The Federalists in Charge

Washington in Charge Washington governed the American people for 8 years (1789-1797) and served as a symbol of national unity In his farewell speech, Washington warned the people against political parties However, after Washington left the presidency, the people chose political parties Foreign policy relations with the government of other countries Washington urged the Americans to remain neutral when it comes to foreign policy; “steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.” It was this advice that the American people took from Washington’s presidency

The Growth of Political Parties Americans were deeply divided over how the nation should be run They disagreed with how to interpret the Constitution and economic policy The arguments were Hamilton vs. Jefferson/Madison Hamilton’s Policies Hamilton wanted a strong central government Wanted a nation in which trade, manufacturing, and cities grew Hamilton’s political ideas came to form the political party known as the Federalists Many Northern merchants and manufacturers joined the Federalists Jefferson/Madison’s Policies J/M feared that a strong central government would make a tyranny Wanted a nation that prospered from planters and farmers J/M’s political ideas formed the Democratic-Republican party Many farmers and workers were drawn to this political party

Growth of Political Parties cont. Political parties a group of people that tries to promote its ideas and influence government Federalists Democratic-Republicans Strong national government Limited national government Fear of mob rule Fear of rule by one person or a powerful few Loose construction (interpretation) of the Constitution Strict construction (interpretation) of the Constitution Favored a national bank Opposed a national bank Economy based on manufacturing and shipping Economy based on farming Supporters: lawyers, merchants, manufacturers, clergy Supporters: farmers, tradespeople

John Adams Takes Office The Federalist chose John Adam’s, Washington’s Vice President Qualifications for President: Experienced public servant Leader during the Revolution At the Continental Congress Diplomat for France, Netherlands, and Britain The Democrat-Republicans chose Jefferson The Constitution stated that the runner-up in the presidential race, would become the vice president Adams became the president with Jefferson as his VP **Adams became the 1st President to govern from the nation’s new capital: Washington D.C.**

Problems with France Relations between France and the United States were very tense Britain and France were at war with one another, but the French began taking American ships making it impossible to trade with Britain Some of the Federalist wanted to call war on France; President Adams did not want to call war Instead he sent three men to meet with the Prime Minister of France Charles Pinckney, Elbridge Gerry, and John Marshall They met with 3 French agents – X, Y, Z – met with the Americans and told them that the only way they could meet to discuss the foreign affairs would be by paying $10 million to France and then $250,000 to the Prime Minister XYZ Affair  a 1797 incident in which French officials demanded a bribe from U.S. diplomats Congress cancelled all treaties with France, and then began taking French ships

Alien and Sedition Acts The relations with France, caused problems between the two parties; they called each other names and laid the blame on the others for what was happening between France Democrat-Republicans called Adam the “tyrant of America” In turn Adams, blamed the Democrat-Republican newspapers and the new immigrants To silence the criticisms, he passed a law known as the Alien and Sedition Act Alien & Sedition Act  these acts targeted aliens, people who were not yet citizens; 1) increased the waiting time to become a citizen from 5 to 14 years, 2) the president can arrest disloyal aliens or 3) order them out of the country in times of war, 4) outlawing any saying or writing that goes against the government (sedition) Under this act, many people were thrown into jail and many Democratic-Republican editors were charged

Alien and Sedition Acts cont. States’ Rights  states had the rights that the government could not violate Jefferson and Madison were looking for ways to nullify (take away the negativity) of the Alien and Sedition Acts They did so by creating the Virginia Resolutions  the states could interpose, or place itself between, the federal government and its citizens They said that the Alien & Sedition Acts violated the rights of the Constitution No other states supported the Resolutions, but soon the Democrat- Republicans took control over the Congress, and let the acts

Peace with France Coming to the end of his term as president, Adams opened talk with France again Signed the Convention of 1800 which stopped all naval attacks The Federalists did not like what Adams did; it saved America from war, but it lost Adams his second term Jefferson became the third president of the United States