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3.10 Shaping a New Republic

7 min readdecember 22, 2022

J

James Glackin

J

James Glackin

Domestic Policies Under President George Washington

was elected unanimously as the first President of the USA in 1789. He would also be elected unanimously in 1792. He would soon establish a cabinet, which included as Secretary of State and as Secretary of the Treasury.

🎥Watch: AP US History - Washington's Presidency

The new government had to draft the , as promised during ratification. The was adopted in 1791, with the help of , and included the first ten amendments to the Constitution. There were initially twelve amendments proposed, but the ten that were ratified became known as the . The was another law that would set the number of justices on the Supreme Court as well establish the district and appellate courts.

Hamilton's Financial Plan

, the new Secretary of the Treasury, undertook the formidable task of fixing the economic ills of America. The U.S. had accumulated about $54 million in debt that it had borrowed from other countries (France) and the states. There was also a problem with inflation.

As a leading Federalist, Hamilton wanted to find a way to bind the nation to the federal government better. Hamilton wrote a Financial Report with recommendations of action for the president and Congress. It included three principle ideas:

  • US government would take on the responsibility of paying the remaining state debts. US promised to fund its foreign and domestic obligations at full face value.

  • Protect the young nation’s “infant” industries and collect adequate revenues at the same time by imposing high tariffs on imported goods.

  • Create a national bank for depositing government funds and printing banknotes that would provide the basis for a stable US currency.

Of these, the only part that Congress would accept was the paying off of the states' debts.

🎥Watch: AP US History - Jefferson vs. Hamilton

What's a Tariff?

It's important to understand what a is because you're going to see them a lot of the course of history. The US didn't have income taxes until the early 1900s, so as a result, the federal government's chief source of income was tariffs. Tariffs are taxes on imports.

So basically if Great Britain sells tea to the US, the government places a on it upon arrival. When the government raises tariffs, it discourages other countries from selling to the US, so industries in the US as a result, have the ability to compete with that product. No longer will US industries have to compete with goods being shipped in from another country, because that country doesn't want to pay the .

Whiskey Rebellion

One of the first challenges to Hamilton’s program was the of 1794. Farmers in southwestern Pennsylvania protested harshly against the whiskey tax, which was the government's primary source of money. President Washington would send a militia to western Pennsylvania and squash the uprising. Federalists supported this action, while Antifederalists hated it.

These political differences within the U.S. would create informal political parties that differed in their view of government.

Foreign Affairs Under Washington

The differences between the above two parties were accelerated when the erupted in France in 1789. Jefferson’s Democratic-Republicans (Jeffersonians) were thrilled when the French masses overthrew King Louis XVI. Federalists were opposed to this “mobocracy” of people controlling the national, royal government. Governments around the world feared that their government might be the next victim.

In the early 1790s, Britain and France were locked into another war. America still had a military alliance with France from the Revolutionary War. Jeffersonians were very eager for America to support this alliance and go to war in helping the liberty-loving French defeat the British.

However, thought that honoring this alliance would not benefit America because we had too many domestic issues to stabilize. These concerns made him issue the Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793, which kept America out of the war and gave the U.S. time to build its nation.

The final foreign policy problem during Washington’s tenure was that of the British presence along the northern border. Britain had forts along the Great Lakes and was aiding Indians against America. All of this violated the terms of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The British navy was also impressing American ships and sailors (basically forcing them to become British ships and sailors) in the British West Indies, in which they were illegally seizing both as their property.

Washington tried to use diplomacy to solve this problem by sending John Jay to London in 1794 in hopes of negotiating a favorable deal. The highly controversial was the result. Britain rejected the neutral rights and they would continue to search American vessels on the high seas. In addition, there would be no compensation for ships confiscated until American debt to Britain was paid off. The results were not good for the U.S. The effects of this treaty further divided the two political parties in America.

🎥Watch: AP US History - The Constitution and the New Republic

President John Adams

Washington had successfully bid farewell to America in 1796 and established the two-term tradition in America for future presidencies. Washington wanted to set a precedent for a peaceful transition of power, rather than serving as president for life (which could have made the presidency seem like an elected monarchy). In his he urged America to:

  • Stay out of foreign alliances.

  • Not to get involved in political affairs.

  • Not to form political parties.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FUSCapitol1800.jpg?alt=media&token=e26ca7c6-5e45-4b21-ab52-b099896a1127

The year 1800 brought about a host of changes in government, in particular the first successful and peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another. But the year was important for another reason: the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (pictured here in 1800) was finally opened to be occupied by Congress, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the courts of the District of Columbia. William Russell Birch, A view of the Capitol of Washington before it was burnt down by the British, c. 1800. Wikimedia.

In the election of 1796, Federalist narrowly defeated in the new as president. Because of the way the Constitution was at the time, , in second place, automatically became the vice president.

The first issue that Adams had to manage was a conflict with France. France was upset at the results of because it benefited their enemy, Britain. France started to seize many American merchant ships in 1797.  

To resolve this, Adams sent three American diplomats to France to negotiate in 1797. France had deployed three secret diplomats, named X, Y, and Z, to the talks. These three men wanted expensive bribe money from the Americans for the mere opportunity to talk with France. Negotiations quickly failed, and the Americans returned home.  

Americans were furious upon learning of these bribes and the disrespect of the . Unofficial fighting with France was the result from 1798-1800, in a conflict known as the . Private American ships fought the French navy. 

However, no official, prolonged war took place under the leadership of Adams, who was credited with keeping America out of a war with France. Our military alliance with France ended under Adams. These results allowed America to grow and prosper as a nation.

Domestically, the Federalists and the Jeffersonians were accelerating their conflict with each other. The Federalists created the , which slowed the naturalization process and restricted free speech. This was seen as a political attack on Jeffersonians, allowing the Federalist Party (which was in power at the time) to suppress political opposition.

Newer citizens tended to support the , so the Alien Act made it more difficult for immigrants to become citizens. The Sedition Act also made it a crime to publish false, scandalous, or malicious statements about the government or its officials. Critics argued that the Sedition Act was a violation of the First Amendment, which guarantees the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press. The only journalists who were prosecuted under the Sedition Act were editors of Democratic-Republican newspapers.

By 1800, America had faced and survived numerous domestic and foreign challenges to its future and prosperity. It had earned its freedom from Britain and was determined to establish a democratic example for the world.  

and responded to these acts with drafted documents. Jefferson secretly wrote the , and Madison wrote the . Both of them were simply saying that the federal government had legally exceeded its power with the Alien and Sedition Laws. They argued that since the states created the Constitution, the states had the right to nullify, or not follow, any legislation that they deemed necessary.

After the Federalist Party lost power in the 1800 election, the , which was led by Jefferson, took control of the government. As part of its efforts to roll back the Federalist policies of the previous administration, the Democratic-Republicans repealed the Alien and Sedition Acts.

Key Terms to Review (22)

Alexander Hamilton

: Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, first Secretary of the Treasury (1789–1795), and influential interpreter of the U.S. Constitution.

Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798

: These were four laws passed by the Federalist-dominated Congress, aimed at suppressing dissent against the federal government. They made it harder for immigrants to become citizens (Naturalization Act), allowed for the deportation of foreigners deemed dangerous (Alien Friends Act), permitted the arrest and deportation of foreigners in times of war (Alien Enemies Act), and criminalized making false statements that were critical of the federal government (Sedition Act).

Bill of Rights

: The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791, that outline and guarantee certain individual rights and freedoms.

Democratic-Republican Party

: The Democratic-Republican Party was an American political party formed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in 1791–93 to oppose the centralizing policies of the new Federalist Party run by Alexander Hamilton, who was Secretary of the Treasury and chief architect of George Washington's administration.

Electoral College

: The Electoral College is a group of people appointed by each state who formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States.

Farewell Address

: A Farewell Address is a speech given by an individual leaving a position or place. In U.S history context, it often refers to George Washington’s farewell address when he decided not to seek re-election after his second term as President.

French Revolution

: The French Revolution was a period of radical political and societal change in France from 1789 to 1799. It led to the end of monarchy, rise of radical political factions, and eventually Napoleon's rule.

George Washington

: George Washington was the first President of the United States (1789-1797) and one of the Founding Fathers. He led America to victory in the Revolutionary War, helping establish the country's independence from Britain.

Hamilton's Financial Plan

: This was a series of measures proposed by Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, to stabilize the U.S. economy after the Revolutionary War. The plan included paying off war debts, creating a national bank, and imposing tariffs and excise taxes.

James Madison

: James Madison was an American statesman, diplomat and Founding Father who served as the fourth President of United States (1809-1817). He is hailed as "Father of Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Jay’s Treaty

: Signed in 1794, this treaty resolved issues remaining from the Treaty of Paris of 1783. It led to a decade of peaceful trade between America and Britain during the French Revolutionary Wars.

John Adams

: John Adams was the second president of the United States (1797-1801) and one of the Founding Fathers. He played a key role in drafting the U.S. Constitution and was a strong advocate for independence from Britain.

Judiciary Act of 1789

: The Judiciary Act of 1789 was a law passed by the first U.S Congress that created the federal judiciary system, including the Supreme Court.

Kentucky Resolutions

: Political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799 by Thomas Jefferson arguing that states have rights to declare unconstitutional any acts of Congress not authorized by Constitution.

Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793

: Issued by President George Washington, this proclamation declared that America would remain neutral in conflicts between European nations including France and Britain following the onset of the French Revolutionary Wars.

Quasi War

: The Quasi War was an undeclared war fought almost entirely at sea between the United States and France from 1798 to 1800, which broke out during John Adams' presidency.

Tariff

: A tariff is a tax imposed on imported goods and services. It is used to protect domestic industries from foreign competition by making imported goods more expensive.

Thomas Jefferson

: Thomas Jefferson was an American Founding Father who served as the third President of the United States (1801–1809). He is also known for writing the Declaration of Independence.

U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

: The U.S. Capitol is a building where the United States Congress meets. It's where laws are made and important national decisions are discussed.

Virginia Resolutions

: These were a set of resolutions passed in 1798, written by James Madison, which also argued against Alien and Sedition Acts on grounds of states' rights and constitutional interpretation.

Whiskey Rebellion

: The Whiskey Rebellion was an uprising in 1794 by farmers in western Pennsylvania against federal excise tax on whiskey. It was significant because it tested the new government's ability to enforce its laws.

XYZ Affair

: The XYZ Affair was a political and diplomatic episode in 1797 and 1798, early in the administration of John Adams, involving a confrontation between U.S. diplomats and French officials that led to an undeclared war called Quasi-War.

3.10 Shaping a New Republic

7 min readdecember 22, 2022

J

James Glackin

J

James Glackin

Domestic Policies Under President George Washington

was elected unanimously as the first President of the USA in 1789. He would also be elected unanimously in 1792. He would soon establish a cabinet, which included as Secretary of State and as Secretary of the Treasury.

🎥Watch: AP US History - Washington's Presidency

The new government had to draft the , as promised during ratification. The was adopted in 1791, with the help of , and included the first ten amendments to the Constitution. There were initially twelve amendments proposed, but the ten that were ratified became known as the . The was another law that would set the number of justices on the Supreme Court as well establish the district and appellate courts.

Hamilton's Financial Plan

, the new Secretary of the Treasury, undertook the formidable task of fixing the economic ills of America. The U.S. had accumulated about $54 million in debt that it had borrowed from other countries (France) and the states. There was also a problem with inflation.

As a leading Federalist, Hamilton wanted to find a way to bind the nation to the federal government better. Hamilton wrote a Financial Report with recommendations of action for the president and Congress. It included three principle ideas:

  • US government would take on the responsibility of paying the remaining state debts. US promised to fund its foreign and domestic obligations at full face value.

  • Protect the young nation’s “infant” industries and collect adequate revenues at the same time by imposing high tariffs on imported goods.

  • Create a national bank for depositing government funds and printing banknotes that would provide the basis for a stable US currency.

Of these, the only part that Congress would accept was the paying off of the states' debts.

🎥Watch: AP US History - Jefferson vs. Hamilton

What's a Tariff?

It's important to understand what a is because you're going to see them a lot of the course of history. The US didn't have income taxes until the early 1900s, so as a result, the federal government's chief source of income was tariffs. Tariffs are taxes on imports.

So basically if Great Britain sells tea to the US, the government places a on it upon arrival. When the government raises tariffs, it discourages other countries from selling to the US, so industries in the US as a result, have the ability to compete with that product. No longer will US industries have to compete with goods being shipped in from another country, because that country doesn't want to pay the .

Whiskey Rebellion

One of the first challenges to Hamilton’s program was the of 1794. Farmers in southwestern Pennsylvania protested harshly against the whiskey tax, which was the government's primary source of money. President Washington would send a militia to western Pennsylvania and squash the uprising. Federalists supported this action, while Antifederalists hated it.

These political differences within the U.S. would create informal political parties that differed in their view of government.

Foreign Affairs Under Washington

The differences between the above two parties were accelerated when the erupted in France in 1789. Jefferson’s Democratic-Republicans (Jeffersonians) were thrilled when the French masses overthrew King Louis XVI. Federalists were opposed to this “mobocracy” of people controlling the national, royal government. Governments around the world feared that their government might be the next victim.

In the early 1790s, Britain and France were locked into another war. America still had a military alliance with France from the Revolutionary War. Jeffersonians were very eager for America to support this alliance and go to war in helping the liberty-loving French defeat the British.

However, thought that honoring this alliance would not benefit America because we had too many domestic issues to stabilize. These concerns made him issue the Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793, which kept America out of the war and gave the U.S. time to build its nation.

The final foreign policy problem during Washington’s tenure was that of the British presence along the northern border. Britain had forts along the Great Lakes and was aiding Indians against America. All of this violated the terms of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The British navy was also impressing American ships and sailors (basically forcing them to become British ships and sailors) in the British West Indies, in which they were illegally seizing both as their property.

Washington tried to use diplomacy to solve this problem by sending John Jay to London in 1794 in hopes of negotiating a favorable deal. The highly controversial was the result. Britain rejected the neutral rights and they would continue to search American vessels on the high seas. In addition, there would be no compensation for ships confiscated until American debt to Britain was paid off. The results were not good for the U.S. The effects of this treaty further divided the two political parties in America.

🎥Watch: AP US History - The Constitution and the New Republic

President John Adams

Washington had successfully bid farewell to America in 1796 and established the two-term tradition in America for future presidencies. Washington wanted to set a precedent for a peaceful transition of power, rather than serving as president for life (which could have made the presidency seem like an elected monarchy). In his he urged America to:

  • Stay out of foreign alliances.

  • Not to get involved in political affairs.

  • Not to form political parties.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FUSCapitol1800.jpg?alt=media&token=e26ca7c6-5e45-4b21-ab52-b099896a1127

The year 1800 brought about a host of changes in government, in particular the first successful and peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another. But the year was important for another reason: the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (pictured here in 1800) was finally opened to be occupied by Congress, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the courts of the District of Columbia. William Russell Birch, A view of the Capitol of Washington before it was burnt down by the British, c. 1800. Wikimedia.

In the election of 1796, Federalist narrowly defeated in the new as president. Because of the way the Constitution was at the time, , in second place, automatically became the vice president.

The first issue that Adams had to manage was a conflict with France. France was upset at the results of because it benefited their enemy, Britain. France started to seize many American merchant ships in 1797.  

To resolve this, Adams sent three American diplomats to France to negotiate in 1797. France had deployed three secret diplomats, named X, Y, and Z, to the talks. These three men wanted expensive bribe money from the Americans for the mere opportunity to talk with France. Negotiations quickly failed, and the Americans returned home.  

Americans were furious upon learning of these bribes and the disrespect of the . Unofficial fighting with France was the result from 1798-1800, in a conflict known as the . Private American ships fought the French navy. 

However, no official, prolonged war took place under the leadership of Adams, who was credited with keeping America out of a war with France. Our military alliance with France ended under Adams. These results allowed America to grow and prosper as a nation.

Domestically, the Federalists and the Jeffersonians were accelerating their conflict with each other. The Federalists created the , which slowed the naturalization process and restricted free speech. This was seen as a political attack on Jeffersonians, allowing the Federalist Party (which was in power at the time) to suppress political opposition.

Newer citizens tended to support the , so the Alien Act made it more difficult for immigrants to become citizens. The Sedition Act also made it a crime to publish false, scandalous, or malicious statements about the government or its officials. Critics argued that the Sedition Act was a violation of the First Amendment, which guarantees the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press. The only journalists who were prosecuted under the Sedition Act were editors of Democratic-Republican newspapers.

By 1800, America had faced and survived numerous domestic and foreign challenges to its future and prosperity. It had earned its freedom from Britain and was determined to establish a democratic example for the world.  

and responded to these acts with drafted documents. Jefferson secretly wrote the , and Madison wrote the . Both of them were simply saying that the federal government had legally exceeded its power with the Alien and Sedition Laws. They argued that since the states created the Constitution, the states had the right to nullify, or not follow, any legislation that they deemed necessary.

After the Federalist Party lost power in the 1800 election, the , which was led by Jefferson, took control of the government. As part of its efforts to roll back the Federalist policies of the previous administration, the Democratic-Republicans repealed the Alien and Sedition Acts.

Key Terms to Review (22)

Alexander Hamilton

: Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, first Secretary of the Treasury (1789–1795), and influential interpreter of the U.S. Constitution.

Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798

: These were four laws passed by the Federalist-dominated Congress, aimed at suppressing dissent against the federal government. They made it harder for immigrants to become citizens (Naturalization Act), allowed for the deportation of foreigners deemed dangerous (Alien Friends Act), permitted the arrest and deportation of foreigners in times of war (Alien Enemies Act), and criminalized making false statements that were critical of the federal government (Sedition Act).

Bill of Rights

: The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791, that outline and guarantee certain individual rights and freedoms.

Democratic-Republican Party

: The Democratic-Republican Party was an American political party formed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in 1791–93 to oppose the centralizing policies of the new Federalist Party run by Alexander Hamilton, who was Secretary of the Treasury and chief architect of George Washington's administration.

Electoral College

: The Electoral College is a group of people appointed by each state who formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States.

Farewell Address

: A Farewell Address is a speech given by an individual leaving a position or place. In U.S history context, it often refers to George Washington’s farewell address when he decided not to seek re-election after his second term as President.

French Revolution

: The French Revolution was a period of radical political and societal change in France from 1789 to 1799. It led to the end of monarchy, rise of radical political factions, and eventually Napoleon's rule.

George Washington

: George Washington was the first President of the United States (1789-1797) and one of the Founding Fathers. He led America to victory in the Revolutionary War, helping establish the country's independence from Britain.

Hamilton's Financial Plan

: This was a series of measures proposed by Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, to stabilize the U.S. economy after the Revolutionary War. The plan included paying off war debts, creating a national bank, and imposing tariffs and excise taxes.

James Madison

: James Madison was an American statesman, diplomat and Founding Father who served as the fourth President of United States (1809-1817). He is hailed as "Father of Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Jay’s Treaty

: Signed in 1794, this treaty resolved issues remaining from the Treaty of Paris of 1783. It led to a decade of peaceful trade between America and Britain during the French Revolutionary Wars.

John Adams

: John Adams was the second president of the United States (1797-1801) and one of the Founding Fathers. He played a key role in drafting the U.S. Constitution and was a strong advocate for independence from Britain.

Judiciary Act of 1789

: The Judiciary Act of 1789 was a law passed by the first U.S Congress that created the federal judiciary system, including the Supreme Court.

Kentucky Resolutions

: Political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799 by Thomas Jefferson arguing that states have rights to declare unconstitutional any acts of Congress not authorized by Constitution.

Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793

: Issued by President George Washington, this proclamation declared that America would remain neutral in conflicts between European nations including France and Britain following the onset of the French Revolutionary Wars.

Quasi War

: The Quasi War was an undeclared war fought almost entirely at sea between the United States and France from 1798 to 1800, which broke out during John Adams' presidency.

Tariff

: A tariff is a tax imposed on imported goods and services. It is used to protect domestic industries from foreign competition by making imported goods more expensive.

Thomas Jefferson

: Thomas Jefferson was an American Founding Father who served as the third President of the United States (1801–1809). He is also known for writing the Declaration of Independence.

U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

: The U.S. Capitol is a building where the United States Congress meets. It's where laws are made and important national decisions are discussed.

Virginia Resolutions

: These were a set of resolutions passed in 1798, written by James Madison, which also argued against Alien and Sedition Acts on grounds of states' rights and constitutional interpretation.

Whiskey Rebellion

: The Whiskey Rebellion was an uprising in 1794 by farmers in western Pennsylvania against federal excise tax on whiskey. It was significant because it tested the new government's ability to enforce its laws.

XYZ Affair

: The XYZ Affair was a political and diplomatic episode in 1797 and 1798, early in the administration of John Adams, involving a confrontation between U.S. diplomats and French officials that led to an undeclared war called Quasi-War.


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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.