Overview: The First Three
Presidents
George Washington—1789-1797
Bill of Rights
• Written in 1789, Ratified in 1791
Hamilton’s Economic Plan
• Report on the Public Credit (1790) Providing for
the federal assumption and payment of both the
domestic and the foreign debt.
• His Report on a National Bank (1790) advocated
a private bank with semipublic functions. His
opinion on the implied powers of the Constitution
persuaded Washington of the constitutionality of
the bank.
• His Report on the Subject of Manufactures
(1791) presented the classical arguments in
support of protective duties (tariffs), he was
more inclined to use government subsidies than
to rely on a high tariff.
Washington Declares Neutrality--1793
• The French Revolution began in 1789 as
an uprising against the monarchy but it
became increasingly bloody and by 1793,
France was at war with the rest of Europe.
• 1793: Washington saw no good reason
why the US should enter the war on behalf
of either Britain or France.
• Federalists tend to prefer the British, while
Jeffersonians prefer the French.
Diplomacy Under Washington
Whiskey Rebellion--1794
John Adams—1797-1801
The XYZ Affair—Crisis With France
• John Adams faced a dilemma. His party
wanted war with France, but he wanted to
follow Washington’s neutrality policy.
• Adams sent 3 negotiators to France. The
French refused to meet with the
Americans unless they were granted a
loan and a bribe.
• Americans were outraged by this so-called
XYZ Affair
Quasi War with France
• From 1798-1800 the US fought an
undeclared naval war with France. This
mostly amounted to seizing each others’
ships.
• Adams never gave in to the pressure for a
full war with France.
The Alien & Sedition Act (1798)
• The Alien Act authorized the president to deport any
resident alien considered "dangerous to the peace and
safety of the United States." Enacted June 25, 1798, with a
two year expiration date.
• The Sedition Act made it a crime to publish "false,
scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government
or its officials. Enacted July 14, 1798, with an expiration
date of March 3, 1801.
• The Naturalization Act extended the duration of residence
required for aliens to become citizens, from five years to 14.
Enacted June 18, 1798, with no expiration date, it was
repealed in 1802.
• The Alien Enemies Act (official title: An Act Respecting Alien
Enemies) authorized the president to apprehend and deport
resident aliens if their home countries were at war with the
United States. Enacted July 6, 1798, with no expiration
date, it remains in effect today.
Thomas Jefferson—1801-1809
The Revolution of 1800
• Jefferson wins the
presidency
• Adams peacefully
steps down
• This is the first
peaceful transfer of
power from one party
to another in US
history.
Louisiana Purchase--1803
Marbury vs. Madison (1803)
Judicial Review
The Embargo Act of 1807
• President Jefferson and
congress responded to
French & British
interference with
American trade by
prohibiting all US
exports.
• This failed to persuade
the Europeans to
respect American
neutrality.
James Madison—1809-1817
Non-Intercourse Act of 1809
• In 1809, the Non-Intercourse Act reopened
the US to trade with all nations EXCEPT
France & Britain. Still...the US ships were
seized by both the British and French
navies.
Macon’s Bill Number 2
• Congress finally restored trade with all nations in
1810. However, if either Britain or France
stopped interfering with American trade, the US
would restore the embargo against the other
nation.
• President Madison accepted an ambiguous offer
by the French to stop seizing American ships
and the US restored the embargo against
Britain. Leading to…
War of 1812
• Eventually, after years of hostility war
between the US and Britain finally
reignited in 1812.
• After nearly 20 years of trying to maintain
its neutrality the US was finally drawn into
a full war with a European Power.