American Pageant Chapter 10 APUSH Review (Period 3)

Introduction to the Administrations of George Washington and John Adams

This section introduces the topic of the video, which is the administrations of George Washington and John Adams during the New Republic from 1789 to 1800. It also provides some background information on George Washington's presidency.

The Presidency of George Washington

• George Washington was unanimously elected as the first president of the United States in 1789.

• He established many precedents that put the principles of the Constitution into practice.

• He served a two-term presidency, which set a precedent for future leaders until Franklin Roosevelt.

• He established his cabinet, which included all-stars such as Thomas Jefferson (Secretary of State), Alexander Hamilton (Secretary of Treasury), and Henry Knox (Secretary of War).

• The Judiciary Act of 1789 organized the Supreme Court with one chief justice (John Jay) and five associate justices.

The Bill of Rights

• The Bill of Rights was added to alleviate concerns about too powerful a government by anti-federalists.

• James Madison largely wrote these ten amendments to provide protections against government power, enumerate individual rights, and restrict government power.

• Examples include protections for speech, religion, press, assembly; prevention against unreasonable searches and seizures without probable cause; and guaranteeing rights to states.

Hamilton's Financial Plan

• Alexander Hamilton developed a financial program to pay off debt and develop American manufacturing.

• Part one was outlined in "Report on Public Credit," calling for federal government to pay off national debt at face value and assume war debts from individual states.

• Controversial assumption plan raised concern that speculators would make money off it while increasing federal government power.

• Compromise reached with Thomas Jefferson where plan would be accepted in exchange for moving capital of the United States closer to the south in Washington DC.

• Part two was outlined in "Report on the Manufacturers," supporting higher tariffs and excise taxes.

• Tariffs would protect American infant industries from foreign competition and raise revenue to pay off debt.

• Hamilton wanted to see a nation of manufacturers and industrialize the US economy.

The Bank of the United States

This section discusses the creation of a national bank by the US government, which was a key part of Alexander Hamilton's plan. There is a debate over the Bank of the United States, with Jeffersonian Republicans arguing that Congress did not have the authority to create it.

The Debate Over the Bank

• A national bank run by the US government would help create a stable healthy economy and currency.

• Jeffersonian Republicans argued that Congress did not have the authority to create a bank and believed in strict interpretation of the Constitution.

• Federalists argued that Necessary and Proper Clause allowed Congress to create Bank of US since it was necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.

• Federalists were advocates of loose or broad interpretation of Constitution while Jeffersonian Republicans supported strict interpretation.

The First Party System

This section discusses how political parties developed in the 1790s, known as the first party system. The Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans had different economic visions and interpretations of the Constitution.

Key Differences Between Parties

• Federalists supported Hamilton's economic vision, which was largely manufacturing industrialization, loose interpretation of Constitution, strong central government, and pro-England.

• Jeffersonian Republicans supported agrarian society, favored farmers as backbone of nation's economy, strict interpretation of Constitution unless specifically stated otherwise, state rights, and pro-French.

The Whiskey Rebellion

This section discusses how an excise tax on whiskey hurt farmers who distilled whiskey from their excess corn. Farmers in western Pennsylvania refused to pay the tax, leading to the Whiskey Rebellion.

The Whiskey Rebellion

• Hamilton's financial plan included an excise tax on whiskey to generate revenue for federal government.

• Farmers in western Pennsylvania refused to pay the tax and saw it as a violation of their liberties.

• George Washington took over state militia and stopped rebellion by show of force, demonstrating power and effectiveness of federal government.

• Critics such as Jefferson were disturbed by use of force, seeing it as a faraway strong national government crushing liberty of people.

The United States and European Wars

In this section, we learn about the division between Federalists and Democratic Republicans regarding whether the US should help France in their war against Europe. We also learn about George Washington's proclamation of neutrality and how it was tested by a French minister violating diplomatic rules.

Division Between Federalists and Democratic Republicans

• There was a question on whether the US should help France in their war against Europe.

• The Federalists were concerned about the violence of the French Revolution and wanted to avoid a war with England.

• On the other hand, the Democratic Republicans led by Jefferson felt that they should join France in their fight for liberty.

Proclamation of Neutrality

• George Washington issued the proclamation of neutrality in 1793 to keep the US out of European wars.

• This neutrality was tested when a French minister violated diplomatic rules by trying to convince Americans to support France.

Jay's Treaty

• Chief Justice John Jay was sent by Washington to negotiate with England to avoid war.

• Jay's treaty of 1794 made Britain agree to leave forts on the frontier but did not stop Britain's harassment of American ships or weapons sales to Native Americans.

• The treaty was unpopular among Jeffersonian Republicans but kept us out of war.

Pickney's Treaty

• Spain previously blocked American access to Mississippi River, but under Pickney's Treaty of 1795, Spain agreed to allow US usage of Mississippi River and right of deposit at Port New Orleans.

• The treaty also made northern boundary Florida's 31st parallel.

Native American Resistance

• After American Revolution, settlers moved westward into Native American land causing concern for native tribes forming Northwest Confederacy under Miami chief Little Turtle.

• At the Battle of Fallen Timbers, natives were defeated by US Army led by General Anthony Wayne, and eventually, Treaty of Greenville was signed in 1795.

The Presidency of John Adams

This section covers the presidency of John Adams, including his election, foreign policy challenges, and domestic political issues.

Washington's Farewell Address

• In 1796, George Washington gave his farewell address in which he warned against permanent alliances and political parties.

• Despite this warning, the election of 1796 saw two candidates running for president: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

Challenges to Foreign Policy

• As president, John Adams faced challenges to foreign policy due to France's war with European nations.

• France felt that America violated the Franco-American Treaty of 1778 and wanted America's help. This led to the XYZ Affair in which French officials attempted to bribe American diplomats.

• A quasi-war broke out between France and the US mainly in the West Indies at sea. However, a convention was held in 1800 between Napoleon and the US that kept them out of war.

Domestic Political Issues

• During his administration, Congress passed a series of laws known as the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. These were passed by Federalists controlled Congress to limit opposition from Democratic Republicans.

• The Naturalization Act increased the time for immigrants to become citizens from five years to fourteen years.

• The Alien Act gave the president power over deporting or arresting immigrants considered dangerous while the Sedition Act made it illegal to criticize government or Congress.

The Idea of Nullification

In this section, the speaker discusses the idea of nullification and its importance in the battle between federal and state governments.

The Compact Theory

• States made a compact with the national government.

• If that compact was violated by that national government, states argued they did not have to obey those laws.

Nullification

• A state could nullify federal laws passed by Congress they felt were unconstitutional.

• States could cancel, ignore or not obey these federal laws because the government is exceeding its delegated powers.

• This argument will be used later on by states such as South Carolina in the 1830s with regard to a tariff controversy.

• It will also be used by southerners when they secede from the union.

Conclusion

In this section, the speaker concludes the video and encourages viewers to like and comment on it.

• If you learned something new, click like on the video.

• Post any questions in the comment section.

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