Creating the “Virtuous Republic”

The Presidencies of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson

1789-1803

Creating the “Virtuous Republic”

1. Govt. gets its authority from the citizens.

2. A selfless, educated citizenry.3. Elections should be frequent.4. Govt. should guarantee

individual rights & freedoms.5. Govt.’s power should be

limited [checks & balances].6. The need for a written

Constitution.7. “E Pluribus Unum.” [“Out of

many, one”]8. An important role for women

raise good, virtuous citizens.[“Republican Womanhood”].

Classic

al

view of

a model

republic

EnlightenmentThinking

The“VirtuousRepublic”

Ideal citizen

[Cincinnatus]“City on a hill”

[John Winthrop]

Washington is elected

Asked to serve as president in 1789

Reluctant leader

Judiciary Act of 1789 Why?

Needed to define court system established by Constitution.

Supreme Court Chief Justice 5 associates

3 Federal Circuit Courts

13 federal district courts

Section 25 Allowed State court decisions to appeal to federal courts

Cabinet 3 initial Departments

State: Foreign Affairs

Thomas Jefferson

War: Military Affairs Henry Knox

Treasury: Financial Affairs Alexander Hamilton

Cabinet Members

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

Hamilton’s Views Jefferson’s ViewsConcentrate power in federal

governmentShare power with state &

local governmentRepublic led by a well

educated fewDemocracy of virtuous

farmers & trades peopleLoose interpretation of

ConstitutionStrict interpretation of

ConstitutionFavors National Bank Anti-National Bank

Later called Dem.-Republicans

Today’s Democrats

Bank of the United States

Controversial!

Tied wealthy investors to government

Opponents stated the Constitution had no provision to allow government to create Bank

“Loose” vs. “Strict”

“Elastic Clause” (pg 158) Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18

Hamilton’s Economic Plan

Resolve Debt 2/3 Federal:

Foreign & Private Citizens War Bonds 1/3 State

Pay Off Foreign Debt

Assume State’s Debts Needed State support for government

Issue New Bonds to pay Citizens Back

Debt Bill Southern states upset most had paid back debt did

not want to pay taxes to pay off Northern debt

Compromise to allow Hamilton’s economic plan to pass

Capital moved to Washington, DC to get southern states to agree to Debt bill

Foreign Relations 1. The French Revolution

Views: Democrat Republicans Federalists President Washington

Jefferson resigns his post in 1793

2. Spain Pickney’s Treaty

3. England The Jay Treaty

Whiskey Rebellion 2 causes

Protective Tariff instituted on imported goods from Europe

Excise Tax on domestic manufactured whiskey

Effect Western frontiersmen rebel Were met by 15,000 militia men led by Washington

& Hamilton Demonstrated Federal Government’s power

Issues with Native Americans

Battle of Fallen Timbers, 1792

Treaty of Grenville

John Adams1796-1800

Election of 1796 Washington does

not run for a 3rd term

The issue of the 1796 election

Early Troubles for a New Nation

Domestic ForeignJudiciary Act 1789 Pickney Treaty w/ Spain

Eliminating Debt Battle of Fallen Timbers

Establishing a National Bank Jay’s Treaty

Whiskey Rebellion XYZ Affair

Creation of 2-party politics Alien & Sedition Acts

“XYZ” Affair - 1798 Jay Treaty leads to increased tensions with France

Adams sends 3 diplomats to French foreign minister Instead, diplomats see 3 low-level officials Adams refers to as

“Agent X, Y, Z” in report to Congress Diplomats demand $250,000 to see Foreign Minister

Scandal becomes known as XYZ Affair

Effect: Great Anti-French sentiments Creation of Navy department George Washington comes out of retirement to head 50,000 troops Alien & Sedition Acts -1798

Alien & Sedition Acts vs. Virginia & Kentucky Resolution

Alien & Sedition Acts Raised residence acts for American citizenship to

14 years President could deport any undesirable Set fines/jail terms for anyone expressing “false,

scandalous, or malicious statements” against government

Virginia & Kentucky Resolution were reaction Allowed state governments to nullify – consider

void – any act of Congress they felt unconstitutional

Thomas Jefferson

1800-1810

Election of 1800 Adams & Pinckney

(Federalists)

Jefferson & Burr (Dem.-Republicans)

Dem.-Republicans win However, Jefferson &

Burr tie with electoral votes

Expose Flaw in system

Election of 1800 Tally

Jefferson

Burr

Adams

Pinckney

Jay

Effects of Election of 1800

2 distinct political parties

12th Amendment Electors cast separate ballots for president & vice-

president

Defined American political system still used today

Jeffersonian Presidency

Simplifying the presidency

Reduced the government Cut costs Reduced army & navy Eliminated internal taxes Reduced role of National bank

Favored Free Trade

Replaced Federalist judges with Dem-Repub ones

Foreign Policy

Marbury vs. Madison - 1803

Result of Judiciary Act of 1801 Adams packed court w/ Midnight Judges

Why? Supreme Court ruled “Midnight Judges” were

unconstitutional Why?

Set precedent of judicial review What is this?

Louisiana Purchase Causes:

Spain gives land to France France decides not to pursue American empire Napoleon sells land for 15 million

Effects: Doubles America’s size Lewis & Clark appointed to lead expedition of

new territory

Louisiana Purchase

Louisiana Purchase doubled US size Lewis & Clark exploration

Publicity Stunt Gone Wrong

Burr challenges Hamilton to a duel Long standing hatred of each other July 11, 1804, Burr and Hamilton toss dice to

see who goes first Hamilton shoots, but shoots in the air Burr shoots Hamilton right in the chest

Hamilton’s death further weakens the Federalist Party presence in Congress