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