The New Nation
The Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams
Early Republic: Washington & Adams
Introduction
Washington (1789-1797)
The Man
His Cabinet
His Foreign Policy
Political Parties Emerge
Adams (1797-1801)
The Man from Massachusetts
Quasi-War & Responses
Alien & Sedition Acts
Conclusion
Key Terms
• Pinckney’s Treaty
• Federalists
• Democratic-Republicans
• XYZ Affair
• Alien & Sedition Acts
• Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions
HBO series John Adams: Washington Takes Oath
George Washington (1789-1797)
•“The Man” – The only president who was unanimously elected and
unanimously re-elected.
•He could have served as President for Life
•Acted as a role model for all future presidents
•He gave his inaugural address to members of Congress, not to the large crowd
Washington’s Cabinet = Geographic Balance
Alexander
Hamilton (NY)
Henry Knox
(NE)
Thomas
Jefferson
(VA)
Edmund
Randolph
(VA)
Foreign Policy:
War In Europe
(1789-1815)
• French Revolution
began in 1789; France
vs. Europe (led by
British)
• US shipping is caught in
the middle, trying to
keep relations and
trade with both sides.
• Washington declares
the US to be neutral.
• Jefferson: French
• Hamilton and Adams:
British
Foreign Policy: Spain
Two Concerns
1. US farmers want access to
Mississippi River
2. Boundary dispute in Southeast
with Spain
Disputed Territorial Claims, Spain
and the United States, 1783–1796
Foreign Policy: Spain
Solution =
Pinckney’s Treaty (1796)
1. Granted Americans free access to
Mississippi River & New Orleans
2. 31° Parallel = US boundary with
Florida
 VERY popular in US
Political Parties
Democratic-Republicans
• Who: Jefferson & Madison
• Where: South & West
• Issues: States Rights & Small
Farmers
• Constitution: “Strict
Interpretation”
• Foreign Policy: Pro-French
Federalists
• Who: Hamilton, Washington,
& Adams
• Where: Northeast
• Issues: Strong Central
Government, Pro-business
• Constitution: “Loose
Interpretation”
• Foreign Policy: Pro-British
Interpreting the Constitution
(Democratic-Republicans vs. Federalists View)
Strict Interpretation
• Congress only had powers
specifically granted in the
Constitution
• All other powers were
reserved to the states:
Focus = States Rights
Loose Interpretation
• Elastic Clause: Congress
had power to “make all
laws Necessary & Proper”
to carry out its functions
Focus = Strong National
Government
Washington’s Farewell Address (1797)
In contemplating the causes, which may disturb our Union, it occurs as matter of serious
concern, that any ground should have been furnished for characterizing parties by
Geographical discriminations . . . One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within
particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot
shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heart-burnings, which spring from
these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those, who ought to be
bound together by fraternal affection. . . To the efficacy and permanency of your Union, a
Government for the whole is indispensable. No alliances, however strict, between the parts
can be an adequate substitute; they must inevitably experience the infractions and
interruptions, which all alliances in all times have experienced. . . Respect for its authority,
compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the
fundamental maxims of true Liberty. The basis of our political systems is the right of the
people to make and to alter their Constitutions of Government. But the Constitution which at
any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly
obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish
Government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established Government.
Election Of 1796
• The election of 1796 was the first time
American voters had to choose
between candidates from competing
political parties.
• John Adams = Federalist
• Thomas Jefferson = DemocraticRepublican
• Adams won; Jefferson = Vice President
John Adams
(“The Man from Massachusetts”)
• A lawyer from Massachusetts,
& member of Continental
Congress
• Diplomat in France during
American Revolution;
Washington’s Vice President
1735-1826
XYZ Affair (1797)
• French seized 300 US ships 1796-97
• US sent diplomats to France; French officials demanded a bribe
• HUGE Anti-French sentiment in US & led to “Quasi War” with France in
Caribbean
Alien & Sedition Acts
(1798)
Federalists Wanted To Silence
Foreigners & Critics:
President could expel any
foreigner determined to be a
threat to the nation
Illegal to defame or criticize
President or Government
Alien & Sedition Act
Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions
(1798)
1. States could judge constitutionality of
laws passed by Congress
2. If national government overstepped its
powers, states could nullify laws
3. Written by James Madison and Adams’
Vice-President, Thomas Jefferson


Crisis: was the country being ripped apart…?
This will lead later to Judicial Review by Federal Courts