Early National through The War of 1812
I.Constitutions determine the structure of government - experience and practice determine the character of government- Gouverneur Morris - “No constitution is the same on paper as in life.”
A.disagreement on the relative importance of the time period
1.Blum - 23, Garraty - 9, Link - 11, Current - 17, Bailey - 35, Morison - 48 .
2.personal view has changed from insignificant to one of great importance - particularly concerning the character of government
B.dominant theme of the time - strength of the national government v strength of the states - the character of federalism must be defined
1.the leading players in this struggle will be Hamilton and Jefferson
2.emergence of the first American party system - Federalist v Republican
C.Washington the man
1.complained he had “inferior endowments from nature”
2.superior was in character not in talent - Morison
3.balanced not brilliant - Bailey
4.Washington made a firm, dignified, conscientious but cautious and unaggressive President - Garraty
5.was this type of character good or bad in a first President
D.the character of government is established by precedent - with the first President all actions may become precedents - thus Washington’s role is important
1.strong executive - established by Washington’s nationalistic view and by his personal prestige which gave greater weight to his pronouncements
2.respect for the concept of separation of powers - non-involvement in the legislative process - Washington didn’t believe it was the president’s role to propose or support specific pieces of legislation - seldom appeared before Congress because of early incidents in which he was kept waiting - his cabinet did play a role in advising Congress
3.establishment of an independent cabinet - responsible to the president not to the legislature - their power is limited by the role which the president assigns them - Washington desired top men regardless of their philosophy
4.partisan appointments - no prominent anti-federalists were appointed
5.two-term precedent
6.Senatorial courtesy on appointments
7.judicial review - the Judiciary Act of 1789
II.Credit and debt are the first major focus of the administration
A.Hamilton’s program as Secretary of the Treasury
B.the cornerstones of Hamiltonian policy
1.funding at par - full funding
2.assumption of state debts
3.establishment of a National Bank
4.establishment of a protective tariff to benefit domestic manufacturing
5.excise taxes to assert the power of the national government
C.Hamilton’s goals
1.most importantly - strengthen the national government
2.win the support of the wealthy elite
3.encourage the growth of American industry through protectionism
4.maintain a public debt so citizens have a stake in the survival of the government
D.Hamilton’s goals according to Nash
1.stabilize finance and credit
2.build and demonstrate the power of the national government
3.tie the wealthy elite to the government
4.promote commerce and industry
5.commercial and diplomatic alliance with England
E.“All communities divide themselves into the few and the many. The first are the rich and well-born; the other the mass of the people...turbulent and changing they seldom judge of determine right. Give therefore to the first class a distinct, permanent share in the government.”
F.the Hamilton program
1.full funding - foreign debt - 11.7m, domestic debt - 42.4m, state debt - 21.5m
a.options available - default, partial funding, full funding
b.chooses full funding - why
1.establish credit (credibility) of the U.S. with foreign governments - this was essential for the development of commerce
2.means of establishing support of the elite for the national government
a.speculators and wealthy held most of the bonds - payback would tie their self interest to the national government - actually tipped off about the plan so they could accumulate morebonds
b.full funding would be financed through the issuing of new bonds - the wealthy would invest in them and their payback would require the survival of the national government
3.the accumulation of a national debt would insure the loyalty of those to whom it was owed to the national government
4.the accumulation of capital in the Northeast - where the majority of the elite resided - would lead to capital accumulation which would foster the development of industry in the region
2.assumption of state debts by the national government - why?
a. compromise necessary in order to win Jefferson’s support - proposed national capital to be located in
Washington
b.assumption should tie the states more closely to the national government since they’d be indebted for the assumption of debts
c.loyalty of state bond holders would be transferred to the national government since it was that government which would be repaying them
d.creation of a national debt would again tie bondholders more firmly to the national government since they had a financial stake in its survival
e.additionally, it was designed to cause money (capital) to accumulate in the Northeast where it could be used to finance industrial or commercial development
f.this would occur because northern states had a greater outstanding debt than southern states
1.Massachusetts - 309,000
2.New York - 367,000
3.Virginia - 62,000
4.Georgia - 6880
5.thus money (taxes) would move from the agrarian south to the northern elite who would have capital to invest in industry and commerce
3.First Bank of the United States
a. would serve as depository for federal funds
b.capitalized at $10m - one fifth owned by the federal government and four-fifths by private investors - elite
c.it was oversubscribed in two hours
d.deposits would be loaned to finance industry and commerce
e.again, the elite would have a stake in the survival of the national government
f.major debate over the constitutionality of the bank - centers around strict and loose constructionism - argue each side
4.protectionism
a.concept of the revenue v protective tariff
b.first tariff in 1789 (8%) was a revenue tariff
c.Hamilton favored a protective tariff to benefit infant industries
d.industry and commerce would support the national government
e.who would benefit most from a protective tariff (North) why? - least (South) why?
f.thus the elite of the north would again have a financial stake in the national government
5.excise tax policy
a.excise tax on whiskey - why whiskey?
b.whiskey was the preferred drink of the south and the west while rum or cider was the preferred drink of the north and east (rum was excluded)
c.flow of tax money would be from the south to the north
d.flow of money from agrarian to industrial areas
G.balance sheet of Hamilton’s economic plan
1.masses were largely untouched by the policies of Hamilton
2.Hamilton believed that the benefits of his program would eventually trickle down to the masses
3.his program strengthened the national government but failed to provide a sense of national unity
4.increased sectionalism as a result of discriminatory economic policy
5.it established a direction for the country - proactive rather than reactive
6. how might the country have developed differently if Jefferson had the ear of Washington?
7.Which of today’s would you associate the policies of Hamilton with?
II.Party and sectional differences
A.Jefferson - “If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go at all.”
B.Elihu Root - “The great difficulty with the application of pure reason to practical affairs is that never does the reasoner get all of the premises which should affect the conclusion: so it frequently happens that the practical man...who feels the effects of the conditions that the reasoner overlooks, goes right, while the superior intelligence of the reasoning man goes wrong.”
C.a basic difference between Hamilton and Jefferson is their view of man in the natural state
1.Jefferson - a positive view - if left largely to himself, man will do right
2.Hamilton - a negative view - if left largely to himself, man will do wrong
3.Jefferson believed in the ability of the educated common man to govern
4.Hamilton believed in a governing aristocracy of birth and merit
5.Jefferson had affection for the French Revolutions attempts to establish pure democracy
6.Hamilton had great affection for the stability of England and its aristocratic rule
7.Jefferson favored limited powers for the national government - state governments kept power as close to the common man as possible - therefore easier to control
8.Hamilton favors a strong national government which would attract the elite from each state - thus have more wisdom to govern in the best interests of the nation as a whole
9.Jefferson favored a nation of small farmer who would live close to the state of nature
10.Hamilton favored development of industry and commerce so the U.S. could take its place among the great nations of the world
11.Jefferson has abiding faith in the common sense and wisdom of the educated common man-“That government is best which governs least” - “A wise frugal government, which shall restrain man from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and commerce.”
12.Hamilton feared that government in the hands of the people degenerated to mobocracy - the people are turbulent and changing. They seldom judge or determine right.
The debate is again between whether the greatest threat to natural rights of is from tyranny or from anarchy.
13.Hamilton favored stability above all else - when Henry contended that the constitution didn’t authorize assumption, Hamilton responded - “This is the first symptom of a spirit which must either be killed, or will kill the constitution of the United States.”
14.Jefferson on the other hand - “A little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing. It is the medicine necessary for the sound health of government. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is natural manure.”
D.the basis of growing sectionalism
1. differing economic bases for the north and south
2.Hamilton’s discriminatory economic program
a.funding
b.assumption
c.excise tax
E.Hamilton - Jefferson conflict can be seen in terms of strict and loose constructionism
1.Jefferson - strict constructionist - unless the constitution specifically authorizes an action, the federal government may not take it
2.Hamilton - loose constructionist - unless the constitution specifically a given action, it is permissible
3.reexamine the role of the elastic clause (necessary and proper - implied powers)
a.strict constructionists emphasize PROPER
b.loose constructionists emphasize NECESSARY
c.constitutional interpretations of ins and outs
d.which is the proper view in your mind?
e.Hierl view - there are no strict constructionists left, only degrees of loose constructionists - what did the framers of the constitution intend?
F.overview of the development of the character of federalism
1.Hamiltonian philosophy provided the U.S. with a strong, viable national government
2.Jeffersonian philosophy did much to retain the federal character of the constitution
3.was the fact that they counter balanced each other important?
G.discuss party alignment today
1.Republicans - Hamiltonian in economics - Jeffersonian in federalism
2.Democrats - Jeffersonian in economics - Hamiltonian in federalism
III.Washington foreign policy
A.primary concerns
1.secure navigation on the Mississippi (right of deposit) to cement the loyalty of the west
2.secure the removal of the British from northwestern forts and reduce tension with the Indians of the northwest
3.secure trading rights, particularly with the West Indies, for he northeast
B.primary foreign policy was to utilize geographic isolation, delay confrontation, and allow America’s birthrate to fight her battles
C.key elements of this foreign policy were - neutrality - isolationism - temporary alliances
D.impact of the French Revolution
1.widespread support early on - when it turns vicious Americans become more polarized in their views
2.Jefferson favored France - sought the establishment of a commercial treaty and a further strengthening of ties- French alliance is still in effect
3.Hamilton favors England - believed our economy was directly tied to theirs - 3/4 of our commerce involved trade with England - 90% of our imports came from England
4.1793 - France declares war on England
a.Washington invokes neutrality
b.more than 300 American ships seized by each side
c.views on the rights of neutrals
1.destination determines ownership of the cargo - doctrine of continuous voyage
2.French view is that free ships make free goods
3.why does each side have its view?
4.British seizures generally compensated owners
5.French seizures did not
5.the Citizen Genet affair
a.appointed in official capacity to the U.S.
b.landed in Charleston and began illegally recruiting privateers before presenting his credentials to Washington
c.sought to recruit men for an attack on Louisiana
d.Washington asked for his recall
e.French asked that he be sent home under arrest
f.marries the daughter of Governor Clinton of New York
E.the Jay Treaty 1794
1. the U.S. was on the verge of war with Great Britain over violations of the rights of neutrals
2.Jay sent to work out differences - concludes treaty
3.British were to give up forts by 1796
4.payment of pre-revolutionary debts is guaranteed by the U.S. government
5.British payment for damages to U.S. shipping to be determined by arbitration
6.Jay was viewed as strongly pro-British and the treaty was very unpopular with republicans - nevertheless it was ratified
7.secured the integrity of the U.S. - British come to respect, to a degree, American rights - why were they willing
8.most importantly the Jay Treaty led to the Pinckney Treaty
F.Pinckney Treaty - 1795
1.Pinckney sent to Spain to try to secure right of deposit
2.Spain was convinced that secret provisions in the Jay treaty for a joint U.S. - British takeover of Louisiana
3.treaty secured the rights of navigation and deposit on the Mississippi
4.particularly important to the old northwest
G.Indian affairs - general philosophy
1.Indian lands should be guaranteed by treaty
2.federal regulation of Indian land sales and trade with Indians
3.policy of acculturation (define) with citizenship held out as the prize
4.1791 - St. Clair attempts to build a fort in Indian territory - 2000 man force including the entire regular army - routed with 900 casualties
5.1794 - Mad Anthony Wayne defeats northwest tribes in the Battle of Fallen Timbers
6.1795 - Treaty of Greenville - major land cession by Indians
7.problem of American policy is that it did not that into account American greed for land
H.Barbary pirates - seizure of American sailors - 126 - 1794
1.leads to the beginnings of a navy
2.6 ships authorized though only three completed (United States, Constellation, Constitution - Old Ironsides)
3.none completed in time and a $1 million dollar ransom paid in 1796
I.on balance - Washington’s foreign policy helped secure national integrity
IV.Exercise of national power over states and individuals
A.Whiskey Rebellion - 1794
B.insurrection in 1794 in Western Pennsylvania - refusal to pay whiskey tax
C.western farmers typically turned excess corn into whiskey
D.Pennsylvania governor refuses to put down the rebellion
E.the issue is critical because it will demonstrate whether the federal government has both the will and the ability to enforce its laws
F.13,000-15,000 troops were called up - more than Washington had at any time during the American Revolution - look at the importance of this as a demonstration of national power
1.Washington and Hamilton personally lead the troops as far as Harrisburg
2.rebellion dissolves - leaders caught and convicted - pardoned
3.cost of the expedition was 3 years worth of revenue from the whiskey tax
4.importance of the response to the Whiskey Rebellion
V.The Washington balance sheet
A.he had a personal effect on giving legitimacy to the national government
B.precedents established - character of the national government is thus established
C.character of federalism is established at least to the point where the national government will stand on an equal footing with the states - it will not be dominated by the states
D.establishes the tone of foreign policy - farewell address
Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns..Our detached and distant situation invites us to pursue a different course...’tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with any portion of the foreign world...taking care always to keep ourselves, by suitable establishments, on a respectable defensive posture, we may safely trust to temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies.
VI.The Adams Administration
A.election of 1796
1.Washington delayed announcing he wasn’t a candidate until September
2.reasons Federalists did not choose Hamilton
3.outcome - Adams - 71, Jefferson - 68, Pinckney - 59, Burr - 30
B.personality
1.Morison from Franklin - “Always honest, often great, but sometimes mad.”
2.Adams administration led to a leveling of executive prestige because of his personality
3.Bailey referred to John Quincy Adams as a “chip off the old family glacier.”
4.Adams was the most knowledgeable and experienced of the early presidents
5.he attempted to be above party and politics and thus lost the support and respect of both parties
6.had respect but little admiration from the masses - Bailey - “He was a tactless, prickly intellectual aristocrat, with no appeal to the masses, and with no desire to cultivate any.”
C.absence from the seat of government
1.Washington gone 181 days in 8 years
2.Adams gone 385 days in 4 years
a.his love of his farm in Quincy
b.Abigail's feeling of being snubbed in Philadelphia
D.beliefs of Adams
1.strong executive leadership
2.two house legislature
3.harmony between factions - he wanted to be above party
E.cabinet problems
1. he inherited Washington’s - Garraty - “And a sorry lot they were.”
2.couldn’t fire them because of Washington’s prestige
3.lack of people personally close to him
4.salary - $3000 - better opportunities elsewhere
5.cabinet is effectively controlled by Hamilton from New York
a.Adams’ absence from the seat of government contributes to it
b.doesn’t find out until 1799 - then fires the cabinet
F.foreign problems with France
1.the Jay Treaty antagonized the French and led to increased harassment of U.S. shipping - they viewed it as a prelude to an alliance with Great Britain
2.results in an undeclared naval war with France 1797-1798 - more than 300 U.S. ships seized