Unit 4: A New Nation Review

Washington’s Presidency

• First president, unanimously elected in 1789 • Judiciary Act of 1789 – created 13 federal district courts and 3

circuit courts (Supreme Court at the top).• He approved Hamilton’s Financial plan (national assumption of

debt) & Established a national bank. BUS – Bank of the United States & whiskey tax led to whiskey rebellion.

• Whiskey Rebellion – Washington’s quick end to the rebellion revealed the strength of the new constitution and young nation.

• Neutrality Proclamation (1793) – the United States would not get involved in foreign affairs.– Started an Isolationist tradition

Hamilton & Jefferson First Political Parties

• Birth of a 2 party system in the U.S. – Federalists (Hamilton)

• Support a strong national government.• Loose interpretation of the constitution – (national• government should do whatever is “necessary and proper” to carry

out its enumerated powers.• A strong financial system that favors banks and industry.• Supporting England when the war broke out.

– Democratic Republicans (Jefferson)• Support strong state governments• Strict interpretation of the constitution • State banks and policies that support small farmers • Supporting France when war broke out with England.

Adams’ Presidency (Foreign Affairs Issues)

• US reaction to French Revolution • Neutrality• Edmund Genet Affair• Pinckney Treaty

• • Jay’s Treaty• Election of 1796• XYZ Affair• Quasi-war• Alien & Sedition Acts

Election of 1800

• Despite both parties' attempts to destroy each other in the press, the real contest of this election was between Jefferson and Burr. When ballots were counted in February of 1801, Jefferson and Burr received 73 electoral votes, Adams received 65, and Pinckney received 64

• The first ever peaceful transition of power after bitterly contested popular elections fought by principled partisans occurred in America, in the “Revolution of 1800,” after elections that gave the Republican party led by Thomas Jefferson control over both the presidency and congress

Jefferson’s Presidency • Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, takes the oath of

office on March 4, 1801.• He supported state’s rights and believed that states could best protect

individual freedoms.• Marbury v. Madison establishes judicial review• Louisiana Purchase from France (doubled the size of the USA

• Thomas Jefferson asked Meriwether Lewis to lead an expedition to learn all he could about the new land.

The leaders of the expedition called their group the Corps of Discovery.

The group left from St. Louis and traveled up the Missouri River in 1804.

Madison’s Presidency Mr. Madison’s War (War of 1812)

• The fourth President of the US– Member of Jefferson’ Republican party

• War Hawks- Americans who were tired of being bullied and wanted war

• South and West were pro-war• New England was anti-war

• Star Spangled Banner: Fort Mchenry • “Second war for independence” • Treaty of Ghent – ended the war, yet not clear winner or

restrictions on trade• Battle of New Orleans – clear victory for USA• Ushered in the “Era of good feeling”