The Federalist Era – 1789 -1817. Washingtons Life Mask Washingtons Death Mask.

The Federalist Era – 1789 -1817

Washington’s “Life Mask”

Washington’s “Death Mask”

George Washington and his first cabinet. Washington's Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, and his Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, were in controversy over fiscal policy early in Washington's administration. L to R Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State; seated Henry Knox, Secretary of War; Edmund Randolph, Attorney General & Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury.

Alexander Hamilton

1755-1804

“A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a

national blessing.”Alexander Hamilton

Thomas Jefferson

1743-1826

• “Paper is poverty,... it is only the ghost of " money, and not money itself." --Thomas Jefferson to Edward Carrington, 1788. ME 7:36

• I. Hamiltonians vs. Jeffersonians

• A. Hamilton's views--Man is irrational, corrupt, and guided by base instincts.

– 1) Sovereignty must rest with a strong central government insensitive to the popular will

– 2) Government's function is maintain order in a potentially chaotic society. It needs to be remote and secure from the people's emotional uprisings.

• B. Jefferson's views--man is rational, capable of self-improvement.

– 1) Government exists to protect man's natural rights to life, liberty, and happiness.

– 2) The greatest threat to man's freedom is tyrannical government. It needs to be limited in its powers and completely responsive to the needs and desires of the people.

– 3) State governments should have greater power because they are less likely to be despotic.

• How did it end differently than Shay’s rebellion?– Part of Hamilton’s plan was a Tax on Whiskey.

– 2000 armed men rose up to protest the excise tax that was part of Hamilton’s plan.

– Washington and 13,000 troops responded.

II. Hamilton's Financial Plan

• A. Protective tariff to stimulate industry

• B. Willingness to assume debts of states

• C. Willingness to assume Confederation's debts

• D. Establishment of a national bank. Purposes: – 1) Repository of national assets – 2) Issue paper money based on assets – 3) Source of investment capital

• E. Whiskey Excise Tax--burden fell on western farmers – 1) Whiskey Rebellion (1794)--2000 armed men – 2) Washington leads militia to put down revolt

III. Jeffersonian Opposition to Hamilton's Plans

• A. Strict constructionist view--creation of U.S. Bank exceeded Congressional authority

• B. 10th Amendment forbids the national government exercising powers not delegated to it.

• C. Commercial and manufacturing interests favored over farming interests.

1789-1815

• And the Age of Napoleon

France

• The U.S. had a treaty with France. (1778)

• When the French revolution became radical, there was a debate over whether we should still support France.

• Washington declared American Neutrality.

The Proclamation of Neutrality 1793

A Proclamation• Whereas it appears that a state of war exists

between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the United Netherlands, of the one part, and France on the other; and the duty and interest of the United States require, that they should with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerant Powers;

G. Washington - April, 1793

• The impressment of American seamen.

Securing Our Borders

• The Jay Treaty– Settled claims with

British in the west

• Pinckney Treaty– Spain gave us

• lands in Florida• free navigation of

the Mississippi river.

Jay's Treaty

• The Treaty eliminated British control of western posts within two years, established America's claim for damages from British ship seizures, and provided America a limited right to trade in the West Indies.

Pinckney’s Treaty

• The U.S. was granted free navigation of the Mississippi River from Spain.

• Three year access to the port of New Orleans.

• U.S. and Spanish border set at 31st parallel.

Washington’s Farewell

• “In contemplating the causes which may disturb our union it occurs as matter of serious concern that any ground should have been furnished for characterizing parties by geographical discriminations--Northern and Southern, Atlantic and Western -- whence designing men may endeavor to excite a belief that there is real difference of local interests and views.”

“Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other.”

“The XYZ Affair”

• The XYZ Affair cartoon depicts the United States as a maiden being victimized by the French Directorate while Britain sits aloof on a hill and European leaders discuss America’s plight.

President Adams

• Sectionalism-

• Adams tried to avoid war in France. – He sent delegates to Meet with a French

official named Talleyrand.– Three French officials demanded a bribe

of $250,000 before they would talk. – Called the affair

As a result…

• What were they?

• Who created them?

• How were they used?

Alien Act and Sedition ActMadison & Jefferson

• Who wrote them?

• What did they say?

• AURORAAugust 22, 1797The newspaper that inspired the Sedition Act of 1798

• It is ironic that this issue advertises an elixir for yellow fever, as Bache will die from that cause in September 1798.

• On page two, Bache challenges John Fenno, editor of the Gazette of the United States, a Federalist paper, to reply to questions whether President Adams, through his Secretary of State Timothy Pickering, was in collusion with the British Minister Liston, in plotting an invasion of Spanish Florida

• INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE April 29 - May 2, 1799The Republican Newspaper of Boston Thomas Adams, editor, died pending trial. His brother, Abijah, the bookkeeper, wasthen tried and jailed for Sedition.

•

The Alien & Sedition Act Trials1800

PUBLICATION OF THE SEDITION

ACT

Virginia and Kentucky Resolves

• RESOLVED, That the General Assembly of Virginia, doth unequivocably express a firm resolution to maintain and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of this State, against every aggression either foreign or domestic, and that they will support the government of the United States in all measures warranted by the former.

….That the General Assembly doth also express its deep regret, that a spirit has in sundry instances, been manifested by the federal government, to enlarge its powers by forced constructions of the constitutional charter which defines them;

…and inevitable consequence of which would be, to transform the present republican system of the United States, into an absolute, or at best a mixed monarchy.

…That the General Assembly doth particularly protest against the palpable and alarming infractions of the Constitution, in the two late cases of the "Alien and Sedition Acts" passed at the last session of Congress;

• …like dispositions of the other states,in confidence that they will concur with this commonwealth in declaring, as it does hereby declare, that the acts aforesaid, are unconstitutional; and that the necessary and proper measures will be taken by each, for co-operating with this state, in maintaining the Authorities, Rights, and Liberties, referred to the

States respectively, or to the people.

Election of 1800

The 12th Amendment

• The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;--

Judiciary Act of 1801

“Revolution of 1800”

• Jefferson- Reduced Size and Control of the Federal Government

• Reduced the Federal Budget and Debt

• Repealed the Whiskey Tax

• Cut Military Spending by One-Half

• Kept Hamilton’s Financial Plan

• Neutrality between Britain and France maintained

Marbury v Madison

• James Madison

Secretary of State

What to do about France?• Spain coerced by Napoleon to sign a treaty with France

– giving France control of the Louisiana Territory• France/Napoleon hope to create a “New France” Empire

in the Americas – this could end the U.S.’s access to the Mississippi and New Orleans

• Toussiant L’Ouverture overthrew the French in Haiti BLOCKING this from happening (Haiti would act as a launch for a new French Empire

France cont’d

Jefferson sends delegates to negotiate a purchase of New Orleans – for up to $10 Million.

• Due to war with Great Britain, French Foreign Minister Talleyrand offers ALL of Louisiana for $15 BEFORE we make an offer, France is desperate for $.

• U.S. nearly DOUBLES in size• Is this CONSTITUTIONAL?

The U.S. in 1803 - After The Louisiana Purchase

Slave Law 1807

• Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and eight, it shall not be lawful to import or bring into the United States or the territories thereof from any foreign kingdom, place, or country, any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, with intent to hold, sell, or dispose of such negro, mulatto, or person of colour, as a slave, or to be held to service or labour.

•

Essex Decision

• Orders-In-Council ruled that “Broken Voyages” were illegal. ALL ships going anywhere in Europe MUST stop first in British ports (Gr. Britain).

• Continental System – Britain shuts down all European ports

• Americans continue smuggling goods into Europe disregarding the above

USS Chesapeake

Vs

HMS Leopard

Embargo Act of 1807 – NO TRADE

Non-Intercourse Act of 1809

• NO TRADE WITH EITHER BRITAIN OR FRANCEAn Act to interdict the commercial intercourse between the United States and Great Britain and France, and their dependencies; and for other purposes.

Be it enacted . . ., That from and after the passing of this act, the entrance of the harbors and waters of the United States and of the territories thereof, be, and the same is hereby interdicted to all public ships and vessels belonging to Great Britain or France, excepting vessels only which may be forced in by distress,

Macon’s Bill No. 2

• That in case either Great Britain or France shall, before the third day of March next, so revoke or modify her edicts as that they shall cease to violate the neutral commerce of the United States, which fact the President of the United States shall declare by proclamation, and if the other nation shall not within three months thereafter so revoke or modify her edicts in like manner, then the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eighteenth sections of the act, entitled "An act to interdict the commercial intercourse between the United States and Great Britain and France and their dependencies, and for other purposes”

The Hartford Convention  "New England Considers Secession"  December 15, 1814- January 5, 1815

The delegates drafted proposals for constitutional amendments that would challenge what they saw as President James Madison's military despotism and force him to resign. Political cartoons of the day depicted England's King George III trying to lure Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island back into the British fold.