Federalists v. Anti-FederalistsAPUSH

The Formative Years-1790s•Adopted new constitution, created the Bill of

rights, political parties emerge, a new capital•Threats of civil war

▫Strong military and economy, a national bank, a standing army, industrial nation (Hamilton)

▫Agrarian society, no national bank, no standing army, and no strong centralized government (Jefferson) Both sought the interests of the nation, but had

different opinions on how to best achieve it

“If I could go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all” -Jefferson

•Fear that political parties are a threat to enlightened government-no intention when the Constitution is framed to have political parties

•Factors that contribute: ▫Washington, Adams, Hamilton: Fear that

opponents want to destroy the Union, subvert morality and property rights, and ally the U.S. with France

▫Jefferson: Fear that Federalists are trying to create a monarchy, with a standing army, high taxes, and government subsidized monopoly

Defining the Presidency•Constitution is written permitting an

executive branch, but uncertainty about how the position should be defined. ▫constitutional monarch who delegates or

president who runs government himself▫Relationship between the branches▫Foreign policy

Hamilton’s Financial Plan• Biggest problem for U.S.=financial

▫ Huge debt▫ Paper money under Articles=worthless▫ No foreign credit available

• Debt:▫ Hamilton’s solution: Federal Gov. assume the debt of all the

states, pay it off by borrowing money at low interest rates▫ Problem: states, MD, PA, and NC, had paid off their debt and

don’t want to pay taxes to the federal gov. to pay off other states debts. Whiskey Rebellion

▫ Solution: after 6 months of debate Jefferson and Madison reach an agreement: in exchange for southern support of deal the new capital would be placed on the Potomac (in the south)

Hamilton’s Financial Plan•The debt pay off was a success

▫Made them attractive to foreign investors▫Capital pours into U.S.

•Bank of the United States▫Modeled after the Bank of England▫Would collect taxes, hold government funds,

make loans to the governments and borrowers•Opposition: Unconstitutional?•Passed-1791, for 20 years•Washington’s thoughts?

Hamilton’s Financial Plan•Industrialization

▫High tariffs designed to protect the nation’s interest-end British manufacturing hold on U.S.

▫Opposition: Jefferson, thought that industrialization threatened agrarian society

▫Hamilton: focus on investment, commerce, and industry. Wants to move away from slave society-member of NY’s first anti-slavery society

Hamilton’s Financial Plan•Jefferson’s vision triumphed

▫Painted Hamilton as an elitist and admirer of Britain

▫Portrayed himself as an advocate of republicanism, equality, and economic opportunity Followed by farmers, craftsmen, small

manufacturers, artisans-all begin to support a New Party-DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICANS

Balance of Power

•Federalists•Democratic-Republicans

The Adams Presidency-1796-1800 The End of Federalist Supremacy

A poisoned Chalice?•1796-the LAST federalist victory•WHY?

▫No “Washington glue” to hold together the parties

▫Hamilton still the “father of federalism”▫Adams: uncertain, aloof, naive▫Adams-71, Jefferson-68 electoral votes▫President-Adams, Vice-President-Jefferson

X, Y, Z, Affair•French anger and U.S. and Great Britain

over the Jay Treaty•French refuse to accept a U.S. diplomat•Adams avoids war, seeks discussion

▫Sends 3 diplomats to France▫French demand a loan and a bribe to meet

and discuss solution▫U.S. refuses-Anti-French fervor peaks

Anti-Republican fervor peaks too!

Impact•“Quasi-War” with France•Department of the Navy is established-85

French ships captured•REAL end of French-U.S. relations after

the Revolution•Federalists increase majority in Congress

Balance of Power•Federalists•Democratic-Republicans

Alien and Sedition Acts•Purpose: Silence Republicans for good!

▫Republicans=foreign influence=bad!

▫Acts Citizenship requirement 4-15 years President can jail/deport “undesirables” Fine/Jail for seditious statements that threaten

government Attacks Republican Press 1st Amendment Rights….Free Speech?

▫Adams Uncertain…unwilling…unsure

Balance of Power•Federalists

•Democratic Republicans

Virginia and Kentucky Resolves•VA and KY (Jefferson and Madison) using

Locke’s ideas▫States are the Central government▫They CAN declare acts VOID if they go

beyond the powers delegated to Congress No other states jump on the bandwagon But hugely effective for Republicans

Puts the issue on the National stage

Lyon vs. Griswold (1798)•Battle in Congress

"He in a trice struck Griswold thrice / Upon his head enraged, Sir; / Who seized the tongs to ease his wrongs, / And Griswold thus engaged, Sir."

Balance of Power• Federalists

• Democratic-Republicans

Election of 1800-Mudslinging•Jefferson vs. Adams-AGAIN•Jefferson now has a POPULAR ISSUE to

campaign on

•Adams-perception▫“King reincarnated”▫“Limiter of Liberty”

Election of 1800 or the Revolution of 1800

•Best laid plans go wrong!•Most votes=President•Second most=V.P.

▫Electors vote for TWO people▫SO….Dem-Rep. want to make sure that

Burr gets the V.P. BUT….electors make mistake! Jefferson=73 Burr=73

Election of 1800•A FEDERALIST Congress has to decide

the future REPUBLICAN President!▫Hamilton votes…for Jefferson!

Burr=too risky, unreliable

Balance of Power• Federalists

• Democratic Republicans

Election of 1800