History Chapter 11

The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (continued)

-According to the theory, they gave up certain rights. Rights not specifically given to the federal government remained with the states. One of the most important is the right to judge whether the federal government is using its powers properly. -When no other states approved the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, the protest died. The states' rights theory, however, was not forgotten. It would be raised and tested again in the years ahead.

The Alien and Sedition Acts (continued)

-Although these laws were never enforced, they did scare a number of French spies and rabble-rousers into leaving the country. -The Sedition Act made sedition a crime. Its definition of sedition included printing,writing, or speaking in a scandalous or malicious (hateful) way against the government (Congress or the President). -Hamilton approved of this law, believing that it would punish only those who published vicious lies intended to destroy the government. The Sedition Act was used to punish Republican newspaper editors who delighted in insulting Adams.

Thomas Jefferson's Relations with Britain and France

-Another argument between Republicans and Federalists was the French Revolution. -Most Americans favored the revolution until it turned violent and led to war. -A Republican newspaper branded the Federalists "British bootlickers." -Despite the violence of the revolution, most Republicans continued to support France. -While regretting the bloodshed, they argued that a few thousand noble heads was a small price to pay for freedom. -Republicans were scorned in a Federalist newspaper as "frog-eating, man-eating, blood-drinking cannibals."

About Alexander Hamilton (continued)

-Early in the Revolutionary War, Washington spotted his talents and made him his aide-de-camp, or personal assistant. -Near the end of the war, he married Elizabeth Schuyler, who came from one of New York's richest and most powerful families. -later, he was elected to represent New York in Congress after the war. He also served as a delegate from New York to the Constitutional Convention.

Federalist Party

-Even though Washington had warned them about political parties, the young nation still had political parties. -The Federalist Party first appeared during the debates over the ratification of the Constitution. -Its most influential leader was Washington's energetic treasury secretary, Alexander Hamilton.

Alexander Hamilton's Best Form of Government

-Federalists believed that the country should be ruled by "the best people"-educated, wealthy, public-spirited men like themselves. These people had the time, education, and background to run the country wisely. They could be trusted to make decisions for the general good, not just for themselves. -Federalists favored a strong national government. They hoped to use the new government's powers under the Constitution to unite the quarreling states and keep order among the people. In their view, the rights of states were not really important as national power and unity.

The Alien and Sedition Acts

-Federalists passed four controversial laws know as the Alien and Sedition Acts. They argued that these laws were needed to protect the country from troublemakers like Citizen Genet. The real purpose of these laws was to make life difficult for the Federalists' rivals, the Republicans. -Three of the laws were aimed at aliens (noncitizens). The first increased the time it took immigrants to become a citizen with the right to vote-form 5 to 14 years. Since most immigrants voted Republicans, Jefferson saw this law as an attack on his party. The other two laws allowed the president to either jail or deport (expel) aliens who were suspected of stirring up trouble.

The Presidency of John Adams (continued)

-Federalists supported John Adams, who appealed to lawyers, merchants, ship owners, and businesspeople in the North. -When the electoral votes were counted, John Adams was elected president by just three votes. Jefferson came in second, making him vice president. -The nation's top two leaders were political enemies from opposing parties.

Launching the Government = George Washington (continued)

-Had reasons to be nervous. 1. Congress was deeply divided. Some members wanted a strong national government, while others wanted to limit the power of the new government. These differences caused an argument on what title to use when addressing the president.

Alexander Hamilton's Best Form of Government (continued)

-Hamilton agreed. Having grown up in the Caribbean, he had no deep loyalty to any state. His country was not New York, but the USA. He hoped to see his adopted country become a great and powerful nation.

Alexander Hamilton's Ideal Economy (continued 2)

-Hamilton also asked Congress to establish a national bank. He believed a bank would help collect taxes and keep those funds safe. It would print paper money backed by the government, giving the nation a stable currency. Most importantly, the bank would make loans to business like building new factories and ships. As business and trade expanded, he argued that all Americans would be better off. -Once again, people opposed his idea. They asked where in the Constitution does it say that Congress can establish banks. In their view, Congress could exercise only those powers listed in the Constitution.

Hamilton, Washington ,and Jefferson's view of the Whiskey Rebellion

-Hamilton and Washington saw the Whiskey Rebellion as a threat and warning to the authority of the national government. -Washington led 13,000 state militia troops across the mountains to crush the rebels. Because of the overwhelming force, the rebellion melted away. -Jefferson thought that the idea of sending an army to catch a few tax rebels was foolish. -Hamilton was prepared to violate people's liberties by using armed force to put down opposition to government policies.

The Divided Federalists of The Election of 1800

-Hamilton and his followers refused to support Adams because of disagreements over the president's foreign policy. -As the campaign heated up, Hamilton worked feverishly behind the scenes to convince the men chosen for the Electoral College to cast their presidential ballots to Pinckney over Adams. -Pinckney seemed more likely that Adams to value Hamilton's advice and his firm Federalist principles. -With Pinckney as president, Hamilton believed that he would be able to personally guide the US into the new century.

Alexander Hamilton's Ideal Economy (continued 3)

-Hamilton supported a loose construction (broad interpretation) of the Constitution. He pointed out that the "elastic clause" allowed Congress to "make all laws which shall be necessary and proper" for carrying out its listed powers. Since collecting taxes was one of those powers, Congress could set up a bank to help the government with tax collection. After much debate, he was able to get his bank approved by Congress. One established, the Bank of the United States helped the nation's economy grow and prosper.

About Alexander Hamilton

-Hamilton was born in the West Indies and was raised on the Caribbean island of St. Croix. -When he was 13, a bad hurricane struck the island, and he wrote a description of the storm that impressed everyone who read it. -St. Croix leaders sent him to New York, where he could get education he deserved. -He grew up to be a small, slim, handsome man, and his blue eyes were said to turn black when he was angry. Most of the times, they sparkled with intelligence and energy. -With no money of family connections to help him rise in the world, he made his way on ability, ambition, and charm.

Alexander Hamilton's Ideal Economy

-Hamilton's dream of national greatness depended on the United States developing a strong economy. In 1790, the nation's economy was still based mainly on agriculture. -He wanted to expand the economy and increase the nation's wealth by using the power of the federal government to promote business, manufacturing, and trade. Before they could do this, they had to pay off the huge debts that Congress and the stated had pile dup during the Revolutionary war. In 1790, Hamilton presented Congress with a plan to pay off all war debts as quickly as possible. If the debts weren't paid, he warned the government would loose respect both at home and abroad.

Republican Party

-Hamilton's success in getting his plans through Congress alarmed Thomas Jefferson and his fellow Republicans. -In Jefferson's view, almost everything Hamilton did to put the US on the path to greatness was instead a step down path to ruin. -The two men had very different views on almost everything.

Alexander Hamilton's view of Human Nature

-Hamilton's view of human nature was shaped by is wartime experiences. -He had seen people put their own interests and personal profit above patriotism and the needs of the country. -Most Federalists shared Hamilton's view that people were basically selfish and out for themselves. So, they distrusted any system of government that gave too much power to "the mob," or common people. -Hamilton said that these systems could only lead to "error, confusion, and instability."

Alexander Hamilton's Ideal Economy (continued 1)

-His plan of paying the debts was opposed by many Americans, especially in the South. many southern states had already paid off their war debts, so they didn't want to help the northern states pay off what they still owed. -To save this plan, he linked it to another issue, which was the location of the nation's permanent capitol. Northerners and southerners wanted the capitol to be located in their section of the country. So, he promised to support the location in the South if the southerners would support his debt plan. The debt plan was passed, and the nation's new capitol was called the District of Columbia, which was located in the South on the Potomac river between Maryland and Virginia.

Thomas Jefferson's Relations with Britain and France (continued)

-In 1793, the French government sent Edmond Genet to the US as its new official representative. Genet preferred to be called "citizen," to emphasize the equality of all people. His job was to convince Americans to join France in its war against Great Britain. -Citizen Genet was recognized as a conquering hero by Republicans. As he traveled to preach against kings and nobles, he was cheered by large crowds. In Philadelphia, the nation's temporary capitol, a great banquet was held in his honor.

Breaking the Tie

-In the case of a tie, the Constitution sends the election to the House of Representatives. There, each state has one vote. -Burr should have told his supporters in the House to elect Jefferson president, as his party wanted. Instead, he remained silent, hoping the election might go his way. When the house voted, the vote was another tie. -After 6 days and 35 ballots, it was Federalist Alexander Hamilton who broke the deadlock, He asked his supporters in the House to vote for Jefferson. The tie was broken, and Jefferson was elected president.

The New National Capital

-In the fall of 1800, the federal government moved to the city of Washington in the District of Columbia. Most of the government's buildings were still under construction. -Adam's wife, Abigail, described the new President's House as a castle in which not a room or chamber is finished. She used the large East Room for hanging laundry, as it was not fit for anything else. -After years of wandering from city to city, the national government finally had a permanent home.

Thomas Jefferson's Ideal Economy

-Jefferson was a country man. He believed that the nation's future lay not with the Federalist bankers and merchants, but with plain, Republican farm folk. -Republicans favored an economy based on agriculture. They opposed any measures, such as the national bank, designed to encourage the growth of business and manufacturing. In their view, the national bank was not only unconstitutional, but anti-farmer. While the bank was happy to loan money to businesspeople to build factories and ships, it did not make the loans to farmers to buy land.

About Thomas Jefferson

-Jefferson was born in Virginia to an old and respected family. -He was gifted with many talents. He learned to ride, hunt, sing, dance, and play the violin. Later, he carried a violin with him in all his travels. -He was also a gifted student. When he entered college at 16, he already knew Greek and Latin. He seemed to know something about almost everything. -He grew up to be a tall, skinny man with reddish brown hair. -He set himself to be a Virginia tobacco planter, with the land inherited from his father. He used slaves to work his land.

Thomas Jefferson's View of Human Nature

-Jefferson's view of human nature was much more hopeful that Hamilton's. -He assumed that informed citizens could make good decisions for themselves and their country. -He had great faith in the goodness and wisdom of people who worked the soil like farmers and planters.

Problems with The Whiskey Rebellion

-Many farmers complained that the tax made their whisky too expensive, and refused to pay it. -To end these protests, Congress lowered the excise tax in 1793. -Most farmers began to pay up, but not the tax rebels of western Pennsylvania. -These "Whiskey Boys" punished the tax collectors who tried to enforce the law.

The French Revolution (continued)

-News from France caused supporters of the Revolution to think again. -Cheered on by angry people, France's revolutionary government began lopping off the heads of wealthy nobles, with killed 20,000 men, women, and children. -Hamilton and his followers, who called themselves federalists, were shocked by the bloodshed. -As soon as they heard about the fate of wealthy families in France, they began to finger their own necks, wondering whether such terrors could happen in the US.

About Thomas Jefferson (continued)

-Once he was established as a planter, he entered Virginia politics. -As a politician. he needed the ability to make stirring speeches. But, he spoke brilliantly with his pen. -His words in the Declaration of Independence and other writings are still read and admired today.

Thomas Jefferson's Best Form of Government

-Republicans favored democracy over many other form of governments. They had no patience with the Federalists' view that only the "best people" should rule. To Republicans, this view came dangerously close to monarchy, or rule by a king. -Republicans believed that the best form of government was the one that governed the least. A small government with limited powers was most likely to leave the people alone to enjoy the blessings of liberty. To keep the national government small, they insisted on a strict construction, or interpretation, of the Constitution.

The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

-Republicans viewed the Sedition Act as an attack on the rights of free speech and free press. Since the federal government was enforcing the act, they looked to the state to protect these precious freedoms. -Jefferson and Madison drew up a set of resolutions, or statements, opposing the Alien and Sedition Acts and sent them to state legislatures for approval. They argued that Congress had gone beyond the Constitution in passing these acts. States now had a duty to nullify the laws that is, to declare them to be without legal force. -Only Virginia and Kentucky adopted the resolutions. The argument s put forward in these states were based on the states' rights theory of the Constitution. This theory holds that the states created the Constitution.

Setting Up the Executive Branch= attorney general

-Serves as the president's legal advisor, and a postmaster general to head the postal system. -George Washington chose men he trusted- such as Jefferson, Hamilton, and Knox.

The Whiskey Rebellion

-Settlers living west of the Appalachian Mountains howled in protest. -Western farmers found it too expensive to haul their grain across the mountains to sell in eastern cities. -So, they distilled their bulky wheat into whiskey, which could be shipped more cheaply.

Thomas Jefferson's Best Form of Government (continued)

-The Constitution meant exactly what it said, no more and co less. Any addition to the powers listed there, such as the creation of a national bank, was unconstitutional and dangerous. -Along with the weak national government, Republicans favored strong state governments. State Governments were closer to the people, and the people could control them more easily. Strong state governments could also keep the national government from growing too powerful.

The Campaign for The Election of 1800

-The candidates outlined their campaign issues early. -Jefferson supported the Constitution and states' rights. He promised to run a frugal and simple government. Adams ran on his record of peace and prosperity. -The campaign was run more on insults, than on issues. -Republican newspapers attacked Adams as a tyrant. They even accused him of wanting to turn the nation into a monarchy so that is children could follow him on the presidential throne. -Federalists newspapers called Jefferson a howling atheist (someone who denies the existence of God). They believed that Jefferson would destroy religion, introduce immorality, and loosen the bonds of all society. -Some buried their Bibles to keep them safe from the godless Republicans.

A Peaceful Revolution

-The election of 1800 was a victory for Jefferson and his Republican Party. But it was also a victory for the new system of government established by the Constitution. -In other countries, power changed hands by means of a war or revolution. -In the US, power had passed from one group to another without a single shot being fired. -No one was more pleased by this outcome than the nation's third president, Thomas Jefferson. -Americans had learned that it was better to fight for power with parties and ballots than with armies and bullets.

Washington's Farewell Address (message)

-The growing division between Republicans and Federalists disturbed Washington that he agreed to run for a second term as president in 1792. -Hamilton and Jefferson believed that Washington was the only person that would keep the nation from pulling apart. -Near the end of Washington's second term, he agreed to not run again. -Before leaving office, he prepared a farewell address or message.

The Election of 1800

-The move to Washington, D.C., came in the middle of the 1800 presidential election. -Hoping to avoid the strange outcome of the last election, they chose a New York politician named Aaron Burr to run as his vice president. -The Federalists chose John Adams to run for reelection as president. -Charles Pinckney of South Carolina was selected to run for vice president. -Some Federalists would have preferred Hamilton as their presidential candidate, but he was not eligible to run, since he was not an American-born citizen.

The French Revolution

-The nation had debates over events in France. -In 1789, the French people wanted to rebel against their king. -The leaders of the French Revolution dreamed of building a nation based on "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity," or brotherhood. -3 years later, France became a republic and declared a war of all peoples against all kings. -Many Americans were thrilled by the French Revolution. -Jefferson and his followers, started calling themselves Democratic-Republicans, or Republicans. -The Republicans saw the French Revolutions as part of a great struggle for democracy.

Launching the Government= George Washington (president)

-Took the oath of office as the first president of the United States. -After is inauguration, he addressed both houses of Congress. -Sometimes, his hands were shaking so much that he had trouble reading his speech.

Critical Problem Facing the New Government

-Was money. -The national treasury was empty. -Congress had the power to raise funds trough taxes. But its members argued about what to tax and by how much. -In 1791, Congress finally agreed to place an excise tax on whiskey and other "luxury" goods, such as carriages.

Washington's Farewell Address (message) -(continued)

-Washington first reminded Americans of all that bound them together as people. -Washington next warned of two threats to the nation's future. One of those threats was "the spirit of party." Washington said it was natural for people to hold different opinions, but he warned against the passionate loyalty to parties. If fighting between parties was not controlled, it could tear the young nation apart. -Despite his worries, Washington was proud as he left office. The new government was up and running and was growing so fast that they added Kentucky, Tennessee, and Vermont. -Washington had steered his government safely through hard times and he left the nation united and at peace.

The Presidency of John Adams

-When framers of the Constitution created the Electoral College, they thought the electors would simply choose two best leaders for president and vice president. This was how the nation's first two presidential elections worked. -By the third election in 1796, it was clear that the political parties had become part of the election process. -The Republicans backed Thomas Jefferson for president that year. His support came mainly in the South and the West.

Thomas Jefferson's Relations with Britain and France (continued 1)

-When he formally presented himself to President Washington, he expected another warm and enthusiastic response. -Washington didn't want to be drawn into war with Britain. His response to Genet was cool and dignified. -Genet began making speeches attacking the president. Attacks on Washington brought thousands of Genet's supporters into streets of Philadelphia. -Washington's cabinet agreed that Genet had to go. Calling him hotheaded, disrespectful, and even indecent (dirty) toward the President, Secretary of State Jefferson asked the French government to recall its troublesome representative.

A Deadlock and a New Amendment

-When the Electoral College voted early in 1801, it was clear that Adams had lost the election. -Under the Constitution, each elector cast two votes, with the idea that the candidate finishing second would be vice president. -All of the Republican electors voted for Jefferson and Burr. The result was a tie between them.

Alexander Hamilton's Relations with Britain and France

-When the French Revolution began, Hamilton hoped that it would lead to the establishment of free and good government. But instead it lead to chaos and bloodshed, which made his enthusiasm for the revolution cool. -When the war broke out between France and England in 1793, most Federalists sided with Britain. -Hamilton sided with the Britain because he hoped the US would become like them. It was a powerful and respected nation that could defend itself against any enemy.

states' rights

All rights kept by the states under the Constitution. Supporters of states' rights sometimes argued that states were not obliged to honor federal laws that they believed violated the Constitution.

Launching the Government= John Adams (vice president)

He pointed out that European heads of government had titles like "Your Excellency" that showed respect for their office. He argued that the president should gave a similar title and supporters agreed. Others argued that such titles smelled of royalty and had no place in a democracy. They believed that John Adams should be given the title "His Roundness."

The Twelfth Amendment

In 1804, the Twelfth Amendment was added to the Constitution to prevent such ties. The amendment calls for the Electoral College to cast separate ballots for president and vice president. If no presidential candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, the House or Representatives chooses a president from the top three candidates. If no candidate for vice president receives a majority, the Senate chooses the vice president.

Excise tax

Is a tax on the production or sale of a product.

Cabinet

The heads of the executive departments.

nullify

To refuse to recognize a federal law. This action by a state is called nullification.

Setting Up the Executive Branch= A Department of War

Was established to defend the nation.

Setting Up the Executive Branch= A Department of State

Was set up to handle relations with other countries.

Setting Up the Executive Branch= A Treasury Department

Was set up to oversee the nation's finances.

inauguration

a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of something, such as a president's term of office

aliens

people who have come from other countries and are not yet citizens

sedition

the crime of encouraging rebellion against the government