The Early Republic Presidents

Our “Founding Fathers” take the Constitution for a real life test drive!

Precedents (examples) for others to follow

Question:• What important

precedents (examples) did he set? Why were they so important?

• Chose the first cabinet (Adams-VP, Jefferson-Secretary of State, Hamilton-Treasury, and Knox-War) important leaders who were capable and intelligent to help carry out laws and lead.

• Served only two terms – limited power of the president (no king)

Washington knew how important his actions would be: “There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent”(Prentice Hall page 278).

George Washington as President (same question)

• Precedents continued:

• Stopped Whiskey Rebellion – Washington led troops to stop it. – Importance: Showed

the new government’s power and mercy.Pennsylvania farmers protesting

the Whiskey Tax. Washington led troops to stop it.

He pardoned (forgave) the leaders.This showed the new government’s

power and mercy. It is strong enough but it can be trusted!

What did Washington do as president?

a. Increased powerb. Served for four termsc. Set important precedentsd. All of the abovee. None of the above

Why was the Whiskey Rebellion important?

a. It showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation.

b. It showed the power and mercy of the new government.

c. Washington punished the protesters and became very powerful.

d. The protest spread and led to the Civil War.

George Washington as President• Precedent’s continued:

• Neutral in Foreign policy:

• Washington announced the Neutrality Proclamation to stay out of the war between France and Britain.

• Jay’s Treaty kept the US out of war (allowed the US to grow)

French Revolution led to a fight between France and Britain. Washington announced the Neutrality Proclamation to stay out of the fight. Britain began to seize American ships, he sent John Jay (Chief Justice) to negotiate a treaty (to keep peace ). Jefferson (Secretary of State) was mad – he formed his own political party.

George Washington as PresidentQuestion:• What were the

important accomplishments of his administration?

Answer:

Judiciary Act •Set up a five justice Supreme Court. •Established a system of courts for the nation

The pyramid like system continues today. The Supreme Court is called the “court of last resort” because its decisions are final.

Trial Courts

Appeals Courts

Court of Last Resort

STOP

• List five accomplishments of Washington’s Administration on your right page.

How did Washington handle the French Revolution?

• He sided with France.• He sided with Britain• He issued the Neutrality

Proclamation.• He agreed to the Treaty of Paris

What did Washington do as president?

A. Passed the Judiciary ActB. Served two termsC. Stayed neutralD. All of the aboveE. None of the above

Hamilton and his plan

The Secretary of the Treasury had a plan to build the economy. However, southern conservatives thought it was unfair. It was too much government power. Many Southern states had repaid debt. Meaning they were paying for the Northern states’ debt. Also, the plan rewarded people who had bought up old bonds (speculators). Finally the tariff helped Northern factories and hurt southern farmers. This led to sectionalism and political parties!

1. Pay off all federal and state debt

2. National Bank for bonds and money

3. Taxes (a tariff – tax on imports)

Analyze the diagrams: Can you explain how the tariff works?

Question: What did Hamilton’s plan lead to?Answer: America begins to be pulled apart again1. Sectionalism – People see themselves as

“Northerners” or “Southerners” because of the different economies, politics, and ways of life.

2. Political Parties formed because of growing Federal government power and foreign policy (who to support France or Britain?).

3. Nation’s Capital moved to the South – another attempt at a compromise!

STOP – use the last three slides to explain why the plan is controversial on your right page!

The First Political Parties

Political Parties formed (Jefferson and the conservative Democratic Republicans vs. Hamilton and the liberal Federalists) because of:•Hamilton’s Plan – Federalists for it Democratic-Republicans against•Foreign Policy – Federalists supported the British and the D-R’s supported the French.

What was Hamilton’s Plan?

A. Create political parties and a national bankB. Pay off all debt, national bank, and a

protective tariff.C. Stay neutral, a national bank, and a Whiskey

TaxD. Allow states to pay off debts and create state

banks

What were the first two political parties?

A. Federalists and Democratic-Republicans

B. Federalists and AntifederalistsC. Democrats and RepublicansD. Americans and Patriots

STOP

• ANSWER THE WASHINGTON ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS!

• THEN SHOW ME

John Adams – Difficult times

• Election of 1796– Adams (Federalist) won

and Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) finished second

– By rule Jefferson became the Vice President

– The political enemies could not work together!

XYZ Affair leads to a party split!• XYZ Affair with France:

– France began seizing ships because of Jay’s Treaty

– The French demanded money (a bribe) to stop

– Hamilton wanted war with France to destroy Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans (make them look like traitors)!

– Adams avoided war by building frigates (big gun ships) but upset Hamilton this led to a split in the Federalist party split

Laws passed to keep power!

• Alien and Sedition Acts:– Laws passed so the

Federalists can keep power)

– Aliens could only vote after many years in the Nation

– Sedition (talking against the government) could lead to jail time!

The Conservative Fight Back!

• Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions: – Madison and Jefferson

argued that states could nullify (ignore) national government laws!

– This was a key argument for states’ rights and helped lead to the Civil War!

STOP

• ANSWER THE RIGHT PAGE QUESTIONS:• Why did he have a difficult presidency?• Why will the resolutions lead to problems in

the future?

Why did political parties form?

A. Because of the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions and the Alien and Sedition Acts

B. Differences over Hamilton’s Plan and foreign policy

C. Washington started the Federalists and Jefferson responded by forming his party

D. Hamilton was unhappy with Jefferson’s economic plan

Why were the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions important?

A. It set a precedent for judicial review which increased the power of the president

B. They argued for states to nullify laws and states’ rights leading to the Civil War

C. They increased the power of the national government

D. They made Jefferson angry and led to political parties

What caused the problems Adams had with France?

A. France invaded the US.B. France seized US ships and demanded money

to stop.C. Napoleon tried to sell Louisiana to the US for

too much money.D. All of the aboveE. None of the above

What happened to the Federalist Party during Adams’ administration?

A. It took total control of the government.B. It was destroyed.C. The party supported states’ rights.D. It split into two groups over the XYZ affair.

How did Adams solve the problems with France?

A. He created an alliance with BritainB. He built frigates to protect U.S.

shippingC. He called for an invasion of CanadaD. He sent people to negotiate with the

French

What were the Alien and Sedition Acts?

A. Laws passed by the Federalists to keep power

B. Laws passed by the Democratic Republicans to control the government

C. Acts that gave immigrants a path to citizenship

D. Acts that ended Hamilton’s Plan

How did Jefferson handle the problems in foreign policy

A. He issued the Neutrality Proclamation.B. He convinced Congress to pass the

Embargo and Non-intercourse Acts.C. He sent John Jay to negotiate a treaty.D. He offered to trade with the first nation

that would respect U.S. neutrality.

1. Jefferson and his goalsJefferson’s Goals:•Democratize America by making the country bigger so that more people can own land (So they can vote and be involved in government).•Make the government smaller, weaker, and keep it out of the economy

– Laissez faire and free market economy, no tariff, and make the government smaller.

Reconcile (get over) party differences by keeping some Federalist ideas (national bank and pay debts).

What hurt Jefferson’ Plans?

• Marbury v Madison –precedent (example) for Judicial Review.

Courts would have the power to overrule any law or action (including Congress, the president, and even the states!)

National government power grows (win for the Federalists and liberals)!

John Marshall - Chief Justice of the Supreme Court –served for over thirty years was a Federalist who supported power of national government.

Achieving one goal at a cost!2. The Louisiana Purchase

US bought the land from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains

o Doubled size of the US, opened land up for more farmers (Jefferson’s goals farmers will be landowners = voters!)

oCaused arguments over slavery, immigration, Indian problems, and transportation inventions, and expanded presidential power.

Lewis and Clark

Chose Lewis and Clark to explore the land:o They went to the

Pacific Ocean with the help of Sacagawea and other Native Americans.

o Mapped the territory and opened land for Americans to settle.

What were Jefferson’s goals?

A. To reconcile differences with the Federalists

B. To reduce the size of the government and keep it out of the economy

C. To democratize the governmentD. All of the aboveE. None of the above

How did Jefferson attempt to achieve his goals?

A. Keeping the tariff and the National Bank

B. Getting more land so there would be more voters

C. With Marbury v. MadisonD. All of the aboveE. None of the above

What hurt Jefferson’s ability to achieve his goals?

A. The Louisiana Purchase made the country larger making room for more voters

B. Lewis and Clark opened land for settlersC. The case of Marbury v. Madison

increased government power.D. The National Bank went out of business

creating inflation and depression

Why was the Louisiana Purchase important?

A. It doubled the size of the United States

B. It opened land for slaveryC. It increased the power of the

presidentD. All of the aboveE. None of the above

Foreign Policy Problems3. Embargo Act to stay neutral

European nations did not respect American neutrality:oBoth Britain and

France began to seize American trading ships again!

oBritish began impressment of American sailors (force sailors to work on their ships – almost like kidnapping).

The EmbargoJefferson wanted to stay neutral, he convinced Congress to pass the Embargo Act oNobody in America could trade with any foreign countries. oHurt the American economy. Millions of dollars were lost oMade Northerners very upset – leading to more sectionalism!

Congress passed the Non Intercourse Act allowing trade with countries other than France and Britain. It led to ship seizing and impressment again!

What problems did Jefferson encounter in foreign policy?

A. Britain and France worked together to blockade the U.S.

B. The British invaded from CanadaC. The French sold Louisiana to Jefferson for

15 million dollarsD. Both the British and French seized

American ships.

How did Jefferson handle the problems in foreign policy

A. He issued the Neutrality Proclamation.B. He convinced Congress to pass the

Embargo and Non-intercourse Acts.C. He sent John Jay to negotiate a treaty.D. He offered to trade with the first nation

that would respect U.S. neutrality.

What was the result of the Embargo Act?

A. Sectionalism increasedB. The Federal government power

decreasedC. Millions of dollars were madeD. All of the aboveE. None of the above

James Madison

Faced many problems:•Native Americans, pressured for war, ship seizing and impressment, and sectionalism.

Problems with Natives: Different culture meant different

beliefs about land

Indians had helped the British during the Revolution

This led to the Battle of Tippecanoe – Americans (led by William Henry Harrison) defeated the natives.

British supplied Indians and told them to attack Americans

Tecumseh formed a confederation of natives to save lands

Pressure for War from the War Hawks

Young Democratic Republicans who wanted war against Britain because:

o They were anti-British, impressment, Jay’s Treaty and ship seizing, British helped the Natives, wanted to take over Canada and Florida, and, NATIONALISM!

Trade and the war between Britain and France

• Americans wanted to trade with all nations

• Ship seizing and British impressment continued

War of 1812

Madison offered to trade with the first nation that respected American neutrality. France quickly agreed.

America and France became allies and the British started to blockade US ports.

Fighting broke out at sea and Madison asked Congress to declare war.

War of 1812 (continued) The war lasted 2 years and

nothing was solved. Washington D.C. was burned

and Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner (our National Anthem) based on the events at Fort McHenry.

In the end the Treaty of Ghent set things back to the way that they were before the war.