Post on 01-Jan-2016
Federalist Paradigm
Washington & Adams
1789-1800
Origin
• Articles govt & Shays Rebellion
• Support stronger nat. gov.
• 1789 - political stability of republic depends on Washington
GEORGE WASHINGTON1789-1797
Hamilton
• Goal – Gov’t should help grow commerce– Nat. Bank– Protective tariff– Promote manufacturing
development
• Trade would make nation rich & prosperous
• Rich should lead & wealth will trickle down
Hamilton/Federalists
• Skeptical of Enlightenment & French Rev.
• Feared democracy
• Public order over individual freedom
• Today’s Republican Party– Economic growth– Order over rights
Jefferson/Republicans
• Not today’s Republican Party
• Max. amount of individual freedom
• Privileged elite the enemy
• Believed in Enlightenment– Man can better themselves
• Admired French Rev.
• Didn’t like commerce– Merchants & bankers = money elite– Anti-democratic
• Agriculture over industry– Farmers self-sufficient, independent
• “Freedom” top belief of Democrats today– Individual rights over property rights
American Politics
• 1 Party for economic growth & public order
• 1 party emphasize social equality & individual freedom
1st Term
• Strong executive branch
• Strong central govt. (Federalists)
• Hamilton’s Plan
• Judiciary Act– Elaborate federal court system– Supreme Court
• Land Act 1796 – high prices to discourage development
1793-1815 England-France War
• Federalist support England
• Republicans support France
• Washington - neutrality
• US show of force at Fallen Timbers & PA
1795 Jay’s Treaty
• GB leaves forts
• US trade w/ some parts of empire
• Republicans think we were shortchanged– Don’t accept neutrality right at sea– Washington believed it was the best we could
do. (GB had more power)
Washington
• Executive privilege
• Diplomacy
• Farewell Address
• 2 terms
JOHN ADAMS1797-1801
• Tried to maintain neutrality
• Relations w/France deteriorated after Jay’s Treaty
• US ships attacked
XYZ Affair
• French demand bribes
• Anger at home. Repeal Franco-American Treaty
Quasi-War w/ France
• Hamilton calls for stronger central govt (opportunist)
• Adams prepares for war– New ships, fortify harbors, new taxes
• Republicans horrified– France not real threat– Build up was to silent Rep. opposition
Republicans Fight Back
• Republican Press attacks Adams– Betrayed spirit & intent of Revolution– Favor new aristocracy
• Federalists believe attacks undermining political order
Alien & Sedition Acts
• Crime to criticize govt
• Many Republicans silenced before election
• Citizenship takes longer
• BIG MISTAKE!
France
• Adams makes peace w/ Napoleon
• Public unsettled– Taxation & military build up for war that never
came
Election 1800
• Jefferson challenges Adams & Federalists– Party of tyranny, militarism, taxation– Adams expanded fed. govt power– “reign of terror”
• Adams defeated = peaceful transition of power
Federalist Paradigm
• 12 yrs – consistent economic & political policies
• Set focus on commerce
• Washington honest administration
• Bill of Rights, secured borders, solid foundation
• Mistakes – held on to hierarchy