The Birth of PoliticalParties

1788-1800

Washington 1789-1797• created a strong,

independent presidency

• rejected the argument for states’ rights

• Wanted a strong, national government

• Resisted any attempts to restrict his presidential powers

• By his second term most Americans saw Washington as a Federalist; no longer “above party lines”

Apothesis of Washington

Conflicting Visions: Alexander Hamilton• Secretary of the

Treasury• Believed strong

central government preserves national independence

• Envisioned U.S. as an industrial power

• Feared the common people; he was an elitist

Conflicting Visions: ThomasJefferson • Secretary of

State under Washington

• Believed limited government preserves liberty

• Envisioned U.S. as an agrarian(farming) nation

• Trusted the common people

Political Parties DevelopFederalists(Hamilton)• Pessimistic view of

human nature• Wanted a rich, well-

born aristocracy to rule based on birth, wealth, and status

• Strong national government

• Loose interpretation of the Constitution

• Industrial, urban centered economy

• Government gives aid to business

• Pro-British

Republicans (Jefferson)

• Optimistic view of human nature

• A natural aristocracy based on talent and virtue

• Local, states’ rights; limited central government

• Strict interpretation of the Constitution

• Farming, rural centered economy

• Government neither aids or regulates business; laissez-faire

• Pro-French

The Peril of Neutrality• Franco-British War breaks out 1793• England violates American sovereignty,

neutrality on high seas• Jefferson: punish England by cutting

off trade• Hamilton: appease England because

too strong• French diplomat Edmond Genet challenges

American neutrality repeatedly in public• Washington will not give in to Genet

Jay’s Treaty

• Problems: British still in American west; seized slaves at end of Revolutionary War; capture of American vessels in French West Indies because would not recognize U.S. neutrality; bad commercial relations

• Treaty: British leave Western forts; allow SMALL ships to trade in British West Indies; Refused to pay for ships taken, recognize neutrality and did not address slaves

• Washington did not like treaty; barely passed the Senate

• Public says we sold out!

Domestic Unrest: The Whiskey Rebellion

• 1791-excise* tax passed on grain/distilled whiskey

• 1794- western Pennsylvanians loosing money because of tax and protest paying it

• Governor refuses to suppress men

• Washington accompanies 15,000 troops

• Arrive to find no rebels• Washington blamed

Republican political clubs for inciting disorder

• Republicans said it was just an excuse for Hamilton to create a large army to scare the Republicans; the average man

*Excise-internal tax on goods manufactured, sold, or consumed within a country

Washington’s Farewell

• Washington not limited to two terms

• 1796- announces intention to retire

• Warns against political parties

• Stay Neutral!!!

Alien and Sedition Acts• Federalists developed a large army in

case of war with France after XYZ affair – can’t believe Republicans still support France

• Provisional army led by Washington and Hamilton- only loyal Federalists received commissions

• Main point: not to crush the French but rather the Republicans through intimidation

• Adams was bullied into approving the army; he established the navy in 1798

• Federalists turn next to Congress

Alien and Sedition Acts, Cont.• Alien Law- president could expel any foreigner

simply by decree (power for 2 years)

• Adams never used this, but did cause many Frenchmen to flee

• Naturalization Law- 14 year probationary period before could apply for full citizenship

• Many immigrants (French and Irish) were Republicans – prevent them from voting

• Sedition Law- could not criticize the U.S. government; attempt to shut down the Republican press

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions• Republicans see Alien and Sedition

Acts as dire threat to liberty

• Jefferson’s Kentucky Resolutions--states may nullify unconstitutional federal law

• Madison's Virginia Resolutions--urge states to protect their citizens

• Purpose of resolutions: clarify differences between Republicans and Federalists

Adams Breaks Away• 1799- After the French

apologize for the XYZ “misunderstanding,” Adams sends men to negotiate with France

• Declare treaties of 1778 null and void and removed all French restrictions on trade.

• This change, while it infuriated Hamilton and other Federalists, it paved the way for the future Louisiana Purchase.