Chapter 8 GRQ

Explain how and why the bitter rivalry between France and Britain dramatically influenced American politics in the period 1790-1815 when the governmental leaders in the United States had consistently expressed a desire to avoid involvement in Europe Affairs?

Because of the fact that France had helped the Americans win the revolutionary war. But, however, during the French's revolution, the Americans wanted to help out first, but when it became more radical and they executed King Louis, the Americans didn't want to be apart of it. The permanent alliance between France and America also further complicated the situation.

What vision of citizenship did the Democratic-Republican societies contribute to the development of American politics? Why were the Federalists so strongly opposed to them?

Democratic-Republican societies declared "That all men are naturally all free and possess equal rights. And that all legitimate government originates in the voluntary social compact of the people." The federalists, who naturally went against all of those ideals, stated that these societies were another example of how liberty was getting out of hand. They stated that the government, not "self-created societies," declared the president, was the authentic voice of the people. The societies were forced to justify their existence, and they did. They developed a defense to the right of the people to debate political issues and organize to affect public policy. To them, "free inquiry" and "free communication" were the first line of defense of free men. Political liberty meant not simply voting at elections but also a lot of involvement in public issues. "Political freedom" as well included the right to "exercise watchfulness and inspection, upon the conduct of public officers." The federalists blamed the societies for helping to inspire the Whisky Rebellion, which caused the society to disappear by the end of 1795.

Why did Hamilton's former Federalist Papers colleague, James Madison, oppose his economic plan so strongly? One of the two had obviously changed their thinking on economic issues. Which one was it and how had they changed?

Hamilton did, his views on the republic changed dramatically, resulting in the federalist papers basically turning itself upside down. Madison believed that Hamilton was suggesting a strong central government which would have created commercial capitalists, the government would have too much power.

What was the great irony behind Jefferson's election to the presidency by the U.S. House of Representatives?

Hamilton was the one who got Jefferson to be elected, even though they were heated rivals. It also created the 12th amendment, which said that voters had to cast separate votes for a president and a vice president.

Why do you think President John Adams negotiated a peace settlement with France in 1800 rather than follow the advice of Alexander Hamilton (and other Federalists) and go to war?

John Adams probably did so because of Washington's administration previously wanting to not be involved in a war, it probably put into his brain that America (since she was basically an 5-month old infant at this point [country age] ) shouldn't go into a war that they aren't prepared for.

How did the Republicans differ from the Federalists in the way that they organized and conducted election campaigns? To what degree were the Republicans successful?

Republicans printed pamphlets, handbills, and newspapers and holding mass meetings to promote their cause. The Federalists, who believed in in politics as a small group for rich men, found it difficult to match their opponent in gaining votes. Republicans were successful in electing Jefferson from 73-65 votes.

What did the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions suggest about the rights of states in dealing with the federal government?

States, as Jefferson put it, "fully possessed" the authority to punish "seditious" speech, even if the national government did not. Both resolutions attacked the Sedition Act as an unconstitutional violation of the 1st amendment. Virginia's written by Madison, called on federal courts to protect free speech. The original version of Jefferson's Kentucky went even further on this, asserting that states could nullify laws of Congress that violated the constitution - that is states could literally prevent laws to be enforced in their own borders.

What was the Republican response to the Alien and Sedition Acts?

The Alien and Sedition acts failed to silence the Republican press. Some stopped altogether, but new ones as well came into the picture. The Acts thrust freedom of expression into the discussions of American liberty. They were extremely outraged at this, and many of them were arrested because of what they were posting on newspapers, argued that sedition laws violated the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects freedom of speech and the press.

Which economic and social groups formed the Republican party? What ideas united them?

The Republican party (not the same as our present-day Republican party) were more sympathetic to France than the Federalists and had more faith in a democratic self-government. They drew their support from an unusual alliance with wealthy southern planters and ordinary farmers across the country. Urban artisans as well joined in as well from their enthusiasm for the French Revolution. Republicans were as well far more critical than the federalists of social an economic inequality, and more accepting of broad democratic participation as essential to freedom.

The Whisky Rebellion (added term)

The Whisky rebellion of 1794 broke out from back country PA farmers sought to block collection of the new tax on distilled spirits. The "rebels" used the 1776 banners and other symbols, reading "liberty or death". Washington dispatched 13,000 militiamen to western PA. He as well accompanied them part of the way to PA. The rebels offer no resistance.

What role did the creation of the federal postal system play in the early political development of the United States?

The creation of the federal post system played into the fact that letters and printed materials before this time were slow, and letters would not arrive to the intended person for months on end. The creation of multiple American post offices, which was around 1,000 made, made letters that much more faster to send. It allowed people to get involved that much more with politics than ever before as well.

How did the expanding public sphere create opportunities for women restricted by the domestic sphere to participate in public discourse?

The expanding public sphere caused women to start expressing their thoughts on print, because they couldn't be controlled in expressing their thoughts. Hannah Adams of MA became the first women to support herself as an author. Other women also took part in political discussions, read newspapers, and listened to orations, (a formal speech, especially one given on a ceremonial occasion.) even though nobody outside of New Jersey (go team!) could vote. Until after the Civil War, the word "male" did not appear in the constitution, which meant that they were fully represented in the choosing the representatives in congress, and there were no explicit rights that were limited in the constitution that separated men from women. But, the constitution's use of the word "he" to describe office holders, showed very subtly that the realm of politics were only for men.

Briefly describe the core beliefs, policies and goals of the Federalist party.

The federalist party was a party in which they favored the Washington administration, they as well favored Hamilton's economic plan and the close ties with the British. They were made up of usually prosperous merchants, farmers, lawyers, and established political leaders (especially outside the south). Their outlook was generally elitist, reflecting the traditional 18th century view of society as a fixed hierarchy and of public office as reserved for men that were rich. Freedom, they insisted, rested on the humble submission and respect to authority. It DID NOT mean the right to stand up in opposition to the government. They also believed that the "spirit of liberty" that was unleashed by the American Revolution was slowly degenerating into anarchy.

What were the Washington administration's intentions in issuing the Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793 and negotiating Jay's Treaty of 1794-95?

The intentions were since nobody advocated that the Americans should join the European war, the Americans tried really hard not to go into another conflict, with issuing the Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793 and negotiating Jay's Treaty of 1794-95. However, in one case, with Jay's treaty, the compromise was that the English wouldn't use the common impressment (kidnapping sailors to serve in the British navy) against the American shipping. As well, Britain promised to abandon outposts in the western frontier which they should have done in 1783. In exchange, the Americans guaranteed that the British will have favored treatment towards British imported goods. This, however, this treaty basically destroyed the American-French alliance, and came into light that the Americans were far non-superior to the British in economic[t1] and naval standpoints. [t1]

What did the Adams administration think it was doing by suppressing Fries's Rebellion and passing and enforcing the Alien and Sedition Acts?

They possibly thought that they were trying to impose themselves as nobody can mess with them, and under the Adams administration any negative or false comment, probably just targeting them for free speech and free press, that none of those would be allowed. **John Adams was a federalist, which meant that he was very biased against Republicans.

Briefly describe Thomas Jefferson and James Madison's understanding of free trade.

To Thomas and James, free trade not a system of government favoritism through tariffs and subsides, would promote American prosperity while fostering greater social equality.

What was Washington's advice to the nation in his "Farewell Address?" How does this advice look from the vantage point of 2019-2020?

Washington advised his nation to steer clear of international power politics by avoiding "permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world." This, obviously is not what we have done. We are allies with mostly every country in the world, the reason that the corona virus is even being dealt with as it is is because that all the countries in the world as of now (except for a couple) are working on isolating patients with the disease, and working on a vaccine to make sure that the spread of the virus is contained.

What does it mean that 1796 was the first "contested" presidential election?

the first presidential election in which political parties played a dominant role, and the only presidential election in which a president and vice president were elected from opposing tickets.