First Steps for the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT [APUSH Review]

Introduction to the New Constitution and Government

Overview of the Constitution

• The new Constitution established a three-branched federal government with checks and balances, despite its brevity of only four pages.

• The concise nature of the Constitution allowed for broad interpretation and flexibility, which was crucial as unforeseen challenges arose.

Challenges Faced by the Early Republic

• The video will explore how leaders responded to early challenges by creating constitutional institutions and precedents.

Precedents Set by George Washington

Establishing the Executive Branch

• George Washington was unanimously elected as the first president, setting a precedent for future elections.

• Washington created a cabinet of advisers consisting of four departments: State, War, Treasury, and Justice to help execute his duties effectively.

Importance of Cabinet Creation

• Although not mandated by the Constitution, Washington's creation of executive departments demonstrated its flexible nature and reinforced checks and balances through Senate approval.

Two-Term Limit Precedent

Voluntary Resignation

• Washington set a two-term limit precedent by voluntarily stepping down after eight years in office, influencing future presidents until the 22nd Amendment was ratified in 1951.

Farewell Address Insights

• In his farewell address, Washington warned against entangling foreign alliances that could lead to unnecessary wars.

• He also cautioned against political parties' divisive effects on national unity.

Formation of Federal Judiciary

Judicial Branch Development

• The framers provided minimal detail about the judicial branch; Congress addressed this with the Judiciary Act of 1789.

Structure Established

• This act created a three-tiered federal court system: 13 district courts at the bottom, three appellate courts in the middle, and a Supreme Court at the top with six justices.

The Formation of Political Parties in America

The Role of Factions in Early American Politics

• The division leading to the first political parties was largely influenced by two key figures, whose actions created significant factions within early American politics.

• During this era, documents often referred to these groups as "factions" rather than "parties," reflecting the framers' skepticism towards organized political entities.

• The Constitution does not explicitly address political parties, as the framers viewed them as potentially detrimental to a Republican government.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

• The initial ideological divide emerged during the ratification debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, both aiming to prevent tyranny while differing on methods.

• The Federalist Party favored stronger federal power, with Alexander Hamilton as its prominent leader, while the Democratic-Republicans advocated for more state power under Thomas Jefferson's leadership.

Major Disagreements Leading to Party Formation

Economic Policy Disputes

• A primary contention was over economic policy, particularly regarding Hamilton's proposal for a national bank aimed at stabilizing U.S. credit and assuming state debts from the Revolutionary War.

• Some states opposed this plan because they had already settled their debts; Virginia's rejection highlighted regional tensions regarding federal authority over financial matters.

• Hamilton argued that the necessary and proper clause justified creating a national bank, which ultimately contributed positively to the economy despite opposition from many Democratic-Republicans who saw it as an overreach of federal power.

Liberty vs. Order: The Whiskey Rebellion

• Another significant disagreement revolved around balancing liberty and order, exemplified by the Whiskey Rebellion sparked by a tax imposed on whiskey that burdened western farmers economically.

• Farmers protested against what they perceived as unfair taxation favoring urban interests at their expense; this unrest escalated into violent protests against tax collectors in 1792 and 1794.

• President Washington responded decisively by mobilizing militias to suppress the rebellion, demonstrating a stronger federal response compared to previous governance under the Articles of Confederation and reinforcing federal authority in maintaining order amidst civil unrest.

Political Parties and Foreign Policy Debates

The Formation of Political Parties

• The emergence of political parties was significantly influenced by debates over federal versus state power, particularly in response to the government's actions during rebellions.

• The Democratic Republicans supported aiding the French Revolutionaries, while Federalists feared involvement would harm U.S. trade and viewed the revolution as chaotic.

• Washington's neutrality proclamation aimed to protect American trade interests but angered Democratic Republicans, leading to Jefferson's resignation from his cabinet in protest.

Key Foreign Policy Issues

• Citizen Edmund Jane's campaign for support of France directly challenged Washington’s neutrality stance, raising funds and recruiting militias against British interests.

• Jane's actions violated the Neutrality Act, prompting a strong reaction from the Washington administration and escalating tensions with Britain.

• John Jay was sent to negotiate with Britain; although he secured some trading concessions through the Jay Treaty, it failed to address critical issues that would later contribute to the War of 1812.

Alien and Sedition Acts

• After Washington’s presidency, John Adams enacted the Alien and Sedition Acts which allowed deportation of immigrants criticizing government policies and criminalized dissent against the government.

• These acts were seen as a response to perceived threats from pro-French sentiments within America following Citizen Jane’s defiance of federal authority.

• The Democratic Republicans condemned these acts as federal overreach, arguing they infringed on rights protected by the Bill of Rights.

State Responses

• In retaliation against federal overreach, Virginia and Kentucky passed resolutions declaring the Alien and Sedition Acts unconstitutional, asserting states' rights against federal laws deemed unjust.