The Federalists Era summary and notes
The Federalists Era summary and notes
The following texts are the property of their respective authors and we thank them for giving us the opportunity to share for free to students, teachers and users of the Web their texts will used only for illustrative educational and scientific purposes only.
The information of medicine and health contained in the site are of a general nature and purpose which is purely informative and for this reason may not replace in any case, the council of a doctor or a qualified entity legally to the profession.
The Federalists Era summary and notes
Chapter 10 The Federalists Era (1789-1800)
Section 1
Establishing the New Government: George Washington took the oath of office, on April 30. 1789. John Adams a lawyer and patriot leader received the next largest vote and became the first Vice President.
House of Representatives were elected by the people, as they are elected today. Senators however, well chose by state legislatures- a practice that continued until an amendment in 1913.
The U.S. was a weak country. Its army was small, and it had no navy. The U.S. owed money, with no way of raising it. Washington’s task, he had no models to follow in his new job.
The Legislative Branch: members of the House of Representatives chose as speaker Fredrick Muhlenberg. According to the constitution, the Vice President is the official leader and president of the Senate.
Congress passes Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments describe the power and rights of American citizens.
The Executive Branch and Cabinet
Cabinet: advises who discusses action and policies. The first cabinet included several outstanding men.
Thomas Jefferson: Secretary of State
Henry Knox: Secretary of War
Alexander Hamilton: Secretary of the Treasury
Edmund Randolph: Attorney General
The Judicial Branch
Judiciary Act of 1789, this act stated that the Supreme Court should be made up of 1 chief justice and 5 associate justices. Washington appointed John Jay as the first Chief Justice.
National Debt: total amount a government owes on money it has borrowed.
Alexander Hamilton: Secretary of Treasury plan for dealing with the national debt, called for the federal government to pay the debts owed by both the nation and the states back.
Opposition to Hamilton’s Plan
Many Southerners notably James Madison did not like Hamilton’s plan. Most states in the South had paid off their debts. Southerners led by Jefferson opposed the plan also because they did not want to see the power of the state governments weakened by being dependent on the federal government.
The Bank of the United States: Another important part of Hamilton’s financial plan was a national bank.
He proposed four duties of the Bank:
- the bank would handle the federal governments money
- collect tax money
- issue paper money
- give out loans to help the growth of businesses
Taxes and Rebellions
Excise Tax: a tax placed on goods made, sold, and used within the country.
Tariffs: or taxes placed on certain manufactured goods brought into the country.
The Whiskey Rebellion
Farmers in Pennsylvania refused to pay for taxes placed on whiskey. President Washington responded angrily. He sent out the militia and the revolt was over.
Section 2 Dealing with other Nations
Challenges from other Nations: Great Britain still had forts in Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region. They continued to trade with the Native American allies and stir them up against the settlers.
The Battle of Fallen Timbers: crushed the Native Americans hopes of keeping their lands. They surrendered most of their land in present day Ohio to the settlers.
Pirates in Mediterranean: traders faced pirates from the states of the Barbary Coast of North Africa- Morocco, Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli. Pirates stole cargos seized by American ships and sailors. To sail safely, the U.S. had to pay tribute or protection money to local rulers.
Choosing Neutrality
In 1793 Great Britain and several other nations went to war against France. France now called the U.S. abides by the Treaty of Alliance of 1778. According to this treaty the two nations (US and France) would provide aid to each other in war. President Washington however wanted neutrality. After all ¾ of Americans trade was with Britain. Washington issued a Proclamation of Neutrality, stating the US would continue to trade with both France and Great Britain.
Challenges to Neutrality: both the French and British seized hundreds of American ships.
Imprisonment: British kidnapped American sailors to serve in the British army.
Agreement with Great Britain: Washington sent John Jay to negotiated peace with Britain. The British did not want to lose American trade or see US allied with France.
Jay Treaty: Britain agrees to withdraw from its forts in the Northwest. It also allowed American merchant ships to trade in British West Indies. A major disappointment in Jay’s treaty- the British had not promised to stop seizing American ships or kidnapping American sailors.
Pinckney Treaty: too keep friendly ties with United States, Spain allowed American ships to use the lower Mississippi and trade through the port of New Orleans.
Washington leaves office: During Washington’s two terms of office he established a firm foundation for new national government. Many people encouraged Washington to seek another term; he was tired of public office.
Section 3 Political Parties Develop
Political party: is a group of people with similar ideas and beliefs about government.
Federalists: led by Alexander Hamilton believed in strong federal government.
Democratic-Republican: led by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson- states rights.
Differences between the first Political Parties
Federalist leader Alexander Hamilton:
- Rule by wealth and educated
- Strong federal government
- Emphasis manufacturing
- Loose interpretation of constitution
- Pro-British, anti-French
- National Bank
- Protective tariffs
Democratic-Republicans leader Thomas Jefferson:
- Rule by the people
- Strong state government
- Emphasis agriculture product
- Strict interpretation of the constitution
- Pro-French, anti-British
- State Banks
- Free trade
In the 1790 the US was overwhelmingly a farming nation. Small farmers made up 90% of the population.
Politics Dominate the Election of 1796
The Federalists: supported John Adams for President and Thomas Pinckney for Vice President.
The Democratic-Republicans: supported Thomas Jefferson for President and Aaron Burr for Vice President.
John Adams had the most votes and Thomas Jefferson had second highest. So this meant the President and Vice President came from opposing parties.
Section 4 Troubled times for John Adams
Problems with France: French shops stopped the American ships and seized our cargo. Adams sent three delegates to Paris to up the peace terms. The American agents were met by three French agents. The French agents demanded a bribe of $250,000, just to talk and a loan of about $10,000,000 be paid to the prime minister.
The XYZ Affair: the French agents were known as XYZ. The XYZ made many people even angrier with France it brought the two countries to war.
A popular slogan was millions for Defense but not one cent for tribute. Congress quickly voted to enlarge the US army and navy. Soon America warships were engaging an undeclared navel war with France.
Frances new leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, was at war with Britain and did not want US as an enemy too.
Convention of 1800: France and U.S. agreed on terms for peace.
During Adams administration, Congress passed four laws:
- Naturalization Act: increased the number of years from 5 to 14 years to become a citizen
- Alien Act: gave the President power to imprison or deport any foreigner
- The Alien Enemies Act: U.S. government could arrest and deport all aliens who were aliens of foreign nations at war with the U.S.
- Sedition Act: this law made it a crime to speak or write critically about the President, member of Congress and federal Government. The purpose was to stop criticism of government.
Federalists lose power: By 1800 the Federalists had lost support of many people. Adams stand on peace with France split his own political party. Hamilton and other federalists refused to support Adams as their Presidential candidate. At the same time, Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans were gaining support. In many people’s mind Jefferson stood for more liberty, and less government.
The Election of 1800: The Democratic-Republicans had won. But who was President, Jefferson or Burr. Both had 73 elected votes. The vote went to the House of Representatives, where Jefferson won.
Amending the Constitution: to avoid another tie the 12th amendment was passed in 1804. This amendment calls for electors to vote on separate ballots to elect President and Vice President. “Midnight Judges"
Source : http://lehijr.alpineschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/U.S.-History-Chapter-10.doc
Web site link: http://lehijr.alpineschools.org/
Google key word : The Federalists Era summary and notes file type : doc
Author : not indicated on the source document of the above text
If you are the author of the text above and you not agree to share your knowledge for teaching, research, scholarship (for fair use as indicated in the United States copyrigh low) please send us an e-mail and we will remove your text quickly.
The Federalists Era summary and notes
THE FEDERALIST ERA (1789-1801)
DOMESTIC POLICY
I. America c. 1790
A. Population nearly 4 million in 1790 census: doubling every 25 years.
1. About 90% of Americans lived on farms
2. Cities growing proportionally: Philadelphia, NY, Boston, Charleston, Baltimore
3. 5% lived east of the Allegheny mountains
-- New states:Kentucky, 1792; Tennessee 1796; Ohio 1803; (Vermont
1791 had became 14th state)
B. Finances of the new nation were precarious
1. Public debt was enormous; revenue had significantly declined
2. Worthless paper money, both state & national, was in heavy circulation.
C. Americans were trying to build a Republic on an immense scale.
1. Had overthrown two constitutions in 12 years: British and Articles of
Confederation
2. Foreign challenges by Britain and Spain threatened the unity of the U.S.
II. President Washington's Administration
A. Washington unanimously drafted as president by the Electoral College in 1789
– only Presidential nominee ever to be honored unanimously.
1. Many believe Congress was willing to give the presidency power due to
Washington's immense respectability
2. Took oath of office on April 30, 1789 in temporary capital of NYC.
-- John Adams sworn in as vice president
B. Washington's cabinet
1. Precedent: Consulting of cabinet members (department heads) in order
to make decisions.
2. Constitution does not mention a cabinet
3. The cabinet has become an integral part of the "unwritten constitution."
4. In the beginning, only three full-fledged department heads existed:
a. Secretary of State -- Thomas Jefferson
b. Secretary of the Treasury -- Alexander Hamilton
c. Secretary of War -- Henry Knox
d. Edmund Randolph--Attorney General; became the 4th major cabinet
member after passage of Judiciary Act of 1789.
5. Cabinet characterized by bickering between Hamilton and Jefferson.
III. Bill of Rights
A. One of first priorities facing the new government
1. Antifederalists had sharply criticized the Constitution for not having one.
2. Many states had ratified under the condition that one be included.
B. Amendments to the Constitution could be achieved two ways:
1. A new constitutional convention requested by 2/3 of the states (has never happened)
2. 2/3 vote by both houses of Congress and ratification by 3/4 of states (has happened on 18
separate occasions)
C. Federalists feared that another constitutional convention might reverse their victory
-- James Madison drafted the amendments and submitted them toCongress.
-- Madison's draft based largely on James Mason's bill of rights in Virginia.
D. Bill of Rights -- First ten amendments to the Constitution adopted in 1791.
1. Provided safeguards for some of America's most precious principles:
Amendment I. Freedom of speech, press, assembly, & religion
Amendment II. Right to bear arms
Amendment III. Troops may not be arbitrarily quartered on the people
Amendment IV. Unreasonable searches and seizures forbidden
Amendment V. The individual is guaranteed certain rights when on trial
and the right to life, liberty and property
Amendment VI. Right to a fair and speedy trial in criminal cases
Amendment VII. Right to a trial in civil cases (law suits against other citizens)
Amendment VIII. Excessive fines and unusual punishments are forbidden.
Amendment IX. The people retain rights not enumerated in the Constitution
Amendment X. Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved
to the states and the people.
IV. Judiciary Act of 1789
A. Organized the Supreme Court with a chief justice (John Jay) and five associates
B. Organized federal district and circuit courts.
C. Established the office of attorney general.
D. Fatal provision: law stated Supreme Court could force presidential appointments of judges.
V. Hamilton’s Financial Plan
A. Economic Philosophy
1. Report on Public Credit (1790)
a. Plan to shape fiscal policies of the administration to favor wealthier groups
b. In return, the wealthy would lend the gov't monetary & moral support
c. Prosperity would trickle down to the masses
2. Report on Manufactures (1791)
a. Advocated promotion of a factory system in U.S. so the nation
could exploit its national resources and strengthen capitalism.
b. Was the basis for the tariff component in his financial plan.
B. Hamilton’s Plan contained five major components:
1. Funding at Par
a. Purpose: Bolstering national credit
-- Believed gov't couldn't borrow money without investor confidence
b. Urged Congress to pay off the entire national debt by "funding at par" and to
assume all debts incurred by the states during the Revolutionary war.
c. Debts would be paid at face value plus accumulated interest
d. Gov’t bonds had depreciated to 10 or 15 cents on the dollar since the new
Treasury was believed incapable of paying its obligations.
i. Speculators still had large amounts of bonds.
ii.Many wealthy investors rushed to buy as many bonds as possible in rural areas
at rock-bottom prices before news of Hamilton's plan reached countryside.
iii. Many original bondholders (common people) sold unknowingly as they
were often poor and desperate for immediate cash.
e. Hamilton was bitterly criticized for not alerting original bondholders to the plan.
2. Assumption of State Debts
a. Hamilton urged Congress to assume the states' debts.
b. Hamilton's ulterior motive: further obligate states to the federal gov't.
i. Hamilton believed nat'l debt was a "blessing" that would cement the union.
ii. States with huge debt were delighted (esp. Mass.)
iii. States with less debt or no remaining debt were unhappy
-- Hated being taxed to pay somebody else's debt. (Virginia especially angry)
iv. North-South struggle ensued over assumption
c. Compromise achieved in 1790 through a process called "log rolling"
i. "Log rolling" occurs when two opposing factions agree to vote for each other’s bills so
that their own cherished bills will pass.
ii. Federal government would assume all state debt
iii. South would get new federal district-- now District of Columbia.
-- Pierre L’Enfant -- Created map plan for the new city.
-- Benjamin Banneker -- African American who surveyed land
Washington was to be built on.
iv. Madison and Jefferson instrumental in helping set up compromise.
-- Jefferson later lamented he was outwitted by Hamilton
3. Tariffs (customs duties) became a source of revenue for paying the debt
a. Tariff revenues depended on a healthy foreign trade.
b. Revenue Act of 1789-- imposed an 8% tariff on dutiable imports
i. First tariff law passed in U.S. History at the national level
ii. Secondary goal was to help protect infant industries.
4. Excise taxes
a. 1791, Hamilton secured an excise tax on a few domestic items incl. whisky.
i. Backcountry distillers most affected by the 7 cent/gallon tax.
-- Poor roads made grain transportation practical only by horseback
which severely hampered profit potential of cash crops.
ii. Whiskey flowed so freely in this region it was often used as money.
b. Hamilton not overly concerned with the protests from the frontier – most
had been antifederalist in sentiment.
5. Battle for the National Bank: most important Hamilton v. Jefferson issue
a. Foundation of Hamilton's financial plan was a Bank of the United States
-- Washington requested written opinions from Jefferson & Hamilton
b. Provisions:
i. Gov't would be the major stockholder despite bank being a private stock corp.
-- 1/5 of members of its board of directors would be government appointees.
ii. Federal Treasury would deposit its surplus moneys in the bank
-- Federal gov't would have a convenient safe.
-- Federal funds would stimulate business by remaining in circulation.
iii. Government would print urgently needed paper money thus providing a
sound & stable national currency.
c. Jefferson strongly opposed the bank
i. States' righters feared liberties would be jeopardized by a huge central bank.
-- Moneyed interests would benefit at the expense of farmers.
-- State banks would not be able to compete against federal bank.
-- Federal gov't did eventually enjoy a monopoly of surplus funds
ii. strict construction -- strict interpretation of the Constitution
-- Jefferson: Constitution did not stipulate creation of a nat’l bank.
d. Hamilton argued Constitution would support a plan for a national bank
i. loose construction -- Hamilton urged a broad interpretation of the
Constitution
-- Set a precedent for enormous federal powers.
ii. “elastic clause” -- Provided for passing any laws "necessary & proper" to carry
out the powers vested in the various governmental agencies.”
-- Also known as Congress’ Implied Powers
iii. Bank would be "necessary" to store collection of taxes & moneys from
the regulation of trade, both of which were stated in the Constitution.
e. Washington reluctantly signed the bank measure into law in February, 1791
i. Hamilton's views had prevailed over Jefferson’s
ii. Bank chartered for 20 years; located in Philadelphia
iii. Old North-South friction surfaced again
-- Bank favored commercial and financial centers in the North.
-- The agricultural South saw their cherished state banks wither.
f. Bank issue sparked the open public split between Hamilton and Jefferson.
C. The Whiskey Rebellion (1794)
1. Southwestern Pennsylvania backcountry folks hard hit by Hamilton's excise tax.
2. “Whiskey Boys” posed a major challenge to the new national government
a. Torched buildings, tarred & feathered revenue officers, chased gov’t
supporters from the region; some talked of secession from U.S.
b. Tax collections came to a halt.
3. Washington summoned the militia of several states resulting in 13,000-man army.
a. Washington accompanied troops part of the way; Hamilton all the way.
4. When the troops reached the hills of w. Penn., the Whiskey Boys dispersed.
-- Washington later pardoned the two convicted participants to heal the rift.
5. Significance: Washington's government showed it could ensure domestic tranquility
a. Proved that another Shays’-type rebellion could not succeed under the new
Constitution
b. Jeffersonians condemned the action as a brutal display of force and their ranks grew.
D. Hamilton’s financial plan became the cornerstone of America's financial system.
1. Strengthened the government politically as well as financially.
a. Established strong public credit:
b. "Loose construction" -- paved way for increase of federal power
c. Report on Manufactures – anticipated the industrial revolution
2. Jeffersonian opposition emerged due to encroachments upon states' rights
VI. Birth of the Party System
A. Founding Fathers in Philadelphia did not envision the existence of political parties.
1. Organized opposition seemed disloyal and against spirit of national unity..
2. No national political party had ever existed in America before Washington's
administration.
3. Factions had existed only over special issues: e.g. Tories & Whigs, Federalists &
Antifederalists. Factions were not parties.
4. Jefferson & Madison first organized their opposition to Hamilton only in Congress
-- Did not anticipate creating a permanent, popular party.
5. As their antagonism at Hamilton grew, political parties began to emerge.
6. By 1792-1793, two well-defined groups had crystallized:
i. Hamiltonian Federalists
ii. Jeffersonian Republicans
7. Our two-party system is owed to the clash between Hamilton & Jefferson.
B. Federalists
1. Emerged from the federalists of the pre-Constitution period by 1793.
2. Believed in gov't by the upper classes with secondary attention to the masses.
a. Openly advocated rule by the "best people."
i. Rich had more leisure to study problems of governing.
ii. Enjoyed all the advantages of intelligence, education, & culture.
b. John Jay: "Those who own the country ought to govern it."
3. Distrusted the common people.
a. Regarded democracy as a "mobocracy"
b. Democracy too important to be left to the people.
4. Supported a strong central government
a. Maintain law & order; crush democratic excesses (Shays’ Rebellion)
b. Protect life & property of the wealthy.
5. Federal gov't should foster business, not interfere with it.
a. Federalists dominated by merchants, manufacturers, & shippers
b. Most lived in urban areas of the seaboard where commerce & manufacturing
flourished.
6. Pro-British in foreign policy over other powers
a. Foreign trade with Britain was key in Hamilton's plan.
b. Many Federalists were mild Loyalists
-- Welcomed bias in favor of the mother country.
C. Jeffersonians
1. Advocated the rule of the people; government for the people
a. However, only by those who were literate enough to inform themselves.
b. Believed in the wisdom of the common people; teachability of the masses
2. Biggest appeal was to the middle class and the underprivileged --
yeoman farmers, laborers, artisans, and small shopkeepers.
3. Democratic-Republicans believed the best government was one that governed least.
a. Bulk of power should be retained by the states.
b. Central authority was to kept at bay by a strict interpretation of Constitution
lest a dictatorship develop (especially the 10th Amendment).
4. National debt was a curse to future generations that should be paid off ASAP.
5. Jeffersonians themselves were primarily agrarians
a. Insisted on no special privileges for special classes, esp. manufacturers.
b. Farming was an ennobling profession
6. Believed in freedom of speech to expose tyranny.
7. Basically pro-French
-- It was to America's advantage to support liberal ideas of the French Revolution.
D. Evolution of Major Parties (see Bailey p. 196)
FEDERALIST ERA: Foreign Policy
I. Impact of the French Revolution
A. Significance: Single most important issue separating Federalists and Republicans
B. Americans initially pleased; esp. Jeffersonians
1. Saw the French Revolution as the second chapter of the American Revolution.
2. 1792, supported France's war against Austria; pleased with victory over Prussia.
-- France proclaimed itself a republic
C. “Reign of Terror”
1. King Louis XVI & his wife, Mary Antoinette, beheaded
a. Guillotine went into full force against conservatives & anti-revolutionaries
b. Christianity was abolished
2. Jeffersonians regretted bloodshed but felt it probably could not be avoided
3. Federalists frightened at the scope of the carnage; viewed Jeffersonian masses
apprehensively.
D. French Revolution became a world war
1. Britain sucked into the conflict
2. U.S. had to decide which side to support when war spread to the Atlantic & Caribbean.
II. Washington's Neutrality Proclamation (1793)
A. U.S. still obligated to France under the Franco-American alliance of 1778
1. U.S. had pledged to protect French West Indies from enemies
2. Jeffersonians favored honoring the Alliance
B. President Washington believed war should be avoided at all costs
1. U.S. was militarily weak in 1793 and should stay out of war for a generation or so.
2. Premature entry into world conflicts could prove disastrous.
-- Hamilton & Jefferson in agreement.
C. Neutrality Proclamation of 1793
1. Proclaimed U.S. neutrality toward the war between Britain and France
2. Warned citizens to be impartial to both Britain & France
D. American Reaction
1. Jeffersonians enraged, especially by Washington not consulting Congress.
2. Federalists supported it.
3. Citizen Genet
a. French envoy/ profiteer undertook to entice U.S. profiteers to outfit French
ships and supply the French war cause and recruited Americans
b. Wrongly believed Neutrality Act did not truly reflect the wishes of Americans.
c. Suggested going over "Old Washington's" head by appealing to the voters.
d. Washington demanded his withdrawal & Genet was replaced.
E. America & France benefited from U.S. neutrality
1. America's neutrality meant it could still deliver foodstuffs to the West Indies.
2. France did not officially call upon U.S. to honor its obligation.
3. If U.S. entered war, British navy would blockade coasts and cut off needed supplies.
III. Jay Treaty (1794) -- Temporarily eased U.S. conflict with Great Britain
A. Significance: Most important immediate cause for formation of Democratic Republican party.
B. Background: British had continued menacing Americans on U.S. soil and on the high seas
1. British remained in their northern frontier posts on U.S. soil
a. Violation of the Peace treaty of 1783
b. Sold firearms and alcohol to Native Americans who attacked American settlers
2. British navy seized about 300 U.S. ships seized in the West Indies starting in 1793
3. Hundreds of Americans impressed into service on British vessels while hundres of
others imprisoned.
C. Federalists unwilling to go to war
1. U.S. depended on 75% of its customs duties from British imports.
2. Jeffersonians argued that U.S. should impose an embargo against George III.
D. Washington sent Jay, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, to London in 1794
1. Jeffersonians feared the conservative Jay would sell out
2. Hamilton handicapped Jay’s negotiations; secretly gave Brits U.S. bargaining strategy
-- Hamilton feared war with Britain and was willing to appease them.
E. Provisions: America won few concessions
1. British renewed their pledge to remove their posts from U.S. soil (as in 1783)
2. British consented to pay damages for recent seizures of American ships
3. British refused to guarantee against future maritime seizures and impressments or
the inciting of Native Americans to violence on the frontier.
4. Jay forced to bind U.S. to pay pre-Revolution debts owed to British merchants
F. Jeffersonian outrage vitalized the new Democratic-Republican party.
1. South felt betrayed that northern merchants would be paid damages
2. Southern planters would be taxed to pay pre-Revolution debt.
G. War with Britain was averted
1. Washington reluctantly and courageously pushed for ratification of the treaty
-- Realized war with Britain was a worse evil than this humiliating treaty.
2. The Senate narrowly approved the treaty in 1795
IV. Pinckney Treaty of 1795 (ratified by Senate in 1796)
A. Normalized relations with Spain
B. Spanish Motive: fearful of an Anglo-American alliance; sought to appease Americans
1. Spain a declining power in Europe
2. Spain’s position declining on the American frontier
C. Treaty provisions: (Spanish concessions)
1. Granted free navigation of the Mississippi to the U.S. including right of deposit at
port city of New Orleans
2. Yielded large area north of Florida that had been in dispute for over a decade.
-- 31st parallel recognized as legal border between U.S. and Spanish Florida.
V. Defeat of Indians on the Frontier
A. Iroquois nation forced onto reservations in New York & Pennsylvania after the
Revolutionary war.
1. Many fled to Canada.
2. No longer major threat to U.S.
B. Indians in Northwest and Southwest borders, Shawnee and Miami tribes increasingly
hostile toward Americans.
-- Incited by British on far reaches of the frontier who were eager to keep U.S. in check.
C. Washington lost two armies in the Northwest in 1790-1791 to the Shawnee and allied tribes.
D. General “Mad” Anthony Wayne finally led U.S. forces to victory in Old Northwest
1. Battle of Fallen Timbers in August 1794 was the climactic battle.
-- Indians finally forced to abandon their British allies
2. Treaty of Greenville (1795) – cleared 2/3 of Ohio and Indiana of Indian tribes.
3. Britain abandoned its forts in the Old Northwest.
E. Eastern Woodlands Indians now saw their lifestyle ruined by increased competition for fur
trade, white settlement, and ruining of hunting grounds.
1. Forced westward, they came into increased conflict with tribes west of Mississippi.
2. A movement to regenerate Indian society swept through the region and was led by certain
Indian prophets but eventually failed due to continued American expansion.
VI. Washington’s Farewell Address
A. He had reluctantly accepted a second term when his friends & advisors begged him to stay
-- Unanimously reelected
B. Washington lost his nonpartisan standing when he became a Federalist
-- Verbal abuse from Jeffersonian wing was pronounced
C. Refused to accept a third term as President
1. Set a precedent for the 2-term presidency (or was it Jefferson?)
2. Washington exhausted physically and weary of verbal abuse
D. Farewell Address
1. 2/3 domestic related: Warned against evils of political parties -- partisan bitterness.
2. Warned against permanent foreign alliances (like treaty with France)
3. Jeffersonians angered that speech seemed to declare U.S. hostility toward France.
4. Isolationism became dominant U.S. foreign policy for next 100 years.
E. Washington thus kept U.S. out of war
F. Washington's Precedents
1. President came to rely on department heads for advice & consult regularly with cabinet.
2. Chief executive gained the right to choose his own cabinet.
-- This custom grew out of Congress' respect for Washington
3. Two-term office for president
4. After Jay resigned, went outside the Supreme Court to select new Chief Justice
VII. Election of 1796
A. John Adams became the Federalist candidate: experienced leader from Massachusetts.
-- Hamilton too unpopular among the masses to be a serious candidate
B. Democratic-Republicans gathered around Thomas Jefferson
-- Assailed the crushing of the Whiskey Rebellion and Jay's Treaty
C. Adams d. Jefferson 71 to 66 in the Electoral College
-- Jefferson, as runner-up, became V.P.
VIII. War with France
A. French Directory government infuriated by Jay Treaty
1. Condemned it as an initial step towards alliance with Britain
2. Saw it as a flagrant violation of the Franco-American Treaty of 1778
3. French warships began seizing U.S. merchant vessels (about 300 by mid-1797)
4. Refused to receive America's newly appointed envoy; threatened him with arrest.
B. XYZ Affair
1. President Adams sent a delegation to Paris in 1797 (incl. John Marshall).
2. Secretly approached by three go-betweeners (agents"X,Y, & Z")
-- French demanded a large loan of $32 million florins and a bribe of
$250K for U.S. privilege of merely talking to foreign minister Talleyrand.
3. Negotiations broke down and Marshall came home—seen as a hero
4. War hysteria swept the U.S.
-- Federalists encouraged that the Jeffersonians' ally (French) was now hated
C. Undeclared Naval Warfare, 1798-1799 -- “Quasi -War”
1. U.S. war preparations set in motion
a. Navy Department at the cabinet level was created: 3 ship navy expanded
b. Marine Corps established
c. Army of 10,000 men was authorized (not fully raised)
-- Washington was top general but gave active command to Hamilton
2. Adams suspended all trade with France and authorized American ship captains
to capture armed French vessels
3. Undeclared hostilities ensued for 2 1/2 years between 1798-1800
a. Principally in the West Indies.
b. U.S. privateers + U.S. navy captured over 80 French armed vessels
c. Several hundred Yankee merchantmen lost to the French.
d. Full-blown war loomed imminently and Adams sought to keep U.S. out
D. Convention of 1800 (Adam's “Finest Moment”)
1. French Foreign Minister Talleyrand became eager to negotiate a peace
-- Did not want another enemy on the side of the British
2. Adams shockingly submitted to the Senate a new foreign minister to France
a. Hamiltonian "High Federalists" enraged by designs for peace; sought military glory
b. Jeffersonians and moderate Federalists favored one last try for peace
3. Envoys arrived in 1800 to negotiate with Napoleon (who was bent on European conquest)
4. Convention of 1800
a. France agreed to end the 22-year Franco-American alliance with the U.S.
b. U.S. agreed to pay the damage claims of American shippers.
c. Thus, America's only peacetime military alliance for a century and a half was ended
5. Significance:
a. Major war with France avoided
b. Rapprochement made possible the Louisiana Purchase 3 years later.
-- If war had occurred, Napoleon would not have sold Louisiana
c. Adams felt this to be his finest achievement.
E. Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)
1. Purpose: Federalists passed a series of oppressive laws in 1798 that would reduce power
of Jeffersonian foes and silence anti-war opposition
2. Alien Acts
a. Attack on pro-Jeffersonian "aliens"
i. Most immigrants lacked wealth and were welcomed by Jeffersonians.
ii. Scorned by Federalists who did not want the "dregs" of Europe voting in U.S.
b. Raised residence requirements for U.S. citizenship from 5 yrs to 14 yrs.
c. President empowered to deport "dangerous" foreigners in time of peace and to
deport or imprison them in time of hostilities.
d. Laws in some ways seemed sensible
i. Some foreign agitators were coming into the country (Citizen Genet)
ii. Many from France sought anti-British policies
iii. Others were foreign agents who should have been expelled.
e. Alien Acts never enforced but some frighented foreign agitators left
3. Sedition Act
a. Anyone who impeded the policies of gov't or falsely defamed its officials, incl.
the president, would be liable to a heavy fine and imprisonment.
b. Direct violation of the 1st Amendment to the Constitution
-- Federalist Supreme Court not interested in declaring it unconstitutional.
c. Many outspoken Jeffersonian editors were indicted; 10 brought to trial & convicted
d. Law expired in 1801 the day before Adams left office.
-- Demonstrated dubious intentions of bill (in case a Federalist was not elected in
1800, Republicans would not have the Sedition Act to prosecute Federalists.)
4. Popular support for Alien and Sedition Acts significant
a. Anti-French hysteria played into the hands of the Federalists
b. Largest ever Federalist victory in 1798-99 congressional elections
5. Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (Jefferson and Madison)
a. Republicans convinced Alien and Sedition acts were unconstitutional
-- Process of deciding constitutionality of federal laws hitherto undefined
b. Jefferson & Madison secretly created a series of resolutions
-- As V.P. Jefferson in awkward position & feared prosecution from Sedition Act
c. Premise: States had the right to nullify unconstitutional laws passed by Congress
d. Aim not to break up the union but preserve it by protecting civil liberties.
-- Essentially campaign documents to defeat the Federalists
e. Compact theory
i. Popular among 17th c. English political philosophers (John Locke)
ii. 13 sovereign states created the federal gov't & had entered a "compact"
iii. Thus, national gov't was an agent or creation of the states.
iv. Nullification: Individual states were the final judges of whether a federal law was
constitutional.
f. Result:
i. No other states passed the Jefferson & Madison resolutions
ii. Federalists argued that the people, not the states, had made the original compact
-- Argued Supreme Court, not states, could nullify laws.
g. Significance: Later used by southerners to support nullification and ultimately secession
prior to Civil War.
IX. The Jefferson "Revolution of 1800"
A. Federalist handicaps
1. Federalist split over going to war with France biggest reason for Adam’s defeat
-- Hamilton and "High Federalists" openly broke from Adams for his refusal to fight
against France
2. Alien and Sedition Acts
3. Federalists swelled the debt in preparation for war with France.
-- New taxes (incl. a stamp tax) were levied to pay the costs.
4. Military preparations now seemed unnecessary
B. Federalist mudslinging accused Jefferson of:
1. being an atheist (Jefferson really a deist)
-- His success with separating church & state in Virginia incurred the wrath
of the orthodox clergy esp. in Congregationalist & Federalist New England.
2. robbing a widow and her children of a trust fund
3. fathering mulatto children by his own slave woman (note: in 1998, genetic
tests apparently proved that Jefferson had fathered at least one child from his slave
mistress, Sally Hemmings)
C. Jefferson defeats Adams: 73 to 65
1. Most support from South & West where universal manhood suffrage was adopted.
-- New York was the pivotal key: Aaron Burr narrowly turned NY to Jefferson
2. Yet, Jefferson tied with Burr, his V.P. running mate, for electoral votes
a. House of Representatives had to break the deadlock
b. Federalists wanted Burr; hated Jefferson
c. Eventually, a few anti-Burr Federalists, refrained from voting and Jefferson
became president (swayed by Hamilton; Burr now hates Hamilton)
3. Significance: Peaceful change of power was revolutionary
a. Transfer of power on a basis of an election that all parties accepted
b. Britain would not achieve the same stature for another generation.
X. The Federalist Legacy
A. Highest concentration of brains, talent, and ability in a party than any other in U.S. History.
-- Party of the elite
B. Built enduring political and financial foundations for the new gov't
-- Washington’s presidency and Hamilton’s financial plan
C. Diplomats kept the U.S. out of war and signed advantageous treaties with Br. Fr. & Sp.
D. Preserved democratic gains of the Revolution and fended off anarchy.
E. Opposition to party resulted in creation of two-party system.
F. Federalist demise a result its inability to adapt to changes
1. Westward movement dictated fresh policies
2. Unwilling to adjust and appeal to the common people.
Source : http://www.pointlomahigh.com/ourpages/auto/2010/8/5/42986614/0001%20THE%20FEDERALIST%20ERA%20student%20notes.doc
Web site link: http://www.pointlomahigh.com/
Google key word : The Federalists Era summary and notes file type : doc
Author : not indicated on the source document of the above text
If you are the author of the text above and you not agree to share your knowledge for teaching, research, scholarship (for fair use as indicated in the United States copyrigh low) please send us an e-mail and we will remove your text quickly.
The Federalists Era summary and notes
The Federalists Era (1789-1800)
Section 1
Establishing the New Government: George Washington took the oath of office, on April 30. 1789. John Adams a lawyer and patriot leader received the next largest vote and became the first Vice President.
House of Representatives were elected by the people, as they are elected today. Senators however, well chose by state legislatures- a practice that continued until an amendment in 1913.
The U.S. was a weak country. Its army was small, and it had no navy. The U.S. owed money, with no way of raising it. Washington’s task, he had no models to follow in his new job.
The Legislative Branch: members of the House of Representatives chose as speaker Fredrick Muhlenberg. According to the constitution, the Vice President is the official leader and president of the Senate.
Congress passes Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments describe the power and rights of American citizens.
The Executive Branch and Cabinet
Cabinet: advises who discusses action and policies. The first cabinet included several outstanding men.
Thomas Jefferson: Secretary of State
Henry Knox: Secretary of War
Alexander Hamilton: Secretary of the Treasury
Edmund Randolph: Attorney General
The Judicial Branch
Judiciary Act of 1789, this act stated that the Supreme Court should be made up of 1 chief justice and 5 associate justices. Washington appointed John Jay as the first Chief Justice.
National Debt: total amount a government owes on money it has borrowed.
Alexander Hamilton: Secretary of Treasury plan for dealing with the national debt, called for the federal government to pay the debts owed by both the nation and the states back.
Opposition to Hamilton’s Plan
Many Southerners notably James Madison did not like Hamilton’s plan. Most states in the South had paid off their debts. Southerners led by Jefferson opposed the plan also because they did not want to see the power of the state governments weakened by being dependent on the federal government.
The Bank of the United States: Another important part of Hamilton’s financial plan was a national bank.
He proposed four duties of the Bank:
- the bank would handle the federal governments money
- collect tax money
- issue paper money
- give out loans to help the growth of businesses
Taxes and Rebellions
Excise Tax: a tax placed on goods made, sold, and used within the country.
Tariffs: or taxes placed on certain manufactured goods brought into the country.
The Whiskey Rebellion
Farmers in Pennsylvania refused to pay for taxes placed on whiskey. President Washington responded angrily. He sent out the militia and the revolt was over.
Section 2 Dealing with other Nations
Challenges from other Nations: Great Britain still had forts in Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region. They continued to trade with the Native American allies and stir them up against the settlers.
The Battle of Fallen Timbers: crushed the Native Americans hopes of keeping their lands. They surrendered most of their land in present day Ohio to the settlers.
Pirates in Mediterranean: traders faced pirates from the states of the Barbary Coast of North Africa- Morocco, Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli. Pirates stole cargos seized by American ships and sailors. To sail safely, the U.S. had to pay tribute or protection money to local rulers.
Choosing Neutrality
In 1793 Great Britain and several other nations went to war against France. France now called the U.S. abides by the Treaty of Alliance of 1778. According to this treaty the two nations (US and France) would provide aid to each other in war. President Washington however wanted neutrality. After all ¾ of Americans trade was with Britain. Washington issued a Proclamation of Neutrality, stating the US would continue to trade with both France and Great Britain.
Challenges to Neutrality: both the French and British seized hundreds of American ships.
Imprisonment: British kidnapped American sailors to serve in the British army.
Agreement with Great Britain: Washington sent John Jay to negotiated peace with Britain. The British did not want to lose American trade or see US allied with France.
Jay Treaty: Britain agrees to withdraw from its forts in the Northwest. It also allowed American merchant ships to trade in British West Indies. A major disappointment in Jay’s treaty- the British had not promised to stop seizing American ships or kidnapping American sailors.
Pinckney Treaty: too keep friendly ties with United States, Spain allowed American ships to use the lower Mississippi and trade through the port of New Orleans.
Washington leaves office: During Washington’s two terms of office he established a firm foundation for new national government. Many people encouraged Washington to seek another term; he was tired of public office.
Section 3 Political Parties Develop
Political party: is a group of people with similar ideas and beliefs about government.
Federalists: led by Alexander Hamilton believed in strong federal government.
Democratic-Republican: led by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson- states rights.
Differences between the first Political Parties
Federalist leader Alexander Hamilton:
- Rule by wealth and educated
- Strong federal government
- Emphasis manufacturing
- Loose interpretation of constitution
- Pro-British, anti-French
- National Bank
- Protective tariffs
Democratic-Republicans leader Thomas Jefferson:
- Rule by the people
- Strong state government
- Emphasis agriculture product
- Strict interpretation of the constitution
- Pro-French, anti-British
- State Banks
- Free trade
In the 1790 the US was overwhelmingly a farming nation. Small farmers made up 90% of the population.
Politics Dominate the Election of 1796
The Federalists: supported John Adams for President and Thomas Pinckney for Vice President.
The Democratic-Republicans: supported Thomas Jefferson for President and Aaron Burr for Vice President.
John Adams had the most votes and Thomas Jefferson had second highest. So this meant the President and Vice President came from opposing parties.
Section 4 Troubled times for John Adams
Problems with France: French shops stopped the American ships and seized our cargo. Adams sent three delegates to Paris to up the peace terms. The American agents were met by three French agents. The French agents demanded a bribe of $250,000, just to talk and a loan of about $10,000,000 be paid to the prime minister.
The XYZ Affair: the French agents were known as XYZ. The XYZ made many people even angrier with France it brought the two countries to war.
A popular slogan was millions for Defense but not one cent for tribute. Congress quickly voted to enlarge the US army and navy. Soon America warships were engaging an undeclared navel war with France.
Frances new leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, was at war with Britain and did not want US as an enemy too.
Convention of 1800: France and U.S. agreed on terms for peace.
During Adams administration, Congress passed four laws:
- Naturalization Act: increased the number of years from 5 to 14 years to become a citizen
- Alien Act: gave the President power to imprison or deport any foreigner
- The Alien Enemies Act: U.S. government could arrest and deport all aliens who were aliens of foreign nations at war with the U.S.
- Sedition Act: this law made it a crime to speak or write critically about the President, member of Congress and federal Government. The purpose was to stop criticism of government.
Federalists lose power: By 1800 the Federalists had lost support of many people. Adams stand on peace with France split his own political party. Hamilton and other federalists refused to support Adams as their Presidential candidate. At the same time, Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans were gaining support. In many people’s mind Jefferson stood for more liberty, and less government.
The Election of 1800: The Democratic-Republicans had won. But who was President, Jefferson or Burr. Both had 73 elected votes. The vote went to the House of Representatives, where Jefferson won.
Amending the Constitution: to avoid another tie the 12th amendment was passed in 1804. This amendment calls for electors to vote on separate ballots to elect President and Vice President. “Midnight Judges"
Source : http://lehijr.alpineschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/U.S.-History-Chapter-10.doc
Web site link: http://lehijr.alpineschools.org
Google key word : The Federalists Era summary and notes file type : doc
Author : not indicated on the source document of the above text
If you are the author of the text above and you not agree to share your knowledge for teaching, research, scholarship (for fair use as indicated in the United States copyrigh low) please send us an e-mail and we will remove your text quickly.
The Federalists Era summary and notes
If you want to quickly find the pages about a particular topic as The Federalists Era summary and notes use the following search engine:
The Federalists Era summary and notes
Please visit our home page
Larapedia.com Terms of service and privacy page