Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions—pass state resolutions to disobey the Federal Law! Feel that if something is unconstitutional they can nullify it.

Louisiana Purchase

  • US wanted to buy New Orleans from France, because farmers from the West relied on the Mississippi River to transport Crops and the French had control of the mouth of the Mississippi River and used it to get large sums of money from Americans
  • Napoleon needed money to fight England, so he sold the whole Louisiana Territory to the US for $15 million
  • Jefferson is a strict constructionist, who changes into a loose constructionist to purchase the Louisiana Purchase (implied powers, necessary and proper clause).

Freedom of the Seas—we can trade with anyone. No one can stop our ships.

Embargo Act

  • Britain was still at war and was seizing American ships and impressing or forcing American sailors to serve in the British Navy.
  • British ships attack the USS Chesapeake
  • Jefferson had Congress pass the Embargo Act, which outlawed almost all trade with foreign countries.
  • Jefferson does this to stay out of war with Great Britain
  • It hurt the economy and was extremely unpopular, especially with the New Englanders
  • Jefferson decided not to seek reelection because of this and James Madison was elected in 1808
  • The Act was repealed in 1809 by James Madison

The War of 1812

  • Tension with Britain mounted
  • The British had encouraged Native Americans to attack American settlers and interfered with U.S. shipping
  • The British were practicing impressment—stopping American ships at sea, removing the men, and forcing them to serve in the British Navy.
  • Some believe the motives for the war were not the above but for expansion of the United States (Canada)
  • The war Hawks (South & West) were prowar and the Doves (New Englanders) were anti war

The Monroe Doctrine

  • The U.S. will stay out of European affairs.
  • U. S. warns Europe to stay out of the Western Hemisphere, so they can avoid future conflicts with Europe.
  • Spain and other European countries might want to colonize areas in South America after recovering from several years of warfare and the U.S. didn’t want this.
  • The US views interference in the Americas as a danger to America and their interests
  • If Europe has a problem with the Western Hemisphere, see the US first “Big Brother.”
  • *This assumes a leadership role in the Western Hemisphere
  • We are also flexing our muscles