Running a New Nation

Imagine having to start and run an entire nation from scratch. That is what our founding fathers were faced with as they began the United States under the new US Constitution. As with any new venture, there would be many obstacles and problems to face.

The Presidency of

George Washington

The Precedents of Washington(decision made without law, that eventually become the formal behavior).

1. THE FIRST CABINET: Washington realized he could not be an expert in all fields, so he hired ADVISORS to help him on specific topics. The first cabinet consisted of three departments: Secretary of State-Thomas Jefferson (Foreign Affairs) Secretary of Treasury-Alexander Hamilton (our Federalist Rep!) Secretary of War-Henry Knox2. Another MAJOR PRECEDENT Washington set was: Serving only TWO terms! 3. The third Precedent set by Washington was NEUTRALITY in Foreign Affairs

Washington believed that getting involved in other nations political issues would harm US relations with other countries. He recognized the benefit of the US being separated by oceans from other countries. It is not until the AGE OF IMPERIALISM in the Late 1800s that the US really begins to move away from NEUTRALITY.

What did George Washington Warn about in his Farewell Address?1. Do not form Political Parties—this would divide the nation.2. Do not get involved in foreign affair

Alexander HamiltonSecretary of Treasury

What political views defined Hamilton?

Supporter of strong national power and the government had to expand its role and actively direct the development of the American economy.

What was Hamilton’s Financial Plan as Secretary of Treasury?

1. Pay all state debts from the Revolutionary War: (the South had already paid theirs so to get them to support Hamilton’s plan—the capital was moved from NYC to Washington D.C.)2. Establish a national banking system including the Bank of the United States

What was the controversy of this plan?

Anti-federalists (strict constructionists) did not believe the Constitution allowed for the Federal Gov’t to set up a bank. Many American also did not like the taxes proposed by Hamilton.

Who greatly opposed Hamilton’s ideas and why?

Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson felt the establishment of the Bank of US was not permitted by the Constitution. Later, President Andrew Jackson will successfully close the Bank .

The Whiskey Rebellion 1794-Farmers in Western Pennsylvania rebelled against Hamilton’s whiskey tax.Washington send in Federal troops and stopped the rebellionImportance: showed that the new government was committed to enforcing its laws. Show of federal power.

The First Political PartiesFEDERALISTS ANTI-FEDERALISTS

Alexander Hamilton, John Adams Thomas Jefferson

Strong Federal Government Weak Federal government and strong national government

Supported the Bank of the US Opposed the Bank of US

Loose Interpretation of the US Constitution—if the Constitution did not prohibit an action, the government could do it.

Strict Interpretation of the US Constitution—if the Constitution did not specifically grant a power, the government could not do it.

Political Party: FEDERALIST Political Party:DEMOCRAT-REPUBLICANS

John Adams

2nd US President

Election of 1796 Controversy

Adams won the majority—he became President but his rival Jefferson became VP—the two had to work together despite their vast differences.

THE DEMOCRAT-REPUBLICANS

Political Party of the Anti-federalists. Led by Thomas Jefferson—also known as Jeffersonian Republicans. They Opposed John Adams and the Federalists.

TheXYZ Affair

French agents (XYZ) demanded a bribe from US officials in Paris—Angered Americans who cried—“Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.”Importance:1. US and French began seizing each other ships.2. Many Americans began to support idea of military and strong national defense.

THE ALIEN AND

SEDITION ACTS

Alien President could imprison or deport citizens of other countries residing in the USSedition—made it illegal to make malicious statements against the federal government.—Violated Free Speech

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

The Issue of Nullification: states void a federal law—challenge to federal authority.

Both states declared the government’s actions in the Alien and Sedition Act unconstitutional and refused to follow them.Significance: Increased tension between states and federal government. Clear defiance of the federal government’s power.

President #3: Thomas JeffersonElection of 1800 Controversy

-Jefferson won the popular vote in Dec. but he was unable to get a majority in the Electoral College.-Vote went to the House of Representatives—although it was controlled by Federalists, they elected Jefferson

The 12th Amendment

1804—Because Adams and Jefferson did not work well together, giving the runner up in the Presidential election did not work, this Amendment meant the electoral college would vote for the President and VP separately.

Marbury v Madison 1803—The Supreme Court gave themselves the power of Judicial Review—reviewing an act of Congress or the President and declaring them unconstitutional.

Louisiana Purchase Doubled the size of the US Constitution did not give President right to buy land but

Jefferson thought it was for the good of the country. Sent out Lewis and Clark to explore the region and

document the animals, people, and plant life of the region.

The Supreme Court Helps Establish National Supremacy

Marbury v Madison WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE CASE?

William Marbury versus James Madison

WHAT WAS THE CASE ABOUT?

Before James Adams left office he gave several judicial appointments. When Jefferson took over he refused to follow through on these—Marbury was one of the appointments that wanted his job and wanted the court to issue a writ of mandamus. This power had been established in the Judiciary Act of 1789.

CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE

Did Congress have the right to pass the Judiciary At of 1789.

SUPREME COURT RULING

The Court ruled that the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional. The Marshall court declared the Supreme Court as the final judge of constitutionality.

Case Year Importance

Marbury v Madison

1803The Court gave themselves the power to declare laws of Congress and acts of the President unconstitutional.

McCulloch v

Maryland

1819Challenged the Constitutionality of the Bank of the US. The Court said that “implied power” gave Congress the right to pass any laws that helped it carry out the functions of the gov’t.

Cohens v Virginia

1821Allowed for the Federal judicial review of state supreme court cases.

Gibbons v Ogden

1824The Court reaffirmed Congress’ right to regulate interstate commerce.

John Marshall served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from 1801-1835—Established the dominance of the national government over the states and shaped the future of American government.

James Madison and the War of 18124th President of US-Served from 1809-1817

END OF THE WAR OF 1812

Andrew Jackson became a famous war hero for his success in the Battle of New Orleans

Treaty of Ghent—1814—was a simple agreement to stop fighting, very little was resolved.

Many Americans were angry because the British made no promise to stop attacking US ships.

THE WAR OF 1812• Also known as the Second War for

Independence• Fought from 1812-1814 between US and Great

BritainCauses:

1. British Impressment: Britain was seizing American ships and demanding military service from people they assumed were British citizens.

2. Lack of the Respect for the US: Britain violated US neutrality rights during British and French conflicts.

3. Desire for More Land: Many Americans demanded the US take Canada and make it part of the U.S.

James Monroe and Foreign Affairs

Rush-Baggot Agreement 1815

-Naval agreement between US and Britain -both US and Britain agreed to remove warships from the Great Lakes-Later encouraged US and Canada to disarm their entire border

Florida Border Disputes

1. Florida owned by Spain (sided w/ Britain in War of 1812)2. Seminoles and Creeks in FL fought Georgian settlers3. US ordered Spain to rule Fl efficiently or give it up4. Spain ceded the territory to the US

Adams-Onis Treaty—1819

1. Treaty between US and Spain2. America got Florida and gave up claim to Texas3. Spain gave up claim to Oregon Territory

The Monroe Doctrine

1. US foreign policy from 1823-19142. Warned all countries to stay out of the Western Hemisphere and the US would stay out of their affairs

Significance of the Monroe Doctrine

1. US made no binding alliances for 100 years2. Used in the late 19th Century3. Later expanded by the Roosevelt Corollary