1. A New Nation Beginnings of the United States of America

2. Money Money Money  After the war, we had a $54 million national debt Had to pay soldier, bonds, state governments and loans to foreign countries  Alexander Hamilton was the first secretary of the treasury  Creates a national bank (chartered for 20 years)  Debate between strict constructionalists and loose constructionalists

3. Whiskey Rebellion  Hamilton to collect money also taxes liquor  Upsets farmers (particularly in western PA—we do love our alcohol here huh? ) We began to terrorize the tax collectors and burned anything in sight Refuse to pay the tax  It took 13,000 militiamen to put down the rebellion

4. The Beginning of Political Parties  Democratic- Republicans Mainly from rural South and West Felt that less government intervention was best Thomas Jefferson  Federalists Mainly from commercial centers in the Northeast Favored a stronger national government Alexander Hamilton

5. The Big Cheese  Our first president (officially): George Washington  Thought it was important to have ALL views represented Selected his Cabinet to include people from different parties and ideas Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and John Adams as his VP

6. Precedents...not presidents  1. Advised the country to avoid entanglements with other countries, particularly the French Felt we were too weak and would destroy our newly formed country The French were MAD!!!!  2. He only served 2 terms No limit at this point Begged to stay but wanted to show this was a PRESIDENCY and not a MONARCHY  3. Farewell Address Warned country to stay away from political parties Feared they would do little good and instead turn countrymen against one another  How true, how true

7. VP  During our early years, simply the runner up in the presidential race John Adams, Thomas Jefferson...all became VP’s this way

8. XYZ....not ABC  XYZ Affair France was blocking our ships from trading with the British Also kept our soldiers as spies To stop blockade and return soldiers, they asked for a $250,000 bribe (agents who asked were referred to as “X” “Y” and “Z” to remain anonymous The public found out, was outraged, and hated the French Alien and Sedition Acts passed to crush opposition (and in the process Democratic-Republican newspapers as well)

9. War of 1812  After our revolution, British ships were taking American ships as prizes of war and impressing (to take as a slave/spy/sailor—it means to force to work) American sailors  Also kept many forts in North America...making many Americans nervous  Both political parties wanted war (DR because of Indian problems in the frontier due to British instigating and the Federalists because of shipping problems)  “War Hawks”: Henry Clay and John Calhoun pushed to declare war on Britain

10. The War (continued)  War declared  British retaliate by burning Washington D.C. (the newly built capital) Famously, Dolly Madison (the first lady), ran back to the White House to save many burning documents and letters  War came to stalemate...Treaty of Ghent signed to officially end it  Most important effect: The US proved it was a nation here to stay and not be taken back by the British National Anthem written by Francis Scott Key in Baltimore Harbor while trapped on a British ship— think about it