we the people unit 4

What was the disagreement over the meaning of the words in the Constitution?

Hamilton the Secretary of the Treasury wanted a strong federal government , he favored taking a broad view of the meaning of the words in the Constitution. But Jefferson the Secretary of the State wanted a small, local government, he favored taking a narrow view of the meaning of the words in the Constitution. This caused a problem because the Constitution didn't say specifically what had to happen so different views were taken. The Federalist Party supported Hamilton, and the Republican Party supported Jefferson.

What was the disagreement about the creation of the bank of the United States?

Hamilton was worried about the Nation's Debt because he believed it would strengthen the economy and would establish the public credit of the United States. So, he came up with the idea to create a bank for the United States with paper money. However, people did not trust paper money because they believed it wouldn't hold its value. Hamilton believed a bank was necessary to allow government to carry out its enumerated powers to collect taxes and regulate trade. Thomas Jefferson disagreed with the idea for the bank because he believed that the necessary and proper clause only allowed government to do those things that were absolutely necessary. In the end, Washington signed the bill from Congress to create the Bank of the United States.

What was the disagreement about foreign affairs?

In 1793 war broke out between France and Great Brittan. Jefferson and the Republicans wanted a stronger relationship with the French while Hamilton and the Federalists wanted a stronger relationship with Great Brittan. Jefferson thought that the French did so much to support the colonies during the revolution that they should befriend the French. But Hamilton believed that befriending Great Brittan would be better since the Colonists were from there and they still had links to people in Brittan. Washington stayed neutral, deciding that if he took a side it would be harmful to the U.S.

Explain how the disagreements about how to solve the new nation's problems led to the rise of political parties.

Over the long term the Federalist Party couldn't compete with the Republicans. Other parties rose to take its place. The modern Democratic Party claims its roots lie with the Republican Party of Jefferson. Now the political parties are active at the local, state, and national levels. Despite the fears of the Framers, they are an important part of the political system.

What were the Alien and Sedition Acts? Why were they passed?

The Alien Act gave the president broad powers over aliens entering the country. The Sedition Act made it a crime for newspaper editors, writers, or speakers to criticize the government. They were passed because they wanted to use the newspapers to build public support for their views. There was also a harmful effect of political parties. They were passed to silence the Republicans.

Why was the election of 1800 important?

The presidential election of 1800 is important because it was the first time that political parties backed candidates for president. It is also important because even though it had been a bitter campaign, the parties excepted it. It was a bitter campaign because instead of campaigning like it is done today, Adams and Jefferson accused each other of wishing to destroy the Constitution. The parties and powers were switched. It was important because it was the first time that political parties backed candidates for president. The parties switched because of election.

Why were the Framers of the Constitution against having political parties?

They did not want political parties because they believed that they were factions (a dissatisfied group formed within a larger group.) The Framers believed that political parties were factions. A faction is usually a dissatisfied group formed within a larger group. The Framers thought that factions might fight to promote the interests of their own members. They feared that the strongest faction would then control government. In such a case, government would not protect equally the rights and interests of all the people. Instead, government would promote the interests of the party in power.