Chapter 10Launching the Nation

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Choosing the President

Washington was not eager to become the president

Americans thought the opposite January, 1789, electors from 11

states sent to vote for president

Electoral College – group selected by state legislatures to represent popular vote

Choosing the President

April 6, 1789 – Washington becomes President

Sworn in in New York City Thousands gathered to see this

Republican Motherhood

Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, wanted women to participate equally in society

Republican Motherhood

Most families in America did not educate their daughters

Most stayed home and tended to the house/kids

Life in the New Republic

1790 - 4 million Americans at this time Two major cities – New York and

Philadelphia with over 25,000 people Most lived in countryside Merchants and farmers

Life in the New Republic

1790 – New York City had a population of 33,000

Actually served as the first capitol of the U.S.

Had to be rebuilt after the Revolution

Setting Precedents

What is a precedent?– An action or decision that later serves

as an example-Knew that everything that was done

would be looked at as setting an example

Setting Precedents

Washington’s cabinet– Organizing the executive branch– Different roles– Sec. of State – Thomas Jefferson– Sec. of War – Henry Knox– Sec. of Treasury – Alexander Hamilton– Postmaster General – Samuel Osgood

Establishing Federal Courts

Judicial Branch– Judiciary Act – Established the federal

court system– 3 levels– District court Court of Appeals– Supreme Court

Had six justices – John jay was chief Justice and Edmond Randolph as Attorney General

Chapter 10Lesson 2

Hamilton and National Finances .

Settling the Debt

Alexander Hamilton had a huge challenge

Paying off the national debt – Amount of money owed to various creditors

11.7 million to foreign creditors 40.4 million to American creditors

– Bonds – Promissory notes that were supposed to be repaid to citizens

Settling the Debt

Most sold bonds to Speculators – People who bought bonds at lower prices with hopes of that price rising.

States’ Debt– States owed the Fed. Gov’t 25 million– Gov’t agreed to pay 21 million of it.

A New Capitol

July of 1790 Washington D.C. became our new capitol

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

Alexander Hamilton – Strong central government

Thomas Jefferson – Protect power of the states

These two butted heads continuousely

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

Manufacturing and Agriculture– Hamilton – promote growth of

manufacturing and commerce– Wanted a diverse economy– Protective Tariff – A duty, or tax on

imported goodsProtect U.S. goodsMake U.S. goods a better bargain

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

Jefferson– Wanted more focus on agriculture

rather than industry/commerce.– Thought farmers made the best citizens

Due to their independence

Debate over the Bank

Hamilton wanted a national bank – Depositing funds– Giving loans to businesses.– 20 year charter

At end of twenty years, bank could close if not working out

Jefferson disagreed– Said it was unconstitutional

Strict vs. Loose Construction

Hamilton Believed in a loose construction of the constitution– Federal government could take

reasonable actions that the constitution did not specifically forbid it from taking

-Allowed for the constitution to change as needed

Troubles Abroad

French Revolution– Most Americans in favor of it at first– Compared it to ours – same reasoning– Post revolution

French declare war on BritainOur own cabinet was split in regards to

helping BritainJefferson – Supported FranceHamilton – Supported BritainNeutrality Proclamation – We would

remain neutral toward all nations at war in Europe

Jefferson Resigns

Resigned due to continuing differences with Hamilton

Washington dissappointed

British Violation of U.S. Neutrality

British Abuses– Seized all ships carrying food to West

Indies– Included American merchant ships– Encouraging Native Americans to fight

against Americans on Western Frontier

– War is inevitable– Tried to negotiate a treaty

Treaties

Jay’s Treaty– John Jay – Chief Justice– British agreed to:

Pay for all damaged shipsAbandon forts on western frontierAllow merchant ships to trade in western

caribbeanWe agreed to pay back debts to British

merchants from Revolutionary WarCongress passed

Treaties

Pinckney’s Treaty– Thomas Pinckney – Ambassador to

SpainSpain was not allowing us to trade in New

OrleansSpain agreed to:

– CHANGE Florida's border– Reopen port of New Orleans to U.S.– Provide right of deposit – Allow U.S. boats to

transfer goods without paying fees on their cargo.

Challenges at Home

Northwest Territory– Little Turtle – Supplied by British traders– Fought against settlers in NW territory– Battle of Fallen Timbers

Mad Anthony Wayne – U.S. officerTrained his soldiersDefeated the nativesTreaty of Greenville – Gave U.S. access to

native lands in NW Territory and guaranteed safe travel

Challenges at Home

Whiskey Rebellion– New tax on U.S. made whiskey in 1791– None on imported!– Tax to help pay national debt– Most protestors in Western PA– Washington sent soldiers to stop

rebellion – rebels fled prior to fighting

John Adam’s Presidency

The Election of 1796– Political Parties

Two candidates, two partiesParties developed over issues i.e.

economics, Whiskey Rebellion, etc

John Adam’s Presidency

Federalist Candidate – Johns Adams and Thomas Pinckney

Democratic-Republican Party – Thomas Jefferson and James Madison– Adams Narrowly defeats Jefferson –

71-68 electoral votes!– Jefferson becomes VP – second place

President Adams

XYZ Affair – Privateers- French and U.S.– Pinckney, Marshall, and Gerry sent to

France– French Foreign Minister would not talk to

them– Sent three secret agents –x,y, and Z– French wanted – $250,000 bribe and a 12

million dollar loan!We said no!!!!!He didn’t tell congress at first

President Adams

XYZ Affair – Americans outraged – wanted war– Adam’s response – Built a strong navy

and a peacetime army

President Adams

Both countries were fighting at sea! 1800 – Both signed a treaty ending all

fighting. People not happy – wanted war with

France Alien and Sedition acts

– 1798– Allowed the U.S to expel any foreigner

living in U.S. for any treasonable or secretive functions

President Adams

Sedition Act – Any U.S. citizen could not plot against the government

Madison and Jefferson– A&S act was unconstitutional– Passed Virginia and Kentucky

ResolutionsBasically outlined reasons for the act being

unconstitutionalFailed to work

Election of 1800

Adams and Pinckney vs. Jefferson and Aaron Burr– Claimed Jefferson wanted war with

France– Republicans uses A&S act as fuel

Result – Jefferson and Burr won by 8 electoral votes-Twelfth Amendment – Created a separate ballot for the Vice Pres.