Chapter 8:  Creating a Nation

Allie Altieri, Emilie Huang, Rebecca Meltzer, Deepthi Penta, Tyler Senackerib

 

You need consistency in your writing, format, style  For example:  you treat some of your commentary as sentences, ending them with periods ("."), while others are, apparently, to be considered something else (because they simply end, and have no punctuation).  This is an unnecessary distraction.  Edit!  Proof-read!

 

▪         Introduction

▫         1790s → David Brown of Dedham, Massachusetts travels Europe and the United States. When settling down after his travels, he begins criticizing the government, calling it a conspiracy against the farmers, artisans, and common folk. 

▫         1798 → Brown is arrested, charged with sedition, and jailed for almost two years.

∙          Provides insight about the difficulty of voicing opinions against the Federal government

∙          Sets the stage for the growing division in the nation

▪         Launching the National Republic

▫         Beginning the New Government

∙          The anti-Federalists were willing to give the Constitution a chance at first, but they were careful and watched it closely

∙          The Electoral College unanimously elected George Washington as the first president of the United States

∙          Grand procession followed Washington as he made his way to New York

◦         Though Washington was elected to the most prestigious office in the nation, he was ambivalent about answering to all expectations of the citizens, but he still served his country as best as he could.  The syntax/grammar of this sentence is confusing.  Edit and proof-read!

∙          March 4, 1789 → New Congress is assembled in City Hall in New York

∙          April 30, 1789 → Inaugural day

◦         Because a new government was set up, every decision, including little issues such as how the president should be addressed, was treated with significance.

▫         The Bill of Rights

∙          Many states wanted a Bill of Rights added along with their ratification of the Constitution

∙          Madison developed specific proposals to present to Congress

◦         Note: Madison, as well as other Federalists such as Hamilton, thought that a Bill of Rights would be superfluous, but they still took the idea into consideration to ease citizens’ worries and gather more support.

∙          September 1789 → Twelve amendments sent to states for approval

∙          December 1791 → Ten ratified for official Bill of Rights document

∙          Rights that are protected include:

◦         Freedom of speech, press, and religion

◦         Right of trial by jury

◦         No “unreasonable searches and seizures”

s           Note: Though many people believe otherwise, the Bill of Rights does NOT protect the individual rights of people. Rather, it states what citizens have a right to.

▫         The People Divide

∙          Within a year of the start of the Washington administration, opposition to the Federalists had already been created in the form of the Jeffersonian Republicans.

∙          The Jeffersonians, led of course by Thomas Jefferson himself, was mostly made up of those who were either suspicious of the growing power of the central government, or were ardently opposed to it.

◦         Point to remember: the Jeffersonians are a group made up of a mix or anti-federalists and southern farmers in favor of “old money,” both who supported Jefferson politically

∙          Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton presented his Reports on Public Credit to Congress in an attempt to promote American development and build national strength with domestic manufacturing and overseas commerce.

∙          January 1790 → First Report on Public Credit created to bring nation out of debt, people exchange securities issued by the Articles of Confederation; government bonds worth the face value of their securities. Government also assume all remaining state war debts. Approved by Congress.

◦         The report caused some commotion because the country was already in debt from the Revolutionary War, having borrowed money from other countries, and was now paying state debts. The states also felt cheated because some states had already succeeded in paying their debts.

◦         Speculators took advantage of new value of old bonds by buying them cheap off of original bearer once they heard it wasn’t completely useless.

∙          Plan to create the National Bank (Bank of the United States) to make private loans or loans to other banks and to hold money from taxes. Also, the idea to encourage private investors to invest in banks. More coins and bills to avoid barter or underground economy. Plan to make the U.S. economy more competitive globally. Approved by Congress.

◦         CONTROVERSIAL. Southerners opposed it because it was mostly benefiting northern merchants and manufacturers. Jeffersonians protested on the basis that it was unconstitutional because it promoted an unending expansion of federal power, when nowhere in the Constitution did it specifically allow Congress this certain right.

∙          December 1790 → Second Report on Public Credit created to bring in government revenue. A series of taxes on commodities was put into place, including the Whiskey Tax (passed in March 1791). Approved by Congress.

◦         Note: federal taxation on commodities = grown from the ground, not a manufactured product. PRODUCER taxed, NOT consumer

◦         Excise taxes may have made life easier for the moneyed elites, businessmen, and merchants.

◦         Difficult for the farmers and farm owners because the producer pays the excise tax, and then in turn they need to raise their prices, causing people to walk away because of the steeper prices and ultimately result in the producer being unable to absorb the difference.

∙          December 1791 → Report on Manufactures created to revive commerce and bring nation together. A system of tariffs was proposed, as well as bounties to enlarge commercial agriculture, and a network of public works (lighthouses, roadways, etc.). NOT approved by Congress.

◦         Ultimately rejected because neither northern seaport districts nor agricultural southerners wanted tariffs that would raise the cost of living and risk a reduction in trade because the U.S. is buying less, therefore other countries give up on higher prices and find goods elsewhere.

∙          In all, Hamilton was wise because he recognized that the country needed to stabilize itself economically, but since the people were still recovering from revolution, they still associated taxation with tyranny, they were sensitive to such radical ideas, and the people were already being divided politically and geographically and seemed implacable.

∙          The people were literally torn into two opposing groups: those for a strong, central government, and those opposed.

◦         The Federalists supported a more powerful central government, and therefore used the “implied powers” allowed by the “necessary and proper” clause to their advantage by interpreting it loosely.

s           This allowed them to strengthen the central government and give it more power, while still abiding by the Constitution.

◦         The Jeffersonians, however, were afraid that the government’s powers were getting out of control. They argued that, especially in the case of the Bank of the United States, the government was misinterpreting the Constitution by implying far too much, pushing their assumptions too far.

s           As far as they were concerned, if it was not specifically written in the Constitution, the power was not designated to the federal government and should therefore be held by the states and/or the people.

▫         The Whiskey Rebellion

∙          August 1792 → A series of resolutions denouncing the Whiskey Tax, as well as stating that citizens would prevent the collection of the tax, are created by a convention in Pittsburgh after growing discontent about the tax from western Pennsylvania farmers. These resolutions are the beginning of the “Whiskey Rebellion.”

∙          August 1794 → Washington calls upon a force of almost 13,000 men to restore order in Pennsylvania, in fear that armed protests may spread through the whole backcountry, but the Whiskey Rebels flee when the army arrives.

∙          Hamilton had been pressing the idea that overcoming a rebellion was a test of the government’s abilities that would strengthen the government, so he urged the use of force against rebels.

◦         The important issue of directing federal troops against American citizens is brought forth, and concluded by Fisher Ames (a representative in the Congress, and also a Federalist) that the public will turn against the government if such force is used upon the people. This event adds to the issues that threaten to divide the developing government.

▪         The Republic in a Threatening World

▫         The Promise and Peril of the French Revolution

∙          1789 → The beginning of the French Revolution, which ultimately is a social revolution that radiates through Europe and leads to declaration of war (Prussia and Great Britain vs. France)

◦         The news of the revolution in America causes citizens to question the future of their own democratic politics, influencing the ideas about the development of the government.

∙          French revolution boosts the American economy due to the international law of trading during wartime.

∙          American compare the French Revolution to the American Revolution and the issue divides the people into supporters of France or supporters of England.

◦         Federalists believe that the revolution threatened Europe, which America needed commercially and diplomatically to develop (therefore, they did not support it)

◦         Other Americans supported France, thinking that bloodshed would lead to political liberty.

▫         Citizen Genêt and the Democratic-Republican Societies

∙          Beginning 1792 → Democratic-Republican Societies, modeled after the Sons of Liberty, formed in opposition of Hamilton’s Plans and in support of the French. Members were generally working people, while leaders were generally doctors, lawyers, and tradesmen.

◦         The Federalists believed that those in the Democratic-Republican Societies were disrespectful due to their opposition to authority; yet thirty years before they did the same thing.  Is opposition only “ok” when you are the one opposing?

∙          “Spirit of ‘76”

◦         April 1793 → Citizen Edmund Genêt’s arrival provides the spark to form the Democratic-Republican societies.  He was supposed to create popular support for France and negotiate a treaty with Washington, but instead, he completely violated America’s neutrality by promoting Americans to act against the British and Spanish.

◦         Genêt’s arrival strengthened the separation between the Federalists and the Jeffersonians.  It divided the nation and let the commoner actively voice their opinion and take action. The strengthened separation moved the Federalists further out of popularity with the common man.  If Genêt had not arrived, the Federalists party may have lasted slightly longer and changed the presidency.

▫         Jay’s Controversial Treaty

∙          1794 → John Jay arrived in England to negotiate a treaty to resolve many of the problems left over from the Revolutionary War.

◦         Jay’s Treaty brought further political divisions.

◦         Jay’s Treaty also brought the public against the Federalist Party; it did not encourage the public to like England, and could have potentially made more people join the Democratic-Republican Societies for France and against England.

∙          1795 → Arrived back in America with a treaty that resolved none of the issues, causing discontent in all regions of the United States.

◦         Southern planters are angry because the treaty offered no compensation for slaves

◦         Westerners concerned that the British were still not evacuating posts

◦         Merchants and sailors unhappy that they still could not ship to the British West Indies and that there was no solution for impressment.

∙          1795 → The Treaty of San Lorenzo, created by Thomas Pinckney, stated that Spain finally recognized the United States borders and would evacuate U.S. territory, and that the U.S. had free navigation of the Mississippi River and could unload on its shores for three years.

∙          September 1796 → Washington’s Farewell Address warns against permanent alliances and factions

◦         Washington’s Farewell Address contained valuable instructions for the nation that influenced the future national and international political decisions of the United States.

◦         A brief overview on Washington’s Farewell Address:

      http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/farewell/

Great idea.

▪         The Political Crisis Deepens

▫         The Election of 1796

∙          With Washington officially retired, the Election of 1796 became the first election where candidates truly competed for presidency.

∙          The two main candidates for this election were John Adams, a politically-focused Federalist, and Thomas Jefferson, an open-minded supporter of state rights.

∙          During the course of the election Jefferson gained many loyal followers; however, Adams took the election by 3 electoral votes, and Jefferson became vice president.

◦         It is important to note that this election established the groundwork for the future idea of political parties.  Adams was a clear member of the Federalists, and Jefferson's supporters rallied together and began to form the Jeffersonian Republican party. 

◦         Breakdown of the Election of 1796:

http://www.presidentelect.org/e1796.html

Another great idea.

▫         The War Crisis with France

∙          Adams sent three commissioners to France as negotiators; they were given no negotiations by the French and returned to America (known as the XYZ-Affair)

∙          Federalists were enraged by France's rudeness and rallied behind Adams, who declared intentions to remove traitors within the States.

∙          Following this, small naval battles were fought between the French and Americans known as the Quasi-War.

◦         These growing tensions with France fueled the Federalist party, who strongly supported a war with France, giving them extra confidence and power over the Jeffersonians.

▫         The Alien and Sedition Acts

∙          As the war seemed to draw closer with France, congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1789

∙          The Naturalization Act required immigrants to be residents for 14 years to gain citizenship

∙          The Alien Act allowed the President to deport any aliens dangerous the nation's welfare

∙          The Alien Enemies Act allowed arrest, imprisonment and deportation of any aliens from the opposing nation.

∙          Finally, the Sedition Act allowed fine and imprisonment for any malicious writing or speaking against the government

◦         Although these documents may appear to be very drastic, there was some logic to them, otherwise they would not have been passed as laws by Congress.  On paper they greatly strengthened the Federal government. However, poor execution led to them being viewed as excessive.  In the end their dramatic, excessive nature made them poor laws with good intent.  Do you really want to argue that these bills had good intent?  While it is true that there were aspects of the bills which were reasonable (for example, the gov't certainly has the right - perhaps even the duty - to establish clear guidelines and laws regarding immigration; look at the controversy in our own day, 2008!), wasn't the over-all intention to silence dissent and political opposition?  And, aren't certain aspects of these bills clear violations of the Bill of Rights?

◦         A copy of the Alien and Sedition Acts:

      http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=16&page=transcript

▫         Local Reverberations

∙          Federalists arrested and fined countless citizens under the Sedition Act for exercising their freedom of speech and press.

∙          In response, Jefferson and Madison published the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, declaring the states' right to nullify the Alien and Sedition Acts

∙          Adams attempted a second negotiation with France, and to the dismay of many Federalists, put an end to the threat of war.

◦         Although the power of the Sedition Act was abused, it is important to point out that only two states in the entire Union attempted to pass any legislation against it. These two resolutions declared that states of the right to nullify and ignore Federal law, if they deem it unconstitutional.  Although this seems like a good idea, giving individual states the power to "pick and choose" which laws they follow has the potential to destroy any power in the Federal government and ruin the unity of the United States.

◦         A copy of the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions:

      http://www.constitution.org/cons/kent1798.htm

      http://www.constitution.org/cons/virg1798.htm

▫         The “Revolution of 1800”

∙          Election between Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, and John Adams

∙          Verbal attacks were exchanged back and forth between the divided Federalists and the Jeffersonians

◦         The Federalist party was split because the Hamiltonians did not want Adams to be reelected to the presidency due to his “disloyalty” when he made peace with France possible.

∙          Republican candidates Jefferson and Burr tied with 73 electoral votes each. Adams trailed with 65 votes. Election moved to House of Representatives between Burr and Jefferson

∙          Jefferson elected on 36^th ballot, ten states to four

◦         The twelfth amendment was added to the Constitution after this election so that the president and the vice-president were elected separately. Before this, the candidate who received the second highest amount of votes would get the vice-presidency. This traditional way was a crisis because of the tie between Burr and Jefferson.

∙          Federalists lost control of presidency and Congress

◦         Why was this election referred to as a revolution? There was a total party change from the Federalists to the Jeffersonians NOT ONLY in the executive branch, but also in Congress.  Also note that prior to the election, many people believed that there would be bloodshed in the streets if Jefferson won because he was a supporter of the French Revolution

∙          Sectional divisions in politics clearly shown after the election

◦         Federalists (merchants, manufacturers, commercial farmers)- mainly in New England

◦         Jeffersonians (workers, artisans, agriculturalists, old Anti-Federalists)- dominant from Maryland south

◦         Mixed- middle states

 

▪         IDs

▫         David Brown - arrested for speaking out against the government

▫         George Washington - President of the United States (1789-1797), importance of Inaugural presentation and Farewell Address

▫         James Madison - developed amendments for the Bill of Rights, published Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

▫         Alexander Hamilton - produced economic plan, urged use of force against rebels

▫         Citizen Edmund Genêt - arrival caused creation of Democratic-Republican Societies, was supposed to negotiate treaty with Washington

▫         John Jay - sent to England as negotiator but arrived back with useless treaty that did not solve issues left over from American Revolution

▫         Thomas Pinckney - Created Treaty of San Lorenzo

▫         John Adams - ran against Jefferson in election of 1796 (became president)

▫         Thomas Jefferson - ran in election of 1796 (became vice-president); also ran in election in 1800 (became president); published Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

▫         Aaron Burr - ran in election of 1800 against Jefferson and Adams

▫         Jay’s Treaty

▫         Bill of Rights

▫         Hamilton’s Reports

▫         Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

▫         Alien and Sedition Acts

▫         Whiskey Rebellion

▫         French Revolution

▫         Washington’s Inauguration

▫         XYZ Affair

▫         Revolution of 1800

▫         Election of 1796

▪         Important Geography

▫         Philadelphia - new location of the “seat of government”

▫         New York City - location of Washington’s inauguration

▫         Mississippi River, New Orleans - transportation allowed on river due to Treaty of San Lorenzo

▫         Massachusetts

▫         Pennsylvania

▫         New York

▫         Virginia

▫         Kentucky

▫         France

▫         England

▪         Vocabulary

▫         Nullification – the ability (of a state) to declare federal law unjust and ignore it

▫         Secession – a formal withdraw; historically, the ability of a state to leave the United States of America

▫         Sedition – acts that encourage rebellion against an authority

▫         Democratic-Republican Society – associations that generated support for revolutionary France, caused by the arrival of Genêt

▫         Excise tax – a tax on a particular good, paid by the consumer

▫         Tariff – a tax levied on imports

▫         Commodities – products grown from the ground, NOT manufactured

▫         Elastic Clause – a clause in the Constitution giving the government the power to create laws “necessary and proper” for carrying out the powers already given to it

 

 

Over-all, excellent work.  The use of outside links is terrific.  Commentary is all solid and often terrific.  Sloppy editing makes for unfortunate distractions (as does some of the formatting, which is hard to 'see' at times), however, and takes away from what is, otherwise, a very professional bit of work.  One other flaw:  you summarize too much - just about everything in the chapter!  Remember:  LESS IS MORE.  You should only be bringing our attention to the important aspects of this chapter (and history).   93/A