Challenges to the New Republic ( )

 I can analyze and explain the major domestic and foreign crises that faced the United States after the ratification of the Constitution.

 The “Father of Our Country” he set many national precedents.  First Cabinet: Jefferson – Sec. State, Hamilton -Sec. Treasury, & Know –Sec. War and E. Randolph was Att. Gen. 1 st VP was John Adams.  NYC – population 30,000. Rented a 3-story mansion. 7 Slaves and 14 hired servants. $25 K a year. Wore his sword in public. People worshiped him.

 One of Congress’ first acts was to place a tariff of 5% on imports; but it wasn’t enough for the large national debt. We had bad credit as a nation. He favored taxation & paying off state debts and $$$ for bonds sold during the war to improved our credit rating & gain confidence of the wealthy. Why?  Hamilton wanted a large National Bank (the Bank of the U.S. in 1792) to put the people’s taxes in. There were almost no banks in the U.S.  He wanted stable economy, strong defense, no national debt and a way to regulate state and local banks.

 The Federalists – Led by Hamilton; believed in a loose interpretation of Constitution and a powerful national gov’t.  Democratic-Republicans – Led by Jefferson wanted a strict interpretation of Constitution and said the National Bank was unconstitutional and was worried about the rights of the people.  Both men said the “necessary & proper clause” or elastic clause backed their positions!  Washington sided with Hamilton and the bank was established and quickly restored the nations credit and financial health.

 The French Revolution ( ) created problems for the U.S.  1793 – Britain & France at war again.  G.W. said the U.S. was neutral in spite of the 1778 treaty with France. Were we? No. Many followed the advice of Citizen Genet and practiced piracy vs. British ships & encouraged attacks on Spanish FL and LA.  Britain began seizing U.S. ships and impressing U.S. sailors into service. France ultimately did the same as both wanted exclusive trade rights with U.S.  Jay’s Treaty 1794 – British gave up forts on American side of Great Lakes, but kept restrictions on U.S. shipping/ trade. War was avoided, but many thought we were bullied by Britain. GW knew time was on our side?

 W. Pennsylvania farmers protested against a 25% tax on whiskey & threatened Pittsburg.  Farmers distilled their corn because whiskey was cheaper and easier to ship over bad roads.  G.W. called up 12,900 militia and the rebellion “disappeared.” Why?

 Americans forces under General “Mad Anthony” Wayne defeat alliance of Native Americans led by Shawnee War chief, Blue Jacket, near Toledo, Ohio.  This led to increased American settlement as Indians gave up 2/3 of Ohio and S. Indiana.  Pinckney’s Treaty – Spain was worried about Jay’s Treaty. 1795; with Spain (got LA from France in 1763) allowed the U.S. to use the port of New Orleans.

 Problems with France, offended by Jay’s Treaty, dominated the Federalist, Adams’ tenure.  They copied the British & continued to seize American ships; 316 in French Revolution is still on, the King and Queen are dead, & the Directory is in power.  Adams sent three diplomats (Charles Pinckney, John Marshall, & Elbridge Gerry to France to negotiate with Foreign Minister Talleyrand who wanted a personal bribe ($250 K), a U.S. loan ($10 M), and apology to end the troubles between the nations.  Three secret agents, X,Y,& Z negotiated for France. Pinckney stood up and yelled, “No, no, not a six-pence sir.” The agents gave up and Pinckney & Marshall went home and told of the news. Marshall said, “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!” Gerry was called home and war seemed unavoidable.  Adams published the XYZ correspondence and the public was outraged! Congress ordered 10,000 more copies. Kids played war games in the streets: US vs. France and Adams became a national hero after barely winning election.  GW out of retirement, army increased from 3500 to 10 K, & Congress gave money for 40 new warships – 1801 Federalist Party

 War would have been popular, but unwise. Why?  Adams chose to avoid war, but the Federalists used the scare to further their agenda.  Alien Act of 1798 – toughened the citizenship requirements for immigrants and restricted free speech. “Dangerous” people could be deported or imprisoned. Most new immigrants usually voted Democratic-Republican.  Sedition Act of 1798 – made it illegal to criticize the government in a time of crisis (i.e. the French threat).  The rift between Jefferson and Adams widened as did the rift between Adams and Hamilton.  Adams sent three diplomats to France in 1799 to undo the damage of XYZ. A new treaty, the Convention of 1800, was reached and Adams felt it was his crowning achievement.  But political division caused him to be a one- term president.

 Didn’t believe in a strong presidency or federal government; he was for “states’ rights”  Had Congress remove Alien & Sedition Acts; he was for 1 st Amendment  Cut federal taxes on stamps & land & made cuts in government spending and reduced the debt from $80 Million to $59 Million-a minor miracle!  Marbury vs. Madison (1803) – Supreme Court Case that set precedent for judicial review – the power to decide the constitutionality of federal law.

 The Louisiana Purchase (1803) – from France for $15 Million was apex of his presidency  Lewis & Clark Expedition ( ) – Explored LA & reached Pacific Ocean  Zebulon Pike ( ) explored S.W. Louisiana

 Embargo Act of 1807 – suspended trade with Great Britain  Britain practiced impressment – a policy of seizing U.S. sailors and forcing them to work in Royal Navy  We thought Britain would need our food and cotton more than we needed their clothing – it failed because it hurt U.S. merchants & our economy  Congress ended it 1809 as Jefferson left office, but we were still having problems with the British Empire

 The War of 1812 – Madison felt there was no choice but war  Britain invaded & captured Washington, DC  The U.S. failed to take Canada  We won most battles and therefore the war  Battle of New Orleans (1814) – Andrew Jackson becomes a national hero

 He wanted to prevent Spain or any other European nation from ever having colonies in the Americas  Monroe Doctrine (1823) – said we would use force to keep Western Hemisphere free of European domination  We saw ourselves as the supreme power in the hemisphere  We lacked the military to enforce it, but it will shape American foreign policy in the late 1800s and early 1900s

1. Washington set the tradition of appointing a group of advisors known as the _________. a. Directory b. Cabinet c. Judiciary 2. Britain and other European nations declared war on this country when it overthrew the monarchy in 1789? a. Spain b. Prussia c. France 3. Some feel the Louisiana Purchase was his greatest achievement? a. Jefferson b. Madisonc. Monroe 4. This failed law of 1807 was passed to keep American ships in port to avoid conflicts with the British Navy? a. Impressment Act b. Embargo Act c. Boycott Act 5. The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 was passed to a. prevent Mexico from breaking away from Spain. b. prevent European nations from creating new colonies in the Americas. c. prevent Great Britain from trading with the United States.

 The North Industrializes  Your job is to tell why?  Tell what was produced?  Who provided the labor?  The South is Reliant on Agriculture  Your job is to tell why?  Tell what was produced?  Who provided the labor?