Jay’s Treaty and Washington’s Farewell

1) At the beginning of his next term. Washington needs to decide which superpower he will defend. Democratic Republicans French

Federalists British

However, President Washington wants to avoid war at all cost and declares the Neutrality Proclamation of 1793.

Jay’s Treaty and Washington’s Farewell3) President Washington

explained, “If we are permitted to improve without interruption the great advantages which nature and circumstances have placed within our reach, many years will not revolve before we may be ranked, not only among the most respectable, but among the happiest people on earth."

Jay’s Treaty and Washington’s Farewell

4) The Democratic-Republicans assailed Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation as cowardly and many were eager to join the French Revolutionaries in another fight against the despised British monarchy. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson also favored the French, but agreed with the intent of the President’s far-sighted foreign policy.

Jay’s Treaty and Washington’s Farewell

5) Despite the neutrality, the British continued to attack American ships. Therefore George Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to negotiate with them.

Jay’s Treaty and Washington’s Farewell7) Jay’s Treaty

- U.S. wants British out of western forts and to stop attacking ships.

- Great Britain say’s OK! But does not follow through with promise.

- In addition the U.S. is forced to pay its old debts to Great Britain.

Jay’s Treaty

• Results of Jay’s Treaty:– Dem. Republicans becomes angry that Neutrality

Act now favors Great Britain– France feels betrayed by former alliances and

starts an “undeclared” war between U.S. and France

– However this battle does convince Jefferson to return to politics

Jay’s Treaty and Washington’s Farewell10) John Jay later claimed that

the entire eastern seaboard was illuminated each night by protestors burning him in effigy. Alexander Hamilton was even struck in the head by a rock when he tried to defend the treaty before a crowd of protestors. Graffiti appeared near Jay's house after the treaty's ratification, reading, "Damn John Jay. Damn everyone that won't damn John Jay. Damn everyone that won't put up the lights in the windows and sit up all nights damning John Jay.

•

The Election of 17967) With George Washington retiring

from politics, the Election of 1796 came down to two men, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

Adams won by a majority of 71-68 Electoral votes, with most of his support coming from the New England States.

Jefferson enthusiastically accepted

the VP position , stating graciously, “I was his junior in life, was his junior in Congress, his junior in the diplomatic line, his junior lately in our civil government.”

The Quasi War

1) The French tolerated Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation, but felt betrayed by Jay’s Treaty. As a result the United States and France battled one for 2 ½ years until Napoleon Bonaparte assumed power and resumed diplomatic relations.

Alien and Sedition Acts

1) During the Quasi War Adams and his administration came under a lot of heat from the Democratic Republicans. However the strong Anti-French resentment that had been growing enabled Adams to pass very controversial laws.

Alien and Sedition Acts

2) The Federalist Congress passed four laws known as the “Alien and Sedition” Acts. Alien = Persons who were not born in the United StatesSedition = Actions or Words meant to undermine government. (Free Speech)

Aimed at suppressing Democratic Republican opposition

VS. Jefferson

Adams

Alien and Sedition Acts3) Alien & Sedition Acts

Passed by Federalist Congress

Alien ActIncreases residency

requirement from 5 to 14 years

Could be deported or jailed during war

Sedition ActLimited free speech –

citizens could be jailed for saying bad things about the government or President

Alien and Sedition Acts

4) The infamous Sedition Act mandated fines and prison sentences for anyone who published “any false, scandalous, and malicious writing or writings against the Government of the United States.” Many vociferous editors of Jeffersonian newspapers were indicted for sedition and were brought to trial simply because they opposed the Federalists.

Alien and Sedition Acts

7) Seventeen people were arrested for sedition and ten were convicted, fined, and imprisoned. Ironically, these oppressive laws backfired on the Federalists and led many to support the Democratic-Republicans, helping Thomas Jefferson defeat John Adams in the election of 1800.

1800

Adam’s PresidencyKentucky & Virginia

ResolutionsResponses to Alien &

Sedition ActsWritten by Jefferson &

MadisonJefferson states Compact

Theory – states joined national gov’t freely and could leave freely

concept of Nullification – states could choose to not enforce federal law

“To institute new government…”

• 1st Amendment – The rights of religious freedom, speech, assembly, and petition. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Texas vs. Johnson (1984)• Key Question: Is the desecration of an American flag, by burning or otherwise, a form of speech that is protected under the First Amendment?

In a 5-to-4 decision, the Court held that Johnson's burning of a flag was protected expression under the First Amendment. The Court found that Johnson's actions fell into the category

of expressive conduct and had a distinctively political nature. The Court also held that state officials did not have

the authority to designate symbols to be used to communicate only limited sets of messages, noting that “if

there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive

or disagreeable."

Tinker vs. Des Moines• Key Question: Does a prohibition against the wearing of armbands in

public school, as a form of symbolic protest, violate the students' freedom of speech protections guaranteed by the First Amendment?

• “The Supreme Court held that the armbands represented pure speech that is entirely separate from the actions or conduct of those participating in it. The

Court also held that the students did not lose their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech when they stepped onto school property. In order to justify the

suppression of speech, the school officials must be able to prove that the conduct in question would “materially

and substantially interfere” with the operation of the school.”

Vocabulary Words

• Compact Theory: The idea that since states joined the Federal government under the Constitution freely, they may also leave the Constitution freely.

• Nullification: Refusal or failure of a U.S. state to recognize or enforce a federal law within its boundaries.

5 minute free write

1. In your own words, define what nullification means.

2. Why does Jefferson see nullification as a necessary tool that all states should have?

Essay Response• Please write a 6-8 sentence well thought out response to the following

prompt. This essay should have an introduction, conclusion and include specific details and examples from what we have learned in class. This will be collected.

In agreeing to a federalist system, the states surrendered certain powers and responsibilities to their national government. However, there are still certain powers that were reserved for the states.

Prompt:

First, define what powers the national government has and how they differ from the states. Second, should state governments have the ability to judge whether or not federal laws are constitutional? Explain yes or no. (It is not important what side you choose but rather how you defend your position)

• Should unpopular or unpatriotic speech be protected by the First

Amendment?

• (Briefly explain why / why not)