Early Republic: Washington & Adams
I.
II.
Intro
Washington (1789-1797)
A. The Man
B. Cabinet
C. Foreign Policy
D. Parties Emerge
III. Adams (1797-1801)
A. “The Man”
B. Quasi-War &
Responses
IV. Conc.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Key Terms
Pinckney’s Treaty
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
XYZ Affair
Alien & Sedition Acts
Virginia & Kentucky
Resolutions
HBO series Washington takes oath
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2o9mx5SCs&feature=related
Colbert-near-president obama
(Fast forward 60 seconds)
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-reportvideos/216605/january-22-2009/near-president-obama
George Washington
(1789-1797)
•“The Man”
• Acted as a role model
for all future
presidents
Washington’s Plantation
Mount Vernon
House & Servant’s Hall
House & Kitchen
George Washington to Burgess Ball
New York, January, 18. 1790.
Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 26. of December came duly to hand,
but occurences of various kinds have prevented an
acknowledgement of it till this time.
I am not at all uneasy at the delay, or impatient for the
settlement of the estate accounts of my deceased
Mother; I am persuaded they will be rendered in due
time, and to the satisfaction of all concerned—To pay
all she owed is my first wish—to render unto every
one their due is the next—The method which has
been taken to dispose of the effects is, I presume, the
best; and I am satisfied therewith—That none of the
families of Negroes have been parted (where it could
be avoided) is very agreeable to me.
George Washington to Burgess Ball
I am well pleased that Mr Carter is inclined to take
possession of my lots in Fredericksburg1—We shall
not disagree about the price, or in the mode of
payment; of which be so good as to inform him.2
I hope you have got through your difficulties on
account of your surety-ship for Major Willis, and
without loss—when you engaged in this business
you neglected the advice of the wise man—than
which no better I believe is to be found in his whole
book—or among all his sayings “Beware of suretyship”3—Offer my love and good wishes to Fanny
and the family—accept the same yourself and those
of Mrs Washington. I am &ca
G. Washington.
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….
• Washington declares: US
= Neutral
Napoleon
(1769-1821)
Foreign Policy: Spain
Two Concerns
1. US farmers want
access to
Mississippi River
2. Boundary dispute in
Southeast
Disputed Territorial Claims, Spain
and the United States, 1783–1796
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Foreign Policy: Spain
Solution =
Pinckney’s Treaty (1796)
1. Granted Americans free
access to Mississippi
River & New Orleans
2. 31° Parallel = US
New Orleans Under My Wings
boundary with Florida
 VERY popular in US
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Political Parties
Federalists
Alexander
Hamilton
• Who: Hamilton,
Washington, & Adams
• Where: Northeast
• Issues: Strong Central
Government, Pro-business
George
Washington
• Constitution: “Loose
Interpretation”
• Foreign Policy: ProBritish
Interpreting the Constitution
(Federalists View)
Loose Interpretation
• Elastic Clause:
Congress had power to
“make all laws Necessary
& Proper” to carry out its
functions
Focus = Strong
National Government
Alexander Hamilton by
John Trumbull, 1792
Image Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Political Parties
Democratic-Republicans
• Who: Jefferson & Madison
• Where: South & West
• Issues: States Rights &
James
Madison
Small Farmers
• Constitution: “Strict
Interpretation”
Thomas
Jefferson
• Foreign Policy: Pro-French
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Interpreting the Constitution
(Democratic-Republican’s View)
Strict Interpretation
• Congress only had powers
specifically granted in the
Constitution
• All other powers were
reserved to the states:
Focus = States Rights
Thomas Jefferson by
Rembrandt Peale, 1805
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Washington’s Farewell Address
(1797)
• Condemned Political
Parties
Established precedent of
Presidents serving only
two terms
George Washington,
by John Trumble
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Election Of 1796
(Candidates & Results)
• John Adams = Federalist
• Thomas Jefferson =
Democratic-Republican
• Adams won; Jefferson = Vice
President
John Adams
(“The Man”)
• A lawyer from
Massachusetts, & member
of Continental Congress
• Diplomat in France during
American Revolution;
Washington’s Vice
President
1735-1826
John Adams’ Homes
Correspondence; John & Abigail
Source: Massachusetts Historical Society; Adams Papers Digital Edition
John Adams’ Receipts
Source: SCI/series 45X Massachusetts State Archives Collection, v.210:p.295
Correspondence; John & Abigail
(Abigail to John March 31-April 5, 1776)
“I long to hear that you have declared
an independency -- and by the way in
the new Code of Laws which I suppose
it will be necessary for you to make I
desire you would Remember the
Ladies, and be more generous and
favourable to them than your ancestors.
Do not put such unlimited power into
the hands of the Husbands. Remember
all Men would be tyrants if they could.
If perticuliar care and attention is not
paid to the Laidies we are determined
to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold
ourselves bound by any Laws in which
we have no voice, or Representation.”
Source: Massachusetts Historical Society; Adams Papers Digital Edition
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
Property Protected, a la
Francoise During XYZ Affair
Image Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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
Alien & Sedition Acts: Response
• Presidential critics =
Furious!
• Respond with…
Congress, 1798
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…

Crisis: was the country
being ripped apart…?
James
Madison
VP
Thomas
Jefferson
Early Republic: Washington & Adams
I.
II.
Intro
Washington (1789-1797)
A. The Man
B. Cabinet
C. Foreign Policy
D. Parties Emerge
III. Adams (1797-1801)
A. “The Man”
B. Quasi-War &
Responses
IV. Conc.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Key Terms
Pinckney’s Treaty
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
XYZ Affair
Alien & Sedition Acts
Virginia & Kentucky
Resolutions