Mutinous Moonshiners in Pennsylvania
Busch Notes CH 10 Part 2
Mutinous Moonshiners in Pennsylvania
Whiskey Rebellion-1794
-In the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area
-Challenged the Excise Tax on Whiskey ordered by US Gov’t (part of revenues for Hamilton’s Financial Plan)
-The farmers believed that this was an undue burden on an economic necessity (corn and rye too heavy to haul—distilled into whiskey made it easier to bring to market and it was also used in the Barter System as a medium of Exchange.
-The rebels tarred and feathered the excise tax collectors… similar to stamp act actions pre-revolution.
GW’s perspective of rebels actions:
-Saw it as a DIRECT CHALLENGE to the new Federal Government…
-GW organizes a 13,000 man Federal US Army (remember that there was a very very small army left after the revolution, most framers saw a large standing army as a threat to democracy… so these had to be recruited and trained---this fact will also cause us problems dealing with the Native Americans on our Frontier west of the Appalachian Mountains in disputed territory).
Troops march out to Western Pennsylvania---and guess what? NO Rebels to be found
Impact: GWs response to situation showed the power of the new Federal Government AND how it could be used… this action will strike fear in some and lead to some opposing this NEW POWERFUL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (becoming Jeffersonian Democratic Republicans supporting a weaker National Government)
The Emergence of Political Partiessee chart p. 197*** for evolution of the Two-Party System in the USA***
Hamilton’s Financial Plan is a success –
-The USA now has sound credit rating in the world.
-The US Treasury could now borrow $ as needed.
However, Hamilton’s Plans created Political Liabilities***
-To some (Jeffersonian Democratic Republicans) Hamilton’s plan encroached on powers that should be left to the States
-To some The New Federal Government HAD BECOME TOO POWERFUL.
Due to this… an ORGANIZED OPPOSITION BEGINS TO FORM - (Jeffersonian Democratic Republicans)***
It was no longer just a person feud between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson/James Madison…
Before this occurs ***POLITICAL PARTIES DO NOT EXIST IN THE USA (GW is never a member of a party***, but does support Federalist positions often)
Factions existed (one issue temporarily organized groups…e.g., Federalist v. Anti-Federalists during the ratification debate)
The Framers of the Constitution did not even consider Political Parties when constructing the Constitution…
-they did not exist
-the idea seemed to them to be disloyal
- the idea went against the spirit of National Unity inspired by the Revolution
-The British NON- Example—was seen to be a corrupting factor in the British System
-Madison in Federalist Papers #s 10 & 51 directly addresses the idea that this is bad and stresses how this can be avoided
by the “Extended Republic.”
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison begin to “organize opposition” to Hamilton & (GW?) and the threat of this powerful new Federal Government.
-at first they (TJeff & JMad) work in Congress only and do not anticipate a long-lived PERMANENT PARTY.
BUT… events unfold to change their plans… ****
-The disagreement over Hamilton’s Financial Plan begins this conflict…but as other issues arise…especially in Foreign Policy the Political Parties “cement” or become permanent***
THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM*** HAS ENDURED TO THIS DAY— ONE minor exception coming after the War of 1812 until 1830s (called the “Era of Good Feelings” – 1 party rule-the Federalist Party temporarily disappears---the Whig Party appears as the opposition party to begin the Two-Party system permanently from this point on).
The Text:
“The competition for power, among the 2 parties, has proved to be among the indispensable ingredients of a sound democracy. The party out of power has played an invaluable role checking the power of the party in control.”A continuity for sure…***
The Impact of the French Revolution (1789 – 1815-26 years) on the USA *** huge***
GW, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison –all of these Presidents are forced to deal with this conflict (Becomes a major world war)****
“Few non-American events have left a deeper scar on American political and social life.”
The French Revolution sent tremors throughout the Western World.
The Two Political Parties - {Hamilton’s FEDERALISTS & Jefferson/Madison’s Democratic-Republicans} – find permanence due to the effect of the French Revolution on the USA.***
***Hamilton’s FEDERALISTS – support Britain***
***Jefferson’s DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS – support France***
As George Washington’s 2nd Term as President (1793 -1797) begins Foreign Policy issues causes conflict between the two parties.
The French Revolution begins in 1789 as GW takes office in his 1st term…early on the French Revolution is peaceful…and attempts to impose constitutional limitations on the French King Louis XVI. AMERICANS CHEERED—a 2nd chapter of their revolution, it is spreading
At first… only a few FEDERALISTS…opposed the FR… due to their FEAR of change, reform, “levelling,” questioned the power of the mob…mobocracy… Of course the Jeffersonian Democratic Republicans are OVERJOYED…
BUT…by 1792… THE FRENCH REVOLUTION BECAME BLOODY—the REIGN OF TERROR—guillotine….”heads will roll”
1793- French King is beheaded…
The FEDERALISTS—begin to oppose the French Revolution in force…
The Dem-Rep.s - regret the bloodshed…BUT…
“One cannot expect to be carried from despotism to liberty in a feather-bed…a few thousand aristocratic heads were a cheap price to pay for human freedom.” TJEFF
GWs Neutrality Proclamation****huge****
Early on the battles of the French Revolution do not effect America…BUT… perils loom ahead!
As always… European wars eventually all come to affect the NEW WORLD…
WAR IS DECLARED BETWEEN BRITAIN & FRANCE***
****GW has a difficult decision… should he honor the FRANCO-AMERICAN TREATY OF ALLIANCE, 1778?
This treaty FOREVER bound the USA to defend (troops, etc..) the French West Indian Islands againstattack
Most Jeffersonian Democratic-Republicans SUPPORT FRANCE!! They favor helping France and honoring our commitment, were eager to oppose Great Britain, AND BELIEVED THAT THE USA OWED ITS FREEDOM TO FRANCE****
THEY BELIEVE WE SHOULD FIGHT!
GW…however…is not convinced***backed by Hamilton and the FEDERALISTS….GW believes WAR SHOULD BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS!!****
He, GW, accurately judges that the USA in 1793…were
1-Militarily Weak (small standing army, almost no navy)
2-Economically Weak
3-Politically disunited (appearance of Jeffersonian Dem-Rep)
GW BELIEVED THAT IF WAR COULD NOT BE AVOIDED CATASTROPHE WOULD ENSUE---POTENTIALLY LOSING OUR INDEPENDENCE…if war could be avoided…in time America would be strong enough…BUT NOT NOW… so he decides on a strategy of delay…
****GW issues the NEUTRALITY PROCLAMATION 1793
1-Declared the USA “Neutral” in this war.
2-Declared ALL US Citizens “Neutral” in this war.
***this action is the BASIS/BEGINNING of thelongstanding American Foreign Policy idea called “ISOLATIONISM.”****
****This action of GW is controversial*** HE DOES NOT CONSULT CONGRESS AT ALL*** another example of a very powerful Federal Government… THE DEM-REP’S ARE VERY UPSET---his lack of consulting Congress first & THE FACT THAT THEY SUPPORT THE FRENCH*** Of course the FEDERALISTS supported GWs decision due to their (Hamilton) fear that a WAR and a WAR where we supported the French would ruin the economy…due to our strong trade with Great Britain…and thus…ruin the gains made to this point by Hamilton’s Financial Plan…****
The Genet Incident: **
Edmund Genet was a representative of the NEW Revolutionary French Government…. He is sent to the USA to get support in the war against GB despite our Proclamation of Neutrality… He arrives in Charleston, SC and begins to hire Private Ship Owners (Privateers-Pirates) to attack and harass the British Navy in the Caribbean Sea primarily…. HE RECEIVED A JOYOUS WELCOMEfrom Democratic-Republicans…AND ASSUMED that it was OK to VIOLATE GWs PROCLAMATION OF NEUTRALITY----When cautioned to stop ---Genet says,” Old Washington===I will just do what I want the people of the USA support me not him….(really)…. SO HE BEGINS TO RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS FOR ARMIES TO ATTACK----CANADA, SPANISH FLORIDA, AND SPANISH LOUISIANA!!! UH –OH…he is in BIG Trouble…
George Washington demands the French Government remove their representative from the USA …. They do
Assessment of the Neutrality Proclamation from a US perspective…
American Neutrality actually favored France…because if the US would have allied with France…all of their shipping would have been seized by the British Navy {the most powerful in the world} and the French West Indies would have starved….
Because they were neutral…despite some British harassment… they were able to feed the French West Indies…
Embroilments with Britain
The British sorely tested GWs Neutrality Proclamation… consistently…
1 The British remained in 7 forts along the Great Lakes on US SOIL*** (map p.200)
This violated the Treaty of Paris, 1783 that ended the Revolutionary War… (US not militarily strong enough to kick them out)
-The British used the Forts as “staging” areas that supported their control of the Fur Trade and to aide and supply many Native American tribes.The British also used the forts to sell firearms to the Native Americans.
2-The British wanted to build an “Indian Buffer State” in order to slow down the American expansion West… disrupting their relationships with various Native American Tribes…. Thus interfere in the Fur Trade… (Some Historians claim the 1st American Millionaire is John Jacob Astor…who competed with the British Fur Trade…. And won…beginning in this time)
3- The British Supported the “Miami Confederacy,” {Western Confederacy} Led by War Chief, “Little Turtle” and also Joseph Brandt and the Iroquois.
War with the Native American “Western Confederacy” – or – Miami Confederacy
This confederacy of Western Native Tribes… Led by the Miami Indians---also call that included all tribes from the Great Lakes all the way South to the Lower Cherokee and Muscogee… border of West Florida… encouraged by Spain and Britain to attempt to halt the westward push of the American Settlers… into the NW Territory ---already surveyed by now… and also into the SW Territory… already begun by groups like the Watauga Association…
****Conflicts raged along the frontier through 1790 & 91 --- 2 battles between the USA & the Miami’s …. Both WON BY THE MIAMI’S LED BY LITTLE TURTLE--- defeated US armies led by Arthur St. Clair and Josiah Harmer) … Killing hundreds (in the BATTLE OF FORT RECOVERY, OHIO-- over 632/920 American soldiers, led by Northwest territory Governor Arthur St. Clair, were killed and 264 wounded {908 out of 920 killed or wounded) + over 200 “Camp Followers” killed…the WORST DEFEAT OF AN AMERICAN ARMY EVER****when facing Native Americans*** Native Americans were led by Little Turtle & Blue Jacket—the Natives also included over 200 Cherokee Warriors from both the Overmountain and Lower Towns participated… a TRUE WESTERN NATIVE AMERICAN CONFEDERACY.***
The Miami’s told the USA that they’re Southwest Border was the Ohio River… and to stay out…. The USA claimed that they had won the land between the Appalachians and the Mississippi River in the Revolutionary War and at the Treaty of Paris, 1783…
The Miami’s nor ANY NATIVE AMERICANS WERE PRESENT OR CONSULTED ON THE TREATY of Paris, 1783…..Where the British GAVE AWAY THE NATIVE’s LAND….without even consulting them…but were angry with the Americans???
THE RISE OF “THE LEGION OF THE UNITES STATES OF AMERICA” – due to America’s commitment to a small standing army during peacetime… the armed forces that had fought the Native’s previously and been massacred were largely untrained temporary soldiers… GW authorizes General “Mad Anthony” Wayne to recruit and train over 4,000 new soldiers…called THE LEGION OF THE USA . IN 1793 GEN. WAYNE MOVED THE LEGION TO PITTSBURGH….. AND AFTER RIGOROUS TRAINING IN NEW TECHNIQUES OF LIGHTNING QUICK MOVEMENTS USING LIGHTER CANNON PULLED BY HORSES…
**IN 1794 THE LEGION OF THE USA STRIKES THE MIAMI’S (WESTERN CONFEDERACY) AT THE BATTLE OF FALLEN TIMBERS*****
Near modern day Toledo, Ohio… Fort Miami, a British controlled outpost was close… to aid the Natives….
Due to the tremendously rigorous and technologically advanced training of THE LEGION OF THE USA… GEN. WAYNE’S FORCES ROUT THE NATIVES… The Natives when retreating attempted to use the British Fort…but the British locked the Gates… unwilling to start a war with the USA… The Legion proceeded to slaughter the natives and for at least a week destroyed nearby villages and crops..
****The Treaty of Greenville- 1795***
This treaty ended the Northwest (Western Confederacy) Indian War…(until the War of 1812 and the rise of Tecumseh, next unit )
-The treaty was between the Western Confederacy of Tribes and the USA
-It is considered to be the beginning of Ohio History…
-The Treaty established an “Annuity System”: yearly grants of $ (9K) + a one-time payment of (20K) + yearly amounts of clothes for the Natives… beginning the USAs practice of “institutionalizing” the Native Americans by continued influence of the US government in Native American affairs.
-The USA received… large parts of modern day Ohio, the site of future downtown Chicago, and the Fort Detroit area.
-This victory forces the British out of 4 of the 7 forts along the Great Lakes and opens up the Northwest Territory to massive settlement in the coming years.
The British Navy in the Caribbean
While the battles were raging in the West… The British Navy at war with France and attempting to starve them into surrender….began to CONFISCATE AMERICAN SUPPLY SHIPS { OVER 300 } GOING TO FRENCH WEST INDIAN ISLANDS… ALSO BEGAN TO “IMPRESS”****** (this same action later will lead to the War of 1812)*** { gave US sailors on these ships a choice: serve in the British Navy or Prison (forced service is called “Impressment”) OR IMPRISON ALL AMERICAN SAILORS ON THE 300+ SHIPS THAT ARE CONFISCATED.
American Reaction:
The Jeffersonian Dem. Rep.’s, of course, WANTED WAR WITH BRITAIN*** at least boycott all trade***
Hamilton and the Federalists—of course- resisted all demands for War or Economic Sanctions… due to their fear of how this would upset the positive economic trend…and that it would ruin Hamilton’s Financial Plan***
*****GW SENDS (Federalist Party Member, 1 of the 3 authors of the Federalist Papers, & sitting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court) JOHN JAY to negotiate an end to the conflicts with GB…before they would lead to WAR….DEM-REP’S unhappy with the choice of Jay due to his Federalist Party connections and obvious support of GB***
Jay’s Treaty, 1795 & George Washington’s Farewell Address*****both huge****
-JJay infuriates Dem. Rep.s –when he arrives in Britain he kisses the Queen’s hand
- Alexander Hamilton concerned with the outcome that might lead to a loss of British trade with the USA secretly gives the The USA’s plan to Britain ahead of time… no matter… the USA was coming to negotiate with a VERY WEAK POSITION
ANYWAY***
-The British agree to remove troops from forts on US soil (4 0f 7, actually do leave)
-The British agree to compensate $$$ US Owners of the 300 Ships for their losses (mostly Federalists) ****
-America agrees to pay all debts from before the Revolutionary WAR (Mostly Southerners and Dem. Rep.s)****
-Both agree to arbitration to settle border disputes between British North America (now Canada) and the USA
-The treaty is credited with averting war between the USA and Great Britain…BUT… THE TREATY IS OPPOSED STRENUOUSLY BY THE JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICANS***THIS TREATY “CEMENTS” THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM IN THE USA—FOREVER---
-GW DESPITE SOUTHERN AND DEM. REP. OPPOSITION----SUPPORTS THE TREATY ---AND IT IS CONFIRMED IN THE SENATE BY A 2/3RDS MAJORITY VOTE****THIS BEGINS THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM IN THE USA***
-THE TREATY LASTS 10 YEARS… WHEN IT EXPIRES IT LEADS TO THE WAR OF 1812 BETWEEN THE USA & GB.
-THIS TREATY WILL LEAD TO CONFLICT WITH FRANCE---UNDER J. ADAMS PRESIDENCY***(XYZ AFFAIR, THE “QUASI-WAR”, THE ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS, & THE VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY RESOLUTIONS)
-THIS TREATY ALSO LEADS SPAIN TO QUICKLY NEGOTIATE A TREATY WITH THE USA
THE PINCKNEY TREATY***(Treaty of San Lorenzo or Treaty of Madrid) 1795*****SEE MAP P. 175***
- Spain feared a US-GB alliance…so…
-defined the boundaries between the USA and Spanish Louisiana (gave USA West Florida) Opens up the Future “COTTON KINGDOM” AND BEGAN THE SOUTHEASTERN INDIAN WARS TO OPEN THE WAY TO US SETTLEMENT OF THE REGION**** HUGE****
-guaranteed Navigation rights on the Mississippi River
-guaranteed the “right of deposit” in New Orleans
- *****COMBINED WITH THE TREATY OF GREENVILLE IN THE NORTHWEST IT BEGINS THE “MANIFEST DESTINY”******PHASE OF AMERICAN EXPANSIONISM THAT LASTS FROM THIS TIME UNTIL THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR IN 1861****
*****-SOON AFTER, 1800, NAPOLEON SECRETLY REAQUIRES LOUISIANA AND NEW ORLEANS IN THE 3RD TREATY OF SAN ILDEFONSO IN 1800.******** LEADS TO THE LA. PURCHASE (1803) BY TJEFF & THE USA*********