THE FEDERALIST YEARSCHAPTER 8

1789-1801

FOLLOWING THE “BLUEPRINT”

EXECUTIVE BRANCHExecutive Cabinet

This is a group of department heads that advise the president

Washington developed 4 departments for his cabinet Department of State – Thomas JeffersonDepartment of War – Henry KnoxSecretary of Treasury – Alexander HamiltonAttorney General – Edmond Randolph

FOLLOWING THE “BLUEPRINT” JUDICIAL BRANCH

Judiciary Act of 1789 Organized the national court system Set the Supreme Court at 6 members

John Jay was appointed as First Chief Justice

FOLLOWING THE “BLUEPRINT” LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Congress began with some interesting topics to start the first session: Dealing with the national debt Setting their own salary: $6/day! Deciding what to call the President officially:

THE BILL OF RIGHTS What: A collection of amendments to

the New Constitution promised by James Madison that would protect individual rights.Description:

#1 – freedom of Conscience #2-4 – Security and Privacy #5-8 – Rights of the accused #9-10 – More restrictions on Federal Power

Why: James Madison promised to introduce them in exchange for support for ratification.

HAMILTON’S FINANCIAL PLANS

FUNDING AND ASSUMPTION Funding – The U.S. Government would

issue bonds with 6% interest to all that it owed money to for goods or military services.Monetizing debt – turning debt into money

Assumption – The U.S. Government took over all of the state debts.Most of the Southern states were paid off

while the N.E. states were not – unfair practice

The compromise – Hamilton promised to get northern support to make the nations permanent capitol city in the south along the Potomac River – Federal CityWashington chose the site that would

eventually bear his name.The city would be occupied in 10 yearsPhiladelphia would remain the temporary

capitol until them.

NATIONAL BANK National Bank would

Provide ONE national currencyLocal branches would provide good

business loans to spur the economyWould have a 20 year charter

Problem – Congress had not constitutional power to start a bankHamilton convinced Washington that his

interpretation of the Constitution was right and Washington signed it into law

Problem – Congress had not constitutional power to start a bankThis was the first rift in Washington’s

administration Views of the Constitution:

Loose Constructionist – those who advocate more flexibility in reading the Constitution. Interpretation based on today’s society views.

Strict Constructionist – those who hold to a closer reading of the Constitution. Interpretation based on the writer’s original intent.

FEDERALIST VS. DEMOCRATIC -REPUBLICANS

Hamilton vs. Jeff erson Federalist Party

Poverty to power Emotionally

reserved Intense focus More focus driven Loved order “Letter of the

Law”

Democratic-Republican Party

Inherited wealth Very emotional Had many

interests More individual

focus Loved liberty “Spirit of the

Law”It is said that the only thing these two men had in

common was their hatred for one another!

Strong national Government

Lose Constructionist National Bank Economy based on

Industry Supporters:

lawyers, merchants, manufacturers

“Hamiltonians”

Limited National Government

Strict Constructionist Opposed National

Bank Economy based on

farming Supporters: Farmers,

Trades people “Jeffersonians”

Foreign Feuds

French RevolutionEngland (ally) and France (ally) want to war

against each otherThe struggle: who do we support?

Republicans – pro-French Federalists – pro-England

Proclamation of Neutrality

FOREIGN FEUDS Citizen Genet – Edmond Charles Genet

A French ambassador that attempted to push America to support France by touring the country

Appealed directly to President Washington (failed)Attempted to raise and army and privateer navy

of Americans to fight Spain (England’s Ally)When the new French government came to arrest

him, Washington gave him asylum in exchange of his silence. Genet married an American, moved to New York and

took up farming for the rest of his life!

FOREIGN FEUDS

Jay’s TreatyEngland began raiding American ShippingChief Justice John Jay was sent to England to

Negotiate The Agreement:

Uphold the Treaty of Paris by evacuating all British troops from American soil (never really happened)

England offered to pay for shipping losses from over the past year.

War with England was averted

***The U.S. still had no Navy to back American ships***

SETTING ANOTHER PRECEDENT

Whiskey Rebellion – A new tax attempt on the production of liquor Many farmers did not like this – corn is a primary

ingredient in liquor Western Pennsylvania – about 500 farmers

attacked a liquor tax collector’s house John Neville was a friend of President Washington

The Precedent: the Federal Government had the power and will to enforce its own laws Washington personally led 13,000 soldiers into Western

PA to end the rebellion Arrested and then pardoned about 20 farmers Was a good reminder that the people had the power th

change government but needed to do it legally at the ballot box!

WASHINGTON’S FAREWELL

A legacy left behindA larger country geographically: 3 new

statesA stronger nationFinancial situation was stableThe Constitution was proven and found

practicalSet the Nation’s foreign policy until WWII