The Founding of AmericaThe Founding of America

The Great ExperimentThe Great Experiment

1776, big year for America1776, big year for America

• A resolution makes it through A resolution makes it through Congress declaring Congress declaring independence leaving the independence leaving the questions of where to go and questions of where to go and what kind of government to what kind of government to set up.set up.

• Congress seeks alliances and look to Congress seeks alliances and look to France.France.

• France doesn’t want to be on the side France doesn’t want to be on the side that loses so they are waiting to see which that loses so they are waiting to see which way the wind blows. way the wind blows.

• The American idea of government is The American idea of government is radical and those watching viewed it as a radical and those watching viewed it as a form that was not possible to work.form that was not possible to work.

• Establishing a new Establishing a new government, the Articles are government, the Articles are adopted. adopted. • The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation

establish a relationship of establish a relationship of convenience between states. convenience between states.

There are two sides to the government debate. There are two sides to the government debate.

• The Federalists push for a strong federal The Federalists push for a strong federal central government. central government.

• The Nationalist fear chaos and The Nationalist fear chaos and breakdown of social order and are afraid breakdown of social order and are afraid of government becoming too strong. of government becoming too strong.

The Articles were the compromise. The Articles were the compromise.

• For sovereignty to work it is necessary to have For sovereignty to work it is necessary to have the power to fight and pay for it. the power to fight and pay for it.

• The Articles established government and got The Articles established government and got the ball rolling on independence, but the the ball rolling on independence, but the executive committee style government had no executive committee style government had no power to force the states to contribute funds power to force the states to contribute funds for support. for support.

• It would require unanimous action to pass. It would require unanimous action to pass. Maryland is the holdout until 1781.Maryland is the holdout until 1781.

• The French, in 1781, decide to join the effort for The French, in 1781, decide to join the effort for American independenceAmerican independence

• This got the attention of England and drew their This got the attention of England and drew their attention to other areas. attention to other areas.

• England wanted to keep colonial possessions and England wanted to keep colonial possessions and Spain wanted Gibraltar back (now there’s a Spain wanted Gibraltar back (now there’s a problem that won’t go away), and lands in the problem that won’t go away), and lands in the West. West.

• The US just wanted to be recognized as The US just wanted to be recognized as independent. independent.

• The basic issue of the new The basic issue of the new government, $$$. Finance. government, $$$. Finance. • There was also the question of There was also the question of

what to do with the army after what to do with the army after the war. the war. –Maintain? Discharge?Maintain? Discharge?

• The US was faced with how to finance the war. The The US was faced with how to finance the war. The solution of choice was to create debt, two forms of solution of choice was to create debt, two forms of domestic and one foreign. The American Congress domestic and one foreign. The American Congress creates wealth the easy way, they print it…over $200 creates wealth the easy way, they print it…over $200 million, resulting in massive inflation with no specie to million, resulting in massive inflation with no specie to back it up. The obvious means of fixing this problem of back it up. The obvious means of fixing this problem of debt, borrow money. Bonds, certificates…consider it debt, borrow money. Bonds, certificates…consider it an IOU as the army passes through they took what an IOU as the army passes through they took what they needed and left a certificate in return, not really a they needed and left a certificate in return, not really a golden ticket for those who lost goods. Congress was golden ticket for those who lost goods. Congress was also able to borrow money abroad with France, Spain, also able to borrow money abroad with France, Spain, and Holland. and Holland.

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• sometimes referred to as the father of sometimes referred to as the father of the national debtthe national debt

• he was a native of the British West Indieshe was a native of the British West Indies• some doubted his loyalty to the some doubted his loyalty to the

American cause, or the republican American cause, or the republican experimentexperiment

• his area of expertise…econ/financehis area of expertise…econ/finance

Ideas of HamiltonIdeas of Hamilton• ““He sought to transform the American people into free, He sought to transform the American people into free,

opulent, and law-abiding citizens, through the instrumentality opulent, and law-abiding citizens, through the instrumentality of a limited republican government, on the basis of consent, of a limited republican government, on the basis of consent, and in the face of powerful vested interests in the status quo”and in the face of powerful vested interests in the status quo”

• considered a social revolutionconsidered a social revolution• strive for money to define value and standing and be the strive for money to define value and standing and be the

universal measureuniversal measure• reward industriousnessreward industriousness• believed free government preferable to monarchy because it believed free government preferable to monarchy because it

excited people more…”interested passions of the community” excited people more…”interested passions of the community” leading to “public spirit and public confidence” leading to “public spirit and public confidence”

Goals of HamiltonGoals of Hamilton• correct economic failings of the Articles of correct economic failings of the Articles of

Confederation by shaping fiscal policies to favor Confederation by shaping fiscal policies to favor wealthier groupswealthier groups

• He hoped these groups would lend the gov’t money He hoped these groups would lend the gov’t money and support which would in turn lead to a thriving new and support which would in turn lead to a thriving new gov’t, increased land owner wealth, and create a gov’t, increased land owner wealth, and create a trickle down effecttrickle down effect

• He encouraged the fed gov’t to fund the nat’l debt and He encouraged the fed gov’t to fund the nat’l debt and assume the debts of the states in hopes that it would assume the debts of the states in hopes that it would tie the states to the fed gov’t, therefore gaining tie the states to the fed gov’t, therefore gaining support of the rich who would have a compelling support of the rich who would have a compelling interest in nat’l success. interest in nat’l success.

• He believed debt would be a cohesive He believed debt would be a cohesive element for wealthy society and the nat’l element for wealthy society and the nat’l gov’t.gov’t.

• Operating money for the gov’t was to come Operating money for the gov’t was to come from customs duties (tariff) which was from customs duties (tariff) which was dependent upon foreign trade. dependent upon foreign trade.

• He was a proponent of industrialism and He was a proponent of industrialism and hoped the industrial revolution would hit hoped the industrial revolution would hit America, which was still predominantly America, which was still predominantly agricultural.agricultural.

What else is Hamilton known for?What else is Hamilton known for?• National bank (modeled after bank of England) National bank (modeled after bank of England) • Hamilton proposed a private institution w/ the Hamilton proposed a private institution w/ the

nat’l gov’t as major stockholder. nat’l gov’t as major stockholder. • Jefferson went into a tizzy here b/c he did not feel Jefferson went into a tizzy here b/c he did not feel

a nat’l bank was authorized by the constitution. a nat’l bank was authorized by the constitution. – Jefferson was a supporter of strict interpretation.Jefferson was a supporter of strict interpretation.– Hamilton was more like a teenager, meaning, if you Hamilton was more like a teenager, meaning, if you

dont say I cant do it then that means I can. Hamilton dont say I cant do it then that means I can. Hamilton believed what the Constitution did not directly forbid, believed what the Constitution did not directly forbid, it allowed. it allowed. • (loose interpretation, using “necessary and proper” (loose interpretation, using “necessary and proper”

clause.)clause.)

ComparisonComparison

Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson

HamiltonHamilton• FederalistFederalist• Treasury SecretaryTreasury Secretary• Had agreement of Washington with regard to broaden economy and strengthen Had agreement of Washington with regard to broaden economy and strengthen

national government for purpose of national growth.national government for purpose of national growth.• Concerned with development of material resources to make nation self-sufficientConcerned with development of material resources to make nation self-sufficient• Tended to favor Great Britain in foreign affairsTended to favor Great Britain in foreign affairs• Pressed for larger regular army as a means of expanding the power of national Pressed for larger regular army as a means of expanding the power of national

government (justified by need to deal with Indians)government (justified by need to deal with Indians)• Implied powers proponentImplied powers proponent• Believed corruption of government is what makes it workBelieved corruption of government is what makes it work• Commercial, not agrarianCommercial, not agrarian• Pushed the Alien and Sedition ActsPushed the Alien and Sedition Acts• During Era of Good Feelings his ideas take hold (develop military, internal During Era of Good Feelings his ideas take hold (develop military, internal

improvement, charter national bank)improvement, charter national bank)

JeffersonJefferson• JeffersonianJeffersonian• Secretary of StateSecretary of State• Cautious about enhancing power of federal governmentCautious about enhancing power of federal government• Favored yeomen farmerFavored yeomen farmer• Sympathized with FrenchSympathized with French• Policies continued that of Washington with westward Policies continued that of Washington with westward

expansion (Irony is the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson was expansion (Irony is the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson was dedicated to strict interpretation of Presidential powers but dedicated to strict interpretation of Presidential powers but seized the opportunity to double the size of the US with seized the opportunity to double the size of the US with purchase of LA.)purchase of LA.)

• Explicit powers, strict interpretation of ConstitutionExplicit powers, strict interpretation of Constitution• AgrarianAgrarian• Jeffersonian Republicanism: self-sufficiency. If everyone is Jeffersonian Republicanism: self-sufficiency. If everyone is

independent they are likely to behave in a manner that will independent they are likely to behave in a manner that will sustain the republic.sustain the republic.

The WinnerThe Winner

• Alexander Hamilton, father of the national Alexander Hamilton, father of the national debt. America develops a national bank, debt. America develops a national bank, develops on credit, establishes a standing develops on credit, establishes a standing army, US still allies with Britain, and continues army, US still allies with Britain, and continues on the path of governmental corruption.on the path of governmental corruption.

• Ultimately Hamilton was more convincing and Ultimately Hamilton was more convincing and Washington allowed the bank. The US was Washington allowed the bank. The US was eventually extended credit by the Netherlands eventually extended credit by the Netherlands and the credit debt begins. Although some and the credit debt begins. Although some consider Hamilton successful, others believed consider Hamilton successful, others believed his fiscal policies created an infringement on his fiscal policies created an infringement on states rights. Opposition begins to develop states rights. Opposition begins to develop and political parties are in the works.and political parties are in the works.

Back to “The Great Experiment”Back to “The Great Experiment”

• Now the question was what to do with this Now the question was what to do with this debt during the war. Remember, Hamilton debt during the war. Remember, Hamilton thought debt was a good unifying element for thought debt was a good unifying element for the country. Nothing like collectors knocking the country. Nothing like collectors knocking on the door to strengthen the household on the door to strengthen the household right? In this case, consider the collectors right? In this case, consider the collectors family because they have a compelling family because they have a compelling interest in seeing the new government work. interest in seeing the new government work.

• The other issue at hand…the guys with guns The other issue at hand…the guys with guns wanted to be paid for their service…the army wanted to be paid for their service…the army was not happy with the situation.was not happy with the situation.

Robert MorrisRobert Morris

• Robert Morris will step in with a solution. He Robert Morris will step in with a solution. He is a nationalist wanting order, and to establish is a nationalist wanting order, and to establish order and sound government there must be order and sound government there must be income. income.

• He proposes a duty (1781) on imported goods He proposes a duty (1781) on imported goods and gets it through Congress, with Rhode and gets it through Congress, with Rhode Island holding out. Island holding out.

Hamilton pushes for moreHamilton pushes for more

• Excise tax on whiskeyExcise tax on whiskey– Sales taxSales tax– Small frontier farmers produced most of the Small frontier farmers produced most of the

nation’s whiskeynation’s whiskey– They were very angry over the tax and attacked They were very angry over the tax and attacked

collectorscollectors

Whiskey RebellionWhiskey Rebellion

A SHOW OF FORCE• To show that

the federal government could enforce law in the frontier federal troops were sent to put down the rebellion.

Foreign Affairs Trouble the NationForeign Affairs Trouble the Nation

US ResponseUS Response

Early foreign policy problems…Early foreign policy problems…

• 1789- French overthrew their monarchy1789- French overthrew their monarchy• French went to war against BritainFrench went to war against Britain• US had a treaty with France, but still a young US had a treaty with France, but still a young

nation that is learning to walk on its own.nation that is learning to walk on its own.– Democratic-Republicans want to honor treaty and Democratic-Republicans want to honor treaty and

support Francesupport France– Federalists want to back the British (trade issue)Federalists want to back the British (trade issue)

Washington decided Washington decided the nation should the nation should

remain neutralremain neutral

Edmond GenetEdmond Genet• Angered Washington by coming to Angered Washington by coming to

America as a French diplomat and America as a French diplomat and seeking American support for the seeking American support for the French cause. French cause.

• Genet’s actions did not support Genet’s actions did not support American neutrality and did not American neutrality and did not follow diplomatic protocolfollow diplomatic protocol

SpainSpain

• US and Spain worked to negotiate an US and Spain worked to negotiate an agreement over lands west of the Appalachian agreement over lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. Mountains.

• US wanted to secure land claims west of the US wanted to secure land claims west of the Appalachians and secure shipping rights on Appalachians and secure shipping rights on the Mississippi River.the Mississippi River.

Pinckney’s Treaty (1795)Pinckney’s Treaty (1795)aka The Treaty of San Lorenzoaka The Treaty of San Lorenzo

• Negotiated by US Ambassador Thomas PickneyNegotiated by US Ambassador Thomas Pickney• Spain gave up its claims to land east of the Spain gave up its claims to land east of the

Mississippi River. (excluding Florida)Mississippi River. (excluding Florida)• Spain recognized the northern boundary of Spain recognized the northern boundary of

Florida and southern boundary of the US as the Florida and southern boundary of the US as the 3131stst Parallel Parallel

• Spain also agreed to open the Mississippi River to Spain also agreed to open the Mississippi River to American traffic and allow use of the port at New American traffic and allow use of the port at New Orleans. Orleans.

Native Americans Resist White Settlers

How did How did US US

expansion expansion affect affect Native Native

Americans?Americans?

• With westward expansion, even before Pinckney’s treaty, settlers were encroaching on Native American lands.

• A major area of settlement was the Northwest Territory (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.)

Battle of Fallen TimbersBattle of Fallen Timbers

• 1790- Little Turtle (Chieftain of the Miami 1790- Little Turtle (Chieftain of the Miami Tribe) defeated American troops as they Tribe) defeated American troops as they fought for control of what would become fought for control of what would become Ohio.Ohio.

• 1794 American General Anthony Wayne 1794 American General Anthony Wayne defeated the Miami Confederacy which led to defeated the Miami Confederacy which led to the end of the Native American resistance in the end of the Native American resistance in OhioOhio

Jay TreatyJay Treaty

• Trouble in westward settlement was not Trouble in westward settlement was not only from the natives there it was also only from the natives there it was also from the British who maintained forts in from the British who maintained forts in the area.the area.

• Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Jay, was sent to negotiate with John Jay, was sent to negotiate with England.England.

Jay’s instructions: (213)Jay’s instructions: (213)• Convince British to evacuate their forts in Convince British to evacuate their forts in

the westthe west• Pay for African American slaves who had left Pay for African American slaves who had left

with their army after the Revolutionwith their army after the Revolution• End impressmentEnd impressment• Open the British West Indies trade to Open the British West Indies trade to

American shipsAmerican ships• Compensate recent shipping losses in the Compensate recent shipping losses in the

CaribbeanCaribbean

Jay TreatyJay Treaty

• The British agreed to give up their forts in the The British agreed to give up their forts in the Northwest Territory, payments for confiscated Northwest Territory, payments for confiscated ships in the Caribbean, and the opening of ships in the Caribbean, and the opening of trade in the British West Indies to American trade in the British West Indies to American vessels (with restrictions)vessels (with restrictions)

• Jay agreed that American shippers would not Jay agreed that American shippers would not export from the US certain tropical products export from the US certain tropical products and that Americans would repay British and that Americans would repay British creditors for prerevolutionary debts.creditors for prerevolutionary debts.

Jay Treaty did not solve the problem of British harassment.

Washington bids farewell.Washington bids farewell.

• Condemned political partiesCondemned political parties• Warned of entangling alliancesWarned of entangling alliances• Established precedent of Established precedent of

Presidents serving only two Presidents serving only two termsterms–Broken by FDR in 20Broken by FDR in 20thth Century Century

John AdamsJohn Adams

Second President

John AdamsJohn Adams

• Attorney from MassachusettsAttorney from Massachusetts• Served as diplomat to France Served as diplomat to France

during the American Revolutionduring the American Revolution• Washington’s Vice President Washington’s Vice President • FederalistFederalist

Election of 1796

Jefferson• Democratic-

Republican• Came in 2nd

• Vice President to Adams

Adams

• Federalist• Won majority

of electoral votes• President

XYZ Affair

United States delegation

• Charles Pinckney• John Marshall• Elbridge Gerry

French X, Y, Z individuals

• Jean Conrad Hottinguer

• Pierre Bellamy• Lucien Hauteval

XYZ AffairXYZ Affair

• French angered by the American Treaty with England French angered by the American Treaty with England (Jay’s Treaty)(Jay’s Treaty)

• Adams sent diplomats to France in hopes of avoiding Adams sent diplomats to France in hopes of avoiding warwar

• French foreign ministers refused to meet with the USFrench foreign ministers refused to meet with the US• Three individuals (X, Y, Z) met with the United States Three individuals (X, Y, Z) met with the United States

officials and told Americans they could meet with the officials and told Americans they could meet with the French if they paid $250, 000French if they paid $250, 000– Americans refused to pay the bribeAmericans refused to pay the bribe– Resulted in the spread of anti-French sentiment across Resulted in the spread of anti-French sentiment across

the country.the country.

Quasi-WarQuasi-War

• Americans fought French in Americans fought French in the Caribbeanthe Caribbean• No declaration of warNo declaration of war–Adams built up the military, Adams built up the military,

and a full scale war seemed and a full scale war seemed at handat hand

• Some Americans were insulted and called for Some Americans were insulted and called for warwar

• Adams chose diplomacy and sent new Adams chose diplomacy and sent new negotiators to France, led by William Murraynegotiators to France, led by William Murray• Treaty of Mortefontaine (1800)Treaty of Mortefontaine (1800)–Terminated the alliance that had existed Terminated the alliance that had existed

and settled hostilitiesand settled hostilities–Being at war with England, the French did Being at war with England, the French did

not want to bother with the United States, not want to bother with the United States, nor have them join the Britishnor have them join the British

– Some praised Adams for his handling of the Some praised Adams for his handling of the XYZ Affair, but he also had his criticsXYZ Affair, but he also had his critics

– Led to the view of Republicans as a threat Led to the view of Republicans as a threat to the nation and a distrust of immigrants to the nation and a distrust of immigrants because of their activity within the because of their activity within the Republican party.Republican party.

Alien and Sedition Acts 1798Alien and Sedition Acts 1798

• President could expel any foreigner President could expel any foreigner determined to be a threat to the determined to be a threat to the nationnation• Foreigners could be deported or Foreigners could be deported or

jailed by President during wartimejailed by President during wartime• Residency for citizenship was Residency for citizenship was

increased from 5 to 14 yearsincreased from 5 to 14 years

Alien and Sedition Acts 1798Alien and Sedition Acts 1798

• Limited Free SpeechLimited Free Speech–Illegal to speak out against the Illegal to speak out against the

President or GovernmentPresident or Government• Aimed at war critics, such as Aimed at war critics, such as

newspapersnewspapers

Violation of First AmendmentViolation of First Amendment

Alien and Sedition Acts: Impact

Federalists

• Viewed war at home was inevitable and could break out at any time

Jeffersonians• It reinforced their distrust

of a strong central government and was proof that individual liberties would suffer if the national government was allowed to retain considerable power.

Alien and Sedition Acts 1798Alien and Sedition Acts 1798

• Madison and Jefferson wrote the Kentucky Madison and Jefferson wrote the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutionsand Virginia Resolutions– Argued the laws were void because they were Argued the laws were void because they were

unconstitutional and insisted that states had the unconstitutional and insisted that states had the right to refuse to follow them.right to refuse to follow them.

– Idea: the principle of nullificationIdea: the principle of nullification• If the government oversteps its bounds then the states If the government oversteps its bounds then the states

can refuse to followcan refuse to follow