Early Republic Politics

Early Republic Politics

Washington's Administration

• ​Some members of Congress were eager to build a strong national government while others wanted to limit the power of the new government.

• in 1789 Congress created three executive departments -

• ​State Department - led by Thomas Jefferson, handles relations with other countries.

• ​Treasury Department- led by Alexander Hamilton, oversees the nations finances.

• ​War Department - led by Henry Knox, defends the nation.

• The leaders of each department, along with the Attorney General are known as the cabinet.

• Everything Washington did as the first president would establish a precedent to be followed by future Presidents.

Multiple Choice

Set up to handle relations with other countries.

• State Department

• Treasury Department

• War Department

• Attorney General's Office

Multiple Choice

Established to defend the nation.

• State Department

• Treasury Department

• War Department

• Attorney General's Office

Multiple Choice

Created to oversee the nation's finances

• State Department

• Treasury Department

• War Department

• Attorney General's Office

Multiple Choice

Who led the first State Department?

• Alexander Hamilton

• Thomas Jefferson

• James Madison

• Henry Knox

Explanation Slide...

Thomas Jefferson was the first Secretary of State.

Multiple Choice

Who led the first Treasury Department?

• Alexander Hamilton

• Thomas Jefferson

• James Madison

• Henry Knox

Explanation Slide...

Alexander Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury.

Pause and create at least two simple sketches about what you have in your notes so far.

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Sketch

​Washington's Administration

• Washington and his cabinet ran the executive branch with little help from Congress, creating a strong precedent.

• Congress passed a new tax on whiskey in 1791. Many farmers saw this as unfair and they eventually rebelled by refusing to pay and by tarring and feathering tax collectors.

• ​In 1794 Washington led over 10,000 troops into western Pennsylvania to stop the Whiskey Rebellion because he viewed it as a threat to the new governments authority.

• Some people, such as Thomas Jefferson, felt that this was unnecessary and threatened liberty. Washington believed it showed that the government was strong enough to enforce the law, making it different from the government under the Articles of Confederation had been.

Multiple Choice

What was the cause of the Whiskey Rebellion?

• Farmers were angry over a tax on whiskey passed in 1791.

• Republicans were angry about the Alien and Sedition Acts

• The Federalists were upset about Washington's Farewell Address

• Farmers in western Pennsylvania wanted the Articles of Confederation back.

Explanation Slide...

Farmers were angry over a tax on whiskey passed in 1791.

Multiple Choice

How did President Washington end the Whiskey Rebellion?

• He used the military

• He had the leaders tarred and feathered

• He overthrew the whiskey tax

• He fired Alexander Hamilton, who was responsible for the tax

Explanation Slide...

He marched 10,000 militia members into Pennsylvania as a show of force.

• Hamilton and Jefferson continually fought while they were in Washington's cabinet.

• Eventually Washington tired of politics and left office after two terms.

• In his 1796 farewell he advised the nation to avoid both political parties and foreign alliances.

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​Washington's Farewell

Multiple Select

Two “threats to the nation” from Washington’s Farewell Address

• Political parties

• Forming foreign alliances

• The Alien and Sedition Acts

• The Whiskey Rebellion

Explanation Slide...

The "spirit of party" (political parties) and problems in foreign affairs were major threats to the nation according to Washington's Farewell Address.

Pause and create at least two simple sketches about what you have in your notes so far.

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Sketch

The first two American political parties formed soon after Washington left office.

The Federalists led by Alexander Hamilton

The Democratic Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson

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The First Political Parties

Each party had a unique vision of what the United States should be.

Then, and now, people join political parties to work together with others who think as they do.

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The First Political Parties

A "Federalists America" would have...

• a government that avoided giving power to "the mob".

• the "best people" (educated and wealthy) in charge

• ​a strong national government that could unite the states.

• ​an economy based on manufacturing and trade.

• ​a national bank

• ​a flexible constitution

• ​an alliance with the British

​A "Republicans America" would have...

• ​faith in the common people and their judgement

• ​a more democratic form of government.

• ​a small government with limited powers.

• ​an economy based on agriculture

• ​a strict (inflexible) Constitution

• ​no national bank (it's unconstitutional)

• ​an alliance with the French

Multiple Select

Which choices below represent the views of Hamilton and the Federalists? (choose all that apply)

• Felt the Constitution meant exactly what it said, no more and no less.

• the "best people" should rule

• favored a strong national government that could unite the states

• had great faith in the goodness and wisdom of common people

• supported "loose construction", meaning a flexible constitution.

Multiple Choice

Which of these slogans would Hamilton and the Federalists support?

• "Power to the common people"

• "Farming, not factories"

• "Greatness through trade"

• "Keep state governments strong"

Multiple Choice

Which of these statements reflects a view held by Thomas Jefferson and the Republicans?

• The nation’s economy depends on bankers and merchants.

• Wealthy citizens should have the power to govern.

• The national bank supported the goals of farmers.

• Informed citizens can make good decisions for the country.

Multiple Select

Which choices below represent the views of Jefferson and the Republicans? (choose all that apply)

• Felt the Constitution meant exactly what it said, no more and no less.

• the "best people" should rule

• favored democracy over any other form of government

• had great faith in the goodness and wisdom of common people

• supported "loose construction", meaning a flexible constitution.

Pause and create at least two simple sketches about what you have in your notes so far.

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Sketch

• John Adams, a Federalist, was elected to be our 2nd President in 1796.

• Federalists in Congress passed four laws known as the Alien and Sedition Acts. They said that these laws were needed as protection against foreigners who might threaten the nation.

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​The Adams Administration

The real purpose of the Alien and Sedition Acts was to make life difficult for the Federalists' rivals, the Republicans.

​​Alien and Sedition Acts

The Sedition Act was used to punish Republican newspaper editors who insulted President Adams in print.

This was a measure approved and encouraged by Alexander Hamilton

​​Alien and Sedition Acts

Republicans saw the Alien and Sedition Acts as an attack on free speech by the federal government.

The Republicans went to state governments as a way to try and protect their liberties.

Protests

​Thomas Jefferson and James Madison wrote statements that the Congress had gone beyond the Constitution and states could nullify, or refuse to recognize, these laws.

Protests

Multiple Choice

How did the Republicans view the Alien and Sedition Acts?

• As an attack on the first amendment

• As a necessary measure to protect the country

• As a way of attacking President Adams

Explanation Slide...

As an attack on the right of free speech and the freedom of the press, both of which are part of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Only Virginia and Kentucky adopted the statements written by Jefferson and Madison so the protests died out.

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​Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

These resolutions were based on the idea that states have the right to judge if the federal government is using its power properly.

This idea would be debated in the future, especially regarding the issue of slavery.

​Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Pause and create at least two simple sketches about what you have in your notes so far.

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Sketch

Dropdown

The Alien and Sedition Acts were supported by the ​

Select answer

, Treasury Secretary​

Select answer

, and ​

Select answer

.

Dropdown

The Alien and Sedition Acts were opposed by the ​

Select answer

, ​the "Father of the Constitution"

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, and former Secretary of State​

Select answer

.

1.) Why were Jefferson, Knox, and Hamilton important?

​2.) Were there any similarities between Shays' Rebellion and the Whiskey Rebellion?

3.) Based on his actions with the Whiskey Rebellion how did Washington feel about the powers of the federal government?

1.) What was the Republican vision for the United States?

​2.) What was the Federalist vision for the United States?

3.) Why did Republicans protest against the Alien and Sedition Acts?

4.) According to the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions who could judge if the federal government used their powers properly?