Lecture 6 THE EARLY YEARS OF THE REPUBLIC

THE FEDERALIST PERIOD 1788-1800 Presidency of Washington and Adams The Federalist Founding Fathers arguing for the ratification of the Constitution James Madison Alexander Hamilton John Jay THE FEDERALIST PARTY Opponents: Anti Federalists Federalists: Washington, Hamilton Main beliefs: strong central government Supports the British in war against France Pro-industry, commerce Relies on urban population ANTI-FEDERALISTS Thomas Jefferson Limited government Supports France Relies on rural population Supports agriculture Personal opposition: Jefferson-Hamilton ALEXANDER HAMILTON Leading figure of the era Born in Martinique, Scottish father, native mother Immigrates to U.S. Washingtons assistant, represents N.Y. in Constitutional Convention Belief: people are selfish, government has to prevent them from fully realizing their ambitions Secretary of Finance of Washingtons government MAIN ISSUES IN THE FEDERALIST PERIOD Establishment of the authority of the national government Establishment of a viable foreign policy Protection of civil liberties HAMILTONS ECONOMIC PROGRAM Debate with Jefferson over the interpretation of the Constitution Bank of U.S. was established in 1791 Protective tariff, to protect domestic industry, Financing the government bonds at face value Uniform national currency, the dollar Excise tax on alcohol, whiskey POLITICAL AUTHORITY 1794: Whiskey Rebellion George Washington puts it down First time, presidential power as commander in chief is used FOREIGN POLICY Main issue: 1793: French revolution turns radical, execution of royal couple England declares war U.S. policy neutrality, but actions are pro-British ANTI-FRENCH POLICIES 1793: Citizen Genet Edmond Genet French emissary is sent home for violating neutrality 1794: John Jays Treaty: fails to convince British to allow Americans to trade with West Indies

1795 Thomas Pinckneys Treaty with Spain right of free navigation of the Mississippi right of deposit, the use of the Mississippi Delta 1797: XYZ affair Shooting war with France American delegation is blackmailed by three French diplomats led by Talleyrand , Anti-French hysteria CIVIL LIBERTIES Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 First limitation of the Bill of Rights, Freedom of speech, press, Four Acts: three reflecting nativism to French and Irish in America Alien Act: dangerous aliens can be expelled by President Sedition Act: criticism of the government, either in a written or spoken form is illegal ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE FEDERALIST PERIOD Two-Party System Federalist Party Anti-Federalist Party (Democratic-Republicans) Bill of Rights 1791 Civil liberties Freedom of speech, press, religion Protection of the individual in the legal machinery No cruel and unusual punishment EVALUATION OF THE FEDERAIST PERIOD Success: Hamilton, Pinckney, Establishment of two-party system Failure: Relationship with Britain is not settled Civil liberties are violated REPUBLICAN PERIOD 1800-1815 Jeffersons domestic policy Republican simplicity Government should be like a prudent farmer Promotion of agriculture Cutting the size of the army Source of governments income: sale of western lands JEFFERSONS FOREIGN POLICY Louisiana Purchase 1803 Doubling the size of the U.S. Napoleon sells the Territory to America for 15 million dollars Lewis and Clark exhibition reaching the Pacific Greatest success for Jefferson Other issues, the defeat of the Barbary Pirates 1805 Greatest failure Keeping American out of the French-British conflict Orders of Council 1806, 1807,British naval blockade French continental blockade 1807 Chesapeake Affair American response: Embargo Act all foreign commerce stopped 1809 Non--intercourse Act American-British relations worsen, leading to War of 1812