1. Political Developments in the Early Republic
Chapter 11

2. I. Launching the New Government
First President
April 30, 1789 – Washington takes oath of office
BrainPOP
Title Debate
Argued over title
Washington preferred “Mr. President”
Setting Up the Executive Branch
Department of State – to handle relations with other countries
Department of War – to defend the nation
Treasury Department – oversee nation’s finances
Attorney General – president’s legal advisor
Postmaster General – head postal system

3. II. Washington as President
Critical Problem
National treasury was empty
1791 – Congress agreed to tax on whiskey and luxury goods
Whiskey Rebellion
Many complaints on whiskey tax
Congress lowered in 1793
Rebels in Western PA tarred and feathered tax collectors
a) Washington led 13,000 state militia troops to crush rebels
French Revolution
1789 – French people rebelled against king
20,000 people killed (mostly nobility)
BrainPOP

4. Whiskey Rebellion

5. II. Washington as President
Washington’s Farewell Address
Agreed to 2nd term in 1792
Messages to the Nation
Warned of problems with other countries
Warned of loyalty to political parties

6. What could our nation learn from the words of our first president?
Analysis
The words from Washington’s Farewell Address are just as important today as they were when he left office.
What could our nation learn from the words of our first president?

7. III. Alexander Hamilton & the Federalist Party
Background
Was born in the West Indies
Was Washington’s personal assistant during war
Married girl from political family which helped him into Congress
View of Human Nature
People were basically selfish and out for themselves
Distrusted any system of government that gave too much power to the common people

8. III. Alexander Hamilton & the Federalist Party
Best Form of Government
Believed that country should be ruled by “best people” – educated, wealthy
Favored a strong national government
Ideal Economy
1790
economy based on agriculture
Hamilton presented Congress with plan to pay off war debts asap
1 – promised capital location to south if they supported
Also asked Congress to establish a national bank (collect taxes, print paper money, loans)

9. III. Alexander Hamilton & the Federalist Party
Relations with Britain & France
1793 – war broke out between France and England
a) Federalists sided with Britain

10. IV. Thomas Jefferson & the Republican Party
Background
Born in Virginia and became tobacco planter (slave-owner)
View of Human Nature
1. Informed citizens could make good decisions for themselves and their country
Best Form of Government
Favored democracy
Best government was one that governed the least
Constitution meant exactly what it said (no more or less)
Favored strong state governments

11. IV. Thomas Jefferson & the Republican Party
Ideal Economy
1. Favored economy based on agriculture
Relations with Britain & France
Supported France
French Representative to the US, Edmond Genet, attempted to convince Americans to join the French in war with Britain
a) Ordered to leave the country after insulting President Washington

12. V. Presidency of John Adams
Election of 1796
Republicans backed Jefferson
Federalists supported John Adams
Adams elected by 3 votes, Jefferson VP
Alien & Sedition Acts
Alien Acts (3)
Lengthened time it took for immigrant to become a citizen with right to vote from 5 to 14 years
Allowed president to jail or deport aliens suspected of causing trouble
Sedition Act – made encouraging rebellion against government a crime

13. V. Presidency of John Adams
Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions
Set of statements opposing Alien & Sedition Act
Virginia & Kentucky only 2 states who adopted resolutions
New National Capital
– federal government moved to city of Washington in District of Columbia

14. VI. Election of 1800 1800 Election The Campaign Divided Federalists
Republican leaders backed Jefferson with Aaron Burr as VP
Federalists chose John Adams for reelection with Charles Pinckney as VP
The Campaign
Jefferson supported the Constitution and states’ rights, run a simple government
Adams ran on his record of peace and prosperity
Divided Federalists
1. Hamilton’s followers refuse to support Adams because of foreign policy disagreements

15. VII. Deadlock & a New Amendment
Election Results
1. All Republican electors voted for Jefferson and Burr resulting in a tie between them
Breaking the Tie
Sent to the House of Representatives where each state gets 1 vote – ended in another tie
6 days and 35 ballots later – Hamilton broke deadlock by asking his supporters to vote for Jefferson
1804 – 12th amendment added, calling for separate ballots for president and vice president