Chapter 8
American Politics
• George Washington elected
president unanimously – took
office 1789
• Government began on
harmonious note but party
politics already emerging in
states
• Constitution did not address
political parties (election)
• Politics became passionate,
divisive, and extreme
American Politics
• Washington chose top leaders
for government
 John Adams – Vice President
 Thomas Jefferson – Secretary of
State
 Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of
the Treasury
 Henry Knox – Secretary of War
 John Jay – Chief Justice of
Supreme Court
American Politics
• Political divisions sprang up immediately with Hamilton’s financial
plan
• Economic goal was to encourage economic development / make US a
commercial and military power
• Much of plan modeled on Great Britain
American Politics
• Hamilton’s Plan
 Establish credit worthiness by
paying off US debt and assume
states’ debts
 Create a new national debt by
issuing new interest-bearing
bonds
 Creation of the Bank of the US – a
private corporation that would
hold public funds, issue bank
notes (currency), and make loans
to the government
American Politics
 To raise revenue, place tax on
whiskey production
 Proposed a tariff on imported
goods and subsidies to encourage
manufacturing
 He also proposed the
establishment of a national army
American Politics
• Hamilton’s plan was supported by
American financiers,
manufacturers, and merchants
• Plan hinged on close ties
w/Britain, US main trade partner
• Madison & Jefferson saw US
future in movement westward
not in ties to Britain
• Their perspective of America was
land of small, independent
farmers (Jefferson & Madison
both Southern planters)
• They also believed in free trade
American Politics
• To them, Hamilton was
endangering the fruits of
Revolution
• Speculators had bought up bonds
and paper notes issued during
Revolution for cents on the dollar
• Under Hamilton’s plan, speculators
would make reap huge reward
• Because transportation so bad,
backcountry farmers needed to
turn grain into whiskey – tax would
unfairly target them
American Politics
• Most opposition to Hamilton
from South
• Hamilton based legality of plan
on “elastic clause” – power of
Congress to enact laws for the
“general welfare”
• Jefferson & South called for
strict interpretation
(constructionist) of Constitution
• Washington on side of Hamilton
American Politics
• Agreement brokered between
Hamilton & Jefferson – agreed
to Hamilton’s financial plan in
exchange for national capital
located in the South on
Potomac River
• Exact site of future capital
chosen by Washington
• Construction of public
buildings in new capital was
mostly done by slaves
American Politics
• When French Revolution began in
1789 most Americans backed it
• Revolution took radical turn – war
broke out between France and
Britain
• Some Americans like Jefferson still
backed French despite excesses –
others believed France had fallen
into anarchy
• The war in Europe did much to
shape American politics as
“factions” sided with either France
or Britain
American Politics
• 1793 Washington issued
proclamation of Neutrality
• Francophiles welcomed arrival of
French envoy, Edmond Genet
• Genet began commissioning US
ships as privateers against Britain
causing Washington to demand his
recall
• Britain seized hundreds of US ships
trading w/French in Caribbean –
also impressing US sailors
American Politics
• 1794 The Jay Treaty
 Jay sent to London to protest British
actions / negotiate a treaty
 No British concessions on rights of US
shipping / impressment
 British did agree to leave forts in
Northwest
 US agreed to pay just pre-war debts
to Britain
 US-British trade strengthened
 Treaty resulted in public furor – sided
w/Britain against France
 Avoided war w/Britain
American Politics
• Two political parties emerged
in late 1700s: Federalists &
Republicans
• Federalists led by Hamilton /
Republicans led by Jefferson
& Madison
• Republicans saw Federalists
as “monarchists” while
Federalists saw Republicans
as in favor of anarchy
Federalists
Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, George
Washington*
Supported strong relations w/Britain
Saw French Revolution as dangerous anarchy
Supported national bank, strong currency,
manufacturing, trade w/tariffs
Supported national army and strong navy
Republicans
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison
Supported strong relations w/France
Supported French Revolution / Excesses
Supported State banks
Supported free trade w/no tariffs
Supported state militias / feared standing
army and navy unnecessary expense
Vision of America as dynamic world economic Vision of America as nation of small yeoman
and political power
farmers & limited government
Supported loose interpretation of Constitution Supported strict constructionist interpretation
of Constitution
Believed US should be led by educated elites / Believed office should be open to more
feared common mob mentality
common people / still elitist
American Politics
• Jefferson hired newspaper
publisher Philip Freneau for
state department and secretly
supported the National Gazette
• Newspaper made repeated
political and personal attacks on
Hamilton and Washington
• Freneau’s attacks even made
Jefferson nervous Jefferson saw
Washington as senile and
manipulated by Hamilton
American Politics
• The 1794 Whiskey Rebellion
 Western farmers blocked the new
tax on whiskey by attacking /
intimidating tax collectors
 Washington acted forcefully –
called for an army of 12,000 men
 Personally led the army west
against the armed farmers
(Hamilton second-in-command)
 Farmer band evaporated under
threat
 Washington believed force was
necessary to restore public order
and confidence in government
American Politics
• Washington served two
terms and retired to Mount
Vernon
• Farewell Address (published
in newspapers) warned US
against party factions,
defended his administration,
and advised US to stay clear
of European powers
President Washington
The Adams Presidency
• Election of 1796
 Federalists – John Adams &
Thomas Pinckney
 Republicans – Thomas Jefferson &
Aaron Burr
 Adams beat Jefferson but
Jefferson beat Pinckney
 Adams became president &
Jefferson became vice president
The Adams Presidency
• Both Britain and France attacking
American shipping
• XYZ Affair
 US sent diplomats to France to
negotiate new treaty – French
demanded bribes before they would
proceed - US public infuriated
 US engaged in quasi-war w/France –
US Navy in action
 Washington recalled from retirement
to lead army in case of invasion
 Adams negotiated peace w/France
The Adams Presidency
• 1798 Alien and Sedition Acts
 Federalists attempted to suppress
criticism – much of it from immigrants
 Naturalization Act extended residency
requirements for citizenship from 5 to 14
years
 Alien Act allowed deportation of persons
deemed dangerous
 Sedition Act allowed prosecution of
anyone criticizing government
 Target of legislation was Republican
press
 Several newspaper editors and other
critics arrested
The Adams Presidency
• Alien and Sedition Acts prompted
Jefferson and Madison to support
the Virginia and Kentucky Resolves
• Resolves attacked Sedition Act as
unconstitutional – asserted states
could nullify federal law (this
provision later removed)
• Even some Republicans alarmed –
saw this as threat to union
• Alien & Sedition Acts helped
weaken support for Federalist Party
The Adams Presidency
• Election of 1800
 Jefferson v. Adams
 Jefferson & running-mate Burr
tied in electoral votes at 73
 Election sent to House
 After 35 separate ballots – no
winner
 Hamilton intervened – hated
Jefferson but saw Burr as
dangerous – influenced
Federalist votes so that
Jefferson won presidency
Adams’ Presidency
Election Ad
The Adams Presidency
 To avoid another crisis – Congress
passed 12th Amendment providing
for separate presidential and vicepresidential ballots
 Beginning of Hamilton-Burr rivalry
 Burr later involved in plot to break
away a part of western US – put
on trial for treason
 Jefferson wanted to fry Burr but
Burr acquitted (beginning of
Jefferson – Marshall rivalry)
Slavery and Politics
• Jefferson saw election as triumph of Republican values
• Would not have been elected w/out slaves being counted
towards representation
• Petitions appeared in Congress calling for emancipation of
slaves (Franklin)
• Madison afraid of divisive issue – opposed any petitions from
slaves
Slavery and Politics
• Haitian Revolution
 Republicans who supported French
Revolution horrifies by Haitian
Revolution
 Slaves overthrew French government,
blocked invasion by British, and
defeated French army sent to put
down revolt
 Haiti – independent nation 1804
 White refugees from Haiti arrived in
US – spread tales of slave atrocities
causing fear in Southern whites
 Adams supported Revolution /
Jefferson sought to quarantine Haiti
Slavery and Politics
• Plot for slave insurrection in
Virginia led by Gabriel and
brothers
• Plan to kill whites, seize
Richmond, and demand abolition
• Plot discovered and 26 slaves
including Gabriel hanged
• Virginia tightened control over
free blacks and restricted
masters from freeing slaves – any
slave freed in Virginia had to
leave the state or revert back to
slavery
The Jefferson Presidency
• Jefferson’s inaugural speech
conciliatory: “We are all
Republicans, we are all
Federalists”
• Judiciary Act 1801
 Signed by Adams before leaving
office
 Established 16 circuit courts and
16 new judges – “midnight judges”
 Act repealed by new Congress
 Jefferson refused to seat new
judges
The Jefferson Presidency
• Marbury v. Madison
 Wm Marbury sued Sec State
Madison to get judgeship appointed
by Adams
 Marshall’s dilemma
 Court ruled that though Marbury may
be entitled to his judgeship the
Supreme Court had no power under
Constitution to order Madison to
deliver it
 Win or loss?
 Established precedent of judicial
review (later extended to state laws)
The Jefferson Presidency
• Louisiana Purchase
 US concerned about foreign ownership of
port of New Orleans
 New Orleans and territory obtained by
Napoleon – France planned new empire
in western America
 Napoleon sent troops to New Orleans –
diverted to Haiti (Haitian Revolution)
 Spain closed port to US
 Jefferson sent envoys to France to
attempt to buy New Orleans
 Defeat of French in Haiti soured
Napoleon on American empire – needed
money to begin new campaign in Europe
The Jefferson Presidency
 Offered not only New Orleans but
entire Louisiana territory
 US reps, Livingston and Monroe,
bought all for $15 million
 Jefferson and government not sure if
sale was legal – drafted a
constitutional amendment
 Ironically, Jefferson used Hamilton’s
financial system to finance the deal
 Everyone, including Federalists such
as Hamilton, overlooked the problems
of legality and ratified the treaty (sale)
 Sale guaranteed Republican reelection
The Jefferson Presidency
• Jefferson dispatched expedition to
explore and map new territory –
Lewis & Clark
• Looked also for Northwest Passage
• Extended journey to Pacific Ocean
• Opened up West to trade
w/Indians
• Two other expeditions: Thomas
Freeman (Red River) and Zebulon
Pike (Colorado region)
Lewis and Clark
The Jefferson Presidency
• The Barbary War
 Barbary states in North Africa were paid
tribute to keep from preying on US ships
 Pirates had seized 13 American ships and
enslaved >100 sailors – US paid hundreds
of thousands for ransom
 When Pirates demanded a higher tribute,
Jefferson refused
 Tripoli declared war and Jefferson
dispatched naval squadron (US Navy had
only 7 total frigates)
 The USS Philadelphia ran aground - had
to be destroyed (Stephen Decatur)
The Jefferson Presidency
• Ex-US envoy and 9 marines with
500 mercenaries attacked and
captured Tripoli city of Derna
• Blockade by US Navy (the one
Jefferson did not want) and
capture of Derna resulted in
peace treaty
• Another war w/Barbary states
would flare up and in 1815 US
Navy won several victories
resulting in final peace
The Jefferson Presidency
• War between Britain and France
caused both to seize American ships
• Britain resumed impressment – took
>6,000 US sailors
• HMS Leopard fired on and boarded US
warship USS Chesapeake
• Jefferson passed the Embargo Act
forbidding trade w/Britain and France
• US exports plummeted 80% devastated US economy
• Signed Non-Intercourse Act – banning
trade only w/Britain & France but
would reverse if either side rescinded
its edicts against US shipping
Jefferson Presidency
The Madison Presidency
• James Madison hand-picked successor
to Jefferson – won election easily
• Trade still critical issue – signed
Macon’s Bill No. 2
• Resumed trade but if either Britain or
France ceased interfering w/American
rights the president could impose an
embargo on the other
• Napoleon announced France repealed
decrees against neutral shipping –
Britain continued seizing US ships and
impressing sailors (Orders in Council)
• Madison imposed embargo on Britain
The Madison Presidency
• Push for War
 Faction of Congress - War Hawks wanted to defend national honor
and annex Canada
 Accused Britain of inciting Indian attacks on US settlements
 Southern War Hawks wanted to annex Florida
 Florida refuge for runaway slaves and Indian tribes attacking
settlements
 Uphold principle of free trade & neutral rights
The Madison Presidency
• Under Jefferson, US pursued plan
to remove Indians to the West
though officially back Washington’s
view of assimilation
• Jefferson encouraged traders to get
Indians in debt and pay off debt
w/land
• Indians split – some advocated
taking up white ways w/out losing
Indian culture while others wanted
no part of whites
The Madison Presidency
• Shawnee brothers Tecumseh and
religious prophet Tenskwatawa
wanted complete separation from
whites
• Tecumseh sought to build pan-Indian
alliance against whites
• 1810 – Tecumseh called for attacks on
American settlements
• 1811 – Battle of Tippecanoe – General
William Henry Harrison destroyed
Tecumseh’s home base
• Tecumseh later killed in battle
w/American forces during War of
1812
The War of 1812
• Tecumseh’s frontier attacks aided by
British along w/British interference
w/trade caused Madison to ask for
war
• Federalists and Northern states voted
against war – South and West in favor
• First war to be declared by Congress
against another country – also
slimmest margin of approval
• US ill-prepared for war – nearly
bankrupt as Northern financial
interests denied loans and Bank of
United States’ charter expired in 1811
The War of 1812
• Two attempts to invade Canada
were easily repelled and British
blockade of US ports destroyed US
commerce
• US saw some naval victories – USS
Constitution
• US: 7 frigates GB: 34 frigates and 7
ships-of-the-line
• US privateers captured 1300+
British ships
• Battle of Lake Erie – US under
Oliver Perry built fleet on lake to
counter British fleet and won battle
The War of 1812
• British preoccupied with war
w/Napoleon
• In 1814 British defeated France and
turned full force on US
• British won victories over US at
Detroit and Niagara
• British landed force that captured
and burned Washington DC – later
attacked and were turned back at
Baltimore
• Fort McHenry and Star-Spangled
Banner
The War of 1812
• US forces w/Indian allies led by Andrew
Jackson defeated hostile Creeks at Battle of
Horseshoe Bend
• Forced Indians (including allies) to cede 23
million acres to US
• Jackson placed in charge at New Orleans –
prepared for British invasion
• 1814 Treaty of Ghent – Status Quo
Antebellum
• Treaty ended war but word slow – Battle of
New Orleans fought after war over
• Huge US victory – 2,100 British casualties
versus 71 US
• Battle propelled Jackson to National
prominence
The War of 1812
• War broke the back of Indian resistance east of the Mississippi
• Opened lands to settlement
• War also increased Canadian nationalism and American separateness
from Europe
• Federalists met at Hartford Convention and called for elimination of
3/5 Compromise and Southern domination in Congress
• Wanted 2/3 vote for declarations of war and restriction on trade
• Federalist lack of enthusiasm for war caused loss of support and the
death of the party