The Federalist Era Mr. Websters Class Vocabulary precedent something done or said that becomes an example for others tofollow cabinet a group of advisers to a president partisan firmly favoring one party or faction alien a person living in a country who is not a citizen of that country sedition activities aimed at weakening the established government by incitingresistance or rebellion to authority nullify to legally overturn states rights the idea that states should have all powers that the Constitutiondoes not give to the federal government or forbid to the states The First Presidential Election
No political parties existed at thetime of the 1788/89 election. Candidates were either Federalists orAnti-Federalists. Both groups were united insupporting Washington for thepresidency. Washington was enormouslypopular and was unanimouslyelected. The First President of the United States
George Washington became the firstpresident of the United States on April30, 1789. He was inaugurated in New York City,the nations first capital. His vice president was John Adams. Washington set the standard for howlong a president should serve and forhow the nation should relate to othernations. George Washington Clip Martha Washington Clip The Cabinet In the summer of 1789, Washingtonchose leading political figures to helpform his cabinet. Washingtons cabinet had manyimportant duties, and they gave adviceto the president. He appointed: Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton Secretary of theTreasury Henry Knox Secretary of War Edmund Randolph Attorney General The Court System The Judiciary Act of established a federal court system,which marked a first step in creatinga strong national judicial system. The states kept their own laws andcourts, but the federal courts had thepower to reverse state decisions. President Washington chose John Jayto lead the Supreme Court as firstchief justice. The Bill of Rights In December 1791, the first tenamendments were made to theConstitution.They are known asthe Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights limited the powerof government and protectsindividual liberties. The Tenth Amendment says that anypower not listed in the Constitutionbelongs to the states or the people. The Economy of the New Nation
As a result of the AmericanRevolution, the new nation owedmillions of dollars to othercountries and to American citizens. Alexander Hamilton proposed thatthe federal government take over andpay off the states wartime debts. He argued this would build nationalcredit and make it easier for thenation to borrow money. National Bank Hamilton also asked Congress to createa national bank to hold governmentfunds and make debt payments. The national bank would also issue asingle form of money for usethroughout the nation. Some opposed this idea, citing theConstitution did not grant Congressthe power to create a bank. Washington sided with Hamiltonhowever, and Congress created thenational bank. A New Capital The Residence Act of specified that a special district belaid out between Virginia andMaryland on the banks of thePotomac River. The act gave Washington theauthority to decide the exactlocation. The result was Washington, D.C. Whiskey Rebellion In 1791, Congress passed a tax on themanufacture and sale of whiskey. Western Pennsylvania farmers wereespecially upset by this tax. In July 1794, the Whiskey Rebellionoccurred when an armed mob attacked taxcollectors and burned down buildings. Washington sent federal troops to meetthe challenge, and his action made it clearthat the new government would use forceto maintain order. Washington Struggles to Stay Neutral
In 1793, Britain and France went to war.ManyAmericans wanted the United States to take sides. Washington wanted the United States to stayneutral. After the British captured American ships thattraded with the French, Washington sent John Jayto discuss a solution.The result was Jays Treaty. Jays Treaty helped both the British and Americansachieve many objectives, although few Americansapproved of the treaty. Washington Leaves Office
After two terms in office,Washington decided not toseek a third term aspresident. In his farewell address,Washington warned aboutsomething he saw as agrowing threat to theyoung nation:politicalparties. Political Parties Emerge
By 1796, the nations first politicalparties were beginning to form. The Federalists were led by AlexanderHamilton, and they favored a strongnational government.They believed theConstitution gave the governmentimplied powers. The Democratic-Republicans were ledby Thomas Jefferson and JamesMadison.They rejected the idea ofimplied powers. Election of 1796 John Adams was the Federalistcandidate, and Thomas Jefferson wasthe Democratic-Republican candidate. Under the rules of the Constitution atthat time, the person with the second- highest electoral vote became vicepresident. John Adams won the election of and became the 2nd President of theUnited States.Jefferson became vicepresident. John Adams Before becoming president, JohnAdams was well-known as one ofMassachusettss most active patriotsbefore and during the RevolutionaryWar. John Adams served two terms as vicepresident before becoming president. His presidency was troubled, and ismost known for the XYZ Affair andthe Alien and Sedition Acts. John Adams Clip Abigail Adams Clip The XYZ Affair In 1797, Adams sent a team to Paris to resolve adispute.French officials chose not to meet withthe Americans, and instead, they sent three Frenchagents, who demanded a bribe and a loan. The Americans refused. When Adams learned what happened, he wasfurious.The president urged Congress to preparefor war. In his report to Congress, Adams used the lettersX,Y, and Z in place of the French agents names. As a result, the event came to be called the XYZaffair. Alien and Sedition Acts
After the XYZ Affair, many Americansbecame suspicious of aliens, or residentswho were not citizens. In response, the Alien and Sedition Actswas passed in 1798. The Alien and Sedition Acts allowedthe president to imprison aliens, and italso allowed him to deport thosethought to be dangerous. Though controversial, Adams was astrong supporter of the laws. A New Capital Washington, D.C. officiallybecame the capital of the UnitedStates in November 1800. John Adams was the firstpresident to occupy the WhiteHouse. The Organic Act of 1801 placedthe District of Columbia underthe control of the U.S. Congress.