Shaping a NEW REPUBLIC [APUSH Review Unit 3 Topic 10 (3.10)] Period 3: 1754-1800

How Was the U.S. Constitution Implemented During Washington and Adams' Presidencies?

Establishing the New Government

• The video discusses how the new Constitution was put into practice during the presidencies of George Washington and John Adams, following its ratification.

• George Washington was unanimously elected as the first president and established executive departments: Treasury, War, State, and Justice, each led by a secretary forming his cabinet.

Hamilton's Financial Policies

• Alexander Hamilton, as Secretary of Treasury, proposed establishing a National Bank to unify states and improve U.S. credit by absorbing state debts from the Revolutionary War into a national debt.

• This policy faced opposition from states with little debt; opponents argued there was no constitutional basis for a national bank. Hamilton countered using the "necessary and proper" clause to justify his actions.

International Relations: The French Revolution

• The French Revolution posed challenges for America; Washington decided against aiding France in their wars with European nations due to America's fledgling status.

• In 1793, Washington issued the Proclamation of Neutrality despite opposition from Thomas Jefferson, leading to tensions with France's minister Edmond Genet who sought American support.

Treaties and Territorial Issues

• British aggression continued with ship seizures; Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to negotiate Jay’s Treaty which did not address ship seizures but secured British withdrawal from western posts.

• Following Jay’s Treaty, Spain negotiated Pinckney Treaty in 1795 allowing Americans access to New Orleans for trade along the Mississippi River and defining southern borders at the 31st parallel.

Domestic Challenges: Conflicts with Native Americans

• Land-hungry Americans moving west led to conflicts with Native Americans claiming Ohio River Valley lands; rumors suggested British support for these tribes.

• The Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794 resulted in U.S. victory over Native American confederacies leading to their surrender of Ohio Valley lands for American settlement.

Economic Struggles: Whiskey Rebellion

Whiskey Rebellion and the Birth of Political Parties

The Whiskey Rebellion: A Challenge to Federal Authority

• Farmers in Pennsylvania revolted against federal tax collectors, challenging the authority of the newly established federal government.

• George Washington responded decisively by deploying the U.S. Army to suppress the rebellion, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Constitution in maintaining order.

• Critics like Thomas Jefferson emerged, but Washington's actions were ultimately successful in quelling dissent.

Emergence of Political Factions

• The political landscape began to shift with the formation of two main factions: Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.

• Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, advocated for a strong central government and represented urban elite interests.

• In contrast, Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, championed states' rights and rural agricultural interests.

Washington’s Farewell Address

• Upon leaving office, Washington delivered his Farewell Address warning against political factions and foreign alliances.

John Adams’ Presidency and Foreign Relations

• John Adams succeeded Washington as president; he was also a Federalist with pro-British sentiments amidst rising tensions between Britain and France.

• The XYZ Affair arose when French diplomats demanded bribes from American negotiators, leading to widespread outrage across party lines.

Alien and Sedition Acts: Controversy and Response

• Adams supported the Alien and Sedition Acts which allowed for deportation or imprisonment of non-citizens deemed undesirable; this targeted Irish and Scottish immigrants critical of British policies.

• The Sedition Act criminalized public criticism of the government, prompting backlash from Democratic-Republicans who viewed it as an overreach of federal power.

• In response, Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions asserted states' rights to nullify unconstitutional laws passed by Congress.

Transition of Power