the birth of political parties 1788-1800 washington 1789-1797 created a strong, independent...
TRANSCRIPT
The Birth of PoliticalParties
1788-1800
Washington 1789-1797• created a strong,
independent presidency
• rejected the argument for states’ rights
• Wanted a strong, national government
• Resisted any attempts to restrict his presidential powers
• By his second term most Americans saw Washington as a Federalist; no longer “above party lines”
Apothesis of Washington
Conflicting Visions: Alexander Hamilton• Secretary of the
Treasury• Believed strong
central government preserves national independence
• Envisioned U.S. as an industrial power
• Feared the common people; he was an elitist
Conflicting Visions: ThomasJefferson • Secretary of
State under Washington
• Believed limited government preserves liberty
• Envisioned U.S. as an agrarian(farming) nation
• Trusted the common people
Political Parties DevelopFederalists(Hamilton)• Pessimistic view of
human nature• Wanted a rich, well-
born aristocracy to rule based on birth, wealth, and status
• Strong national government
• Loose interpretation of the Constitution
• Industrial, urban centered economy
• Government gives aid to business
• Pro-British
Republicans (Jefferson)
• Optimistic view of human nature
• A natural aristocracy based on talent and virtue
• Local, states’ rights; limited central government
• Strict interpretation of the Constitution
• Farming, rural centered economy
• Government neither aids or regulates business; laissez-faire
• Pro-French
The Peril of Neutrality• Franco-British War breaks out 1793• England violates American sovereignty,
neutrality on high seas• Jefferson: punish England by cutting
off trade• Hamilton: appease England because
too strong• French diplomat Edmond Genet challenges
American neutrality repeatedly in public• Washington will not give in to Genet
Jay’s Treaty
• Problems: British still in American west; seized slaves at end of Revolutionary War; capture of American vessels in French West Indies because would not recognize U.S. neutrality; bad commercial relations
• Treaty: British leave Western forts; allow SMALL ships to trade in British West Indies; Refused to pay for ships taken, recognize neutrality and did not address slaves
• Washington did not like treaty; barely passed the Senate
• Public says we sold out!
Domestic Unrest: The Whiskey Rebellion
• 1791-excise* tax passed on grain/distilled whiskey
• 1794- western Pennsylvanians loosing money because of tax and protest paying it
• Governor refuses to suppress men
• Washington accompanies 15,000 troops
• Arrive to find no rebels• Washington blamed
Republican political clubs for inciting disorder
• Republicans said it was just an excuse for Hamilton to create a large army to scare the Republicans; the average man
*Excise-internal tax on goods manufactured, sold, or consumed within a country
Washington’s Farewell
• Washington not limited to two terms
• 1796- announces intention to retire
• Warns against political parties
• Stay Neutral!!!
Alien and Sedition Acts• Federalists developed a large army in
case of war with France after XYZ affair – can’t believe Republicans still support France
• Provisional army led by Washington and Hamilton- only loyal Federalists received commissions
• Main point: not to crush the French but rather the Republicans through intimidation
• Adams was bullied into approving the army; he established the navy in 1798
• Federalists turn next to Congress
Alien and Sedition Acts, Cont.• Alien Law- president could expel any foreigner
simply by decree (power for 2 years)
• Adams never used this, but did cause many Frenchmen to flee
• Naturalization Law- 14 year probationary period before could apply for full citizenship
• Many immigrants (French and Irish) were Republicans – prevent them from voting
• Sedition Law- could not criticize the U.S. government; attempt to shut down the Republican press
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions• Republicans see Alien and Sedition
Acts as dire threat to liberty
• Jefferson’s Kentucky Resolutions--states may nullify unconstitutional federal law
• Madison's Virginia Resolutions--urge states to protect their citizens
• Purpose of resolutions: clarify differences between Republicans and Federalists
Adams Breaks Away• 1799- After the French
apologize for the XYZ “misunderstanding,” Adams sends men to negotiate with France
• Declare treaties of 1778 null and void and removed all French restrictions on trade.
• This change, while it infuriated Hamilton and other Federalists, it paved the way for the future Louisiana Purchase.