Chapter 6-Section 1 Notes

American I

Mr. Diskin

Setting the scene

• Although most Americans embraced the system of government set up by the Constitution; they would still argue about the role of the federal government in their lives

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Hamilton’s Program

• Biggest problem facing new nation- debt
• He saw this problem as a way for the national government to take the lead and show that it can work

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A Deal with the South

• Southern states- did not want to pay for the debt of northern states
• In exchange for a promise of a national capitol in the south, the southern states agreed; and a compromise was reached

Assuming State Debts

• Federal government- assumed state debts
• Answer was simple, if the United States owes other countries money, then they would not want to see the government collapse; thus giving the new country a better chance to succeed

Hamilton’s Strategy

• Creditors went along w/ this plan because Hamilton had a specific budget outlined
• The country would pay off the debt by taxing imported goods; a tariff
• Also Congress would tax whiskey; another way to raise funds
• Hamilton agreed to only pay off creditors a little at a time; that way they would want the U.S. to still be around; and they would pay interest

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Hamilton’s opponents

• Many did not want the federal government involved in state and local affairs
• They regarded Hamilton’s tax policies similar to the British

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Hamilton vs Jefferson

• Secretary of state Thomas Jefferson- opposed many of Hamilton’s ideas
• Jefferson- strict constructionist- only believed implied powers of the Constitution when it was absolutely necessary
• Hamilton- Loose constructionist- saw Constitution as a loose framework of laws
• Jefferson felt Hamilton had abandoned the ideals of the American revolution

Americans split over French Revolution

• Federalists- did not support it
• Anti-federalists- did support it; saw it as an extension of the American revolution

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Citizen Genet

• Genet- French minister to the U.S.
• Wanted to gain support of U.S.- French were at war w/ Britain
• Without permission of the U.S. government; he tried to convince private citizens to fight
• He was taken off his duties; and married a U.S. citizen for fear of execution in France

Proclaiming American Neutrality

• America officially claimed neutrality in April 1793 in the war of Britain vs. France
• Despite this, they had difficulties not getting involved in the war; the British were seizing U.S. ships and moving in on territories in the Northwest

Jay’s Treaty

• Chief justice John Jay- sent to London to negotiate an agreement to avoid war w/ Britain
• Jay’s Treaty- British agreed to leave the forts in the Northwest Territory; unable to convince British to leave U.S. ships alone; some Americans were angered by this fact

The Whiskey Rebellion

• Western PA- many people refused to pay the tax on whiskey
• It was the only drink farmers could make into drink; and was almost used as currency
• This led to the Whiskey Rebellion- rebels closed courts; Washington got the military involved and the Rebellion was squashed

Jeffersonian Republicans

• Opposed the views of the Federalists
• They along with the Federalists was one of the first two political parties
• While they opposed the Federalists; they still supported the government created by the Constitution

Election of 1796

• Washington chose not to run for a third term
• John Adams ran for president against Thomas Jefferson
• Adams won in a close race

Washington Says Farewell

• Washington made his announcement that he was not running in his Farewell address in 1796
• Washington remained above the political fray
• In his farewell address he warned against political parties and joining foreign alliances