Study Guide: The Federalist Era
Federal Government = National Government
Federalists support a strong national government controlling the country, rather than strong state governments working to control the country equally.
SWBAT
• Describe the Internal and External troubles of the Federalist era: both GW (George Washington) and JA’s(John Adams) administrations.
• Contrast (differences between)
– Hamilton’s “Federalist” party with
– Jefferson’s “Democratic-Republican” party
• Explain two suggestions of GW gave upon his leaving office. Do we follow them today?
• Explain the “Alien and Sedition Acts,”
– Why they were created
– Who opposed them
George Washington Takes Over:
• 30 APR 1789 First Presidential sworn-in
• He had to:
– Create Bureaucracy (system of government) to carry out laws
– Create Judicial System
– Raise money (TAXES!) to run federal govt.
– Create Precedents (ways of carrying out the rules and orders of the new constitution establishing a pattern or habits to be followed by the next president)
The Bill of Rights (BOR)
• By SEP 1789 twelve amendments (changes) to the Constitution were submitted to the states.
• It took until 1791 for the ten amendments to be passed becoming the BORs.
• Main purpose of the BORs was to protect people (individuals) from the government.
– How does it do that? – establishes Freedoms and provides protections
The Judicial System
• Judiciary Act of 1789
– Established Supreme Court
– There was one Chief Justice and five associate judges
– Created Sixteen lower federal courts to try federal cases
– Also established office of Attorney General, Prosecuting Attorneys & Federal Marshalls (police)
The Executive Branch
• Created a Cabinet (advisors to the President). They were called secretaries.
• Three most important Departments, each headed by a Secretary
– Department of State – dealt with Foreign Affairs – Thomas Jefferson
– Department of War – dealt with Military matters – Henry Knox
– Depart of the Treasury – dealt with Financial Problems – Alexander Hamilton
• Originally thought to be individual advisors, came to be a counsel of advisors, including the Attorney General, called the Cabinet.
Hamilton’s Policies (ideas and actions)
• Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury
• Pay off foreign debt ($80 million!)
• “Funding” Buy up Rev bonds & issue new
- Most Bonds not w/original purchasers
- Had been sold at <value to speculators
- Ham’s plan would benefit the speculators
• Assume all State debts
• Establish a National Bank – creates system of common currency under national control
Whiskey Tax
• Levied specifically against Western PA
– Corn too bulky to transport, was converted to whiskey
– Western Pa Refused to pay taxes
• Washington wanted to assert Federal power
– Gathered 15,000 militia, GW & Hamilton at the lead
• Rebellion scattered, Fed power was asserted
Indian Relations
• NW (Great Lakes) territory claims after the Revolution
• Indians had not been represented at Treaty of Paris 1783 (ending Rev War)
– GB gave land West of Appalachians, East of Mississippi to U.S., Indians were there but not considered
Indian Relations part 2
• Battles in 1790, 1792 won by Indians
• In 1794 Battle of Fallen Timbers won by “Mad” Anthony Wayne
Foreign Relations
• In France: The French Revolution was taking place
– Initially popularly supported by the U.S., especially Thomas Jefferson
– As anarchy & blood was spilled in France (Beheadings), opinion shifted
• French declared war on Great Britain in 1793, American opinion divided – who should we support?
****Difficulties of the First Administration (Presidency)
• Pass Bill of Rights
• Establish Federal Court system
• Select Executive Advisors, the Cabinet
• How to Fund (pay for) the new govt.
• Difficult Foreign relations
– Internally with Indians
– Externally, France and England
Foreign Affairs (Relations)
• The French Revolution caused what in the US? Divisions – many people felt we should support the French Revolution and France in their War against Great Britain. Many did not.
• The French & British reactions to GWs declaration were: they attacked American trade ships, put economic pressure on the U.S.
• Issues w/Indians were settled by – resettlement, treaties, and force
Origins of the Two Party System
• Two parties developed around the leadership and opinions of…
– Thomas Jefferson, Democratic-Republican(democratic representation of the people)
– Alexander Hamilton, Federalists(strong central government)
Jefferson’s Beliefs:
Ø main writer of the Declaration of Independence –“ life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, born wealth, studied law
Ø Beliefs: Believed the “common man” would rise to the occasion if given enough information/education and should lead the nation
Ø Franco-phile: Supported the French- he believed we should get involved in French Revolution
Ø Ideal economy: gentleman (educated) farmers – agrarian (focus on farming for independence)
Ø Type of Government: strong states, weak central (federal) government
Ø Did not support Alien and Sedition acts- belief in free speech to criticize poor choices of government
Hamilton’s Beliefs:
Ø Washington’s aid during the Revolutionary War, established economic system in the U.S. – pretty much the same back then as it is today, born poor
Ø Beliefs: Believed the “Common Man” was selfish – therefore need a strong central leadership to lead people (elite-ist)
Ø Anglo-phile: Believed in connection with Britain was stronger
Ø Ideal economy: industry: production and manufacture – factories, making and trading goods in city centers
Ø Type of Government: strong centralized federal government to protect against greed
Ø Supported the Alien and Sedition act
George Washington’s Farewell Address
What Advice did George Washington give the new country as he left office?
Ø National Unity - Remain united as a nation not a collection of regions or states
Ø Avoid party politics – parties will cause country to separate (sectionalism)
Ø Focus on using the tools of government as a force to improve collective and individual happiness
Ø Use only amendments to change the Constitution
Ø Promote moral principles and provide education to promote knowledgeable citizenry
Ø Avoid being entangled (stuck) in problems between other nations
Ø Avoid increasing debt especially during times of peace
John Adams’ Presidency (president #2)
• Election of 1796 very close
– Northern Federalist - 70 electors
– Southern Republicans - 68 electors
• Adams President (Federalist)
– Jefferson was his Vice-President (Republican – Democrat)
Foreign Affairs under John Adams
• War? With France?
– France outraged over Jay Treaty w/Great Britain (our former enemy!)
– France began seizing American ships, “Quasi War”
– Federalists wanted War with France
– Democratic-Republicans were generally considered “Francophiles” (liked France)
• Adams sent negotiators to France
– Informed Adams a bribe was demanded by the French
– Adams kept it secret to NOT enflame war fever
• Representatives thinking Adams wanted war and was keeping the “peace offer” secret demanded release of letter.
– Letter was released French ambassadors were listed as X, Y, Z (
– Became known as the XYZ Affair
– Quote “Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute!”
• Much War talk, but no actual war
Election of 1800, War of Words
• Adams was believed to not be Federalist enough, lost votes in the North
• Final Electoral Tally
– Thomas Jefferson – 73
– Aaron Burr – 73
– John Adams – 65
• Hamilton hated Aaron Burr more than TJ, so supported TJ
Alien and Sedition Acts
• Laws passed during Adam’s presidency to kick non-citizens out of the country and control negative speech against the government
Hamilton supported the Acts because it protected the government/nation against people working and speaking against the country
Thomas Jefferson did not support the Acts because he was secretly speaking against Adams’ presidency and he believed in the freedom to express opposing views especially those against the Federalist system of government
John Adams and the Federalists Last Word
• The outgoing Adams’ administration and Federalist’s Congress increased the number of federal judges and all of those appointed were FEDERALISTS.
• The courts consistently interpreted laws as FEDERALISTS for next couple of decades.
• Most famous, Marbury v. Madison: established Judicial Review – the ability of the Supreme Court to review court cases and establish the legality of laws – constitutionality of laws.