Age of Jefferson Flashcards
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Precedent
1789-1797
Set the precedent of limited terms and peaceful transition of powa!
Hamilton’s Compromise
(during the presidency of George Washington)
Hamilton’s Compromise: Build U.S. capital in South (Washington, DC)
In exchange, Southern states promised to help pay back national debt
First Bank of United States
(during the presidency of George Washington)
1791: Hamilton creates Bank of the United States (today: U.S. Treasury) Government deposits taxes in the U.S. bank. US Bank then issues loans in paper currency based on total money. Paper money allows quick loans to farmers and businesses
Hamilton’s Tariff
(during the presidency of George Washington)
Wanted to tax all goods imported (coming) into U.S., with the objective of convincing Americans to buy American made goods
Whiskey Rebellion
(during the presidency of George Washington)
During 1791, to raise money, Congress put a tax on all liquor (whiskey was most popular)sold. This tax sparked a rebellion against a young untested US government. The farmers made lots of money. off of whiskey, because it was distilled from grain, so when their customers stopped buying whiskey, they were super mad. During 1794, Farmers protested against the taxes and in Philly, they started tarring and feathering U.S. tax collectors. GW was mad, so he use a military display of 13,000 militiamen to show the US that the US would not tolerate rebellions.
Washington’s farewell
1797-Washington set precedent for only having 8 years in office at most, and GW said to the US that he feared if the US began splitting into political parties, we would fight and other countries would take advantage of that. He also suggested we stay out of foreign relations for a while.
Democratic-Republicans Core beliefs and leaders
Led by Thomas Jefferson
Believed common people should have political power
Favored strong state governments
Emphasized agriculture & crops (pro-slavery)
Favored strict interpretation of Constitution
Pro France
Disapproved of the Bank of the U.S.
Opposed Hamilton’s tariff on foreign imports
Federalists Core beliefs and leaders
Led by Alexander Hamilton
Believed wealthy & educated should have political power
Favored strong federal government
Emphasized factories & trade
Favored loose interpretation of Constitution
Pro Britain
Supported Bank of the U.S.
Supported Hamilton’s tariff on foreign imports
Strict interpretation vs. loose interpretation
Strict interpretation is something is only constitutional if it is written directly in the Constitution, whereas loose interpretation is when somethings doesn’t need to be written directly in the constitution for it to be Constitutional
XYZ Affair
Adams tries to keep trading w/. both France & Britain
But: British use their navy to attack a weakened France Retaliation: French begin seizing (taking control of) U.S. trade ships in Atlantic Ocean. Adams sends diplomats to speak w/. French Foreign Minister Charles Maurice de Talleyrand
Tallyrand refuses to speak with U.S. diplomats
Three French gov’t reps (Agents X, Y & Z) demand bribe of $250,000 + $10 million loan
Result: Adams = furious & Federalists demand war w/. France
Alien and Sedition Acts
Thomas Jefferson and the Demo-reps still want an alliance with France, but The Federalist party controls Congress. Hamilton quietly attacks D-R’s support of the French, so they create the Alien and Sedition Acts. Goal: Federalists want to paint D-R’s as traitors to U.S.A.
Alien Act: Can deport and disenfranchise foreigners
Alien = a foreigner (most of whom were D/Rs)
Sedition Act: Restricted D-R’s from speaking out against gov’t
Sedition = treason (deliberately hurting your own country)
Outcome: Jefferson & D-R’s claim this is an attack on 1st Amendment (Freedom of Speech) and D-R’s crush the Federalist in the next election because they broke the right that they made.
(Federalist party is crushed)
Election of 1800
President Adams: Disagrees w/. Hamilton’s influence over Federalist Party
Issues:
1798: Alien & Sedition Acts begin to undermine Adams’s authority.
1800: Adams makes a peace treaty w/. France
Outcome:
Feud breaks out between Hamilton and Adams over Federalist leadership.
Hamilton publishes pamphlet scorching Adams and encouraging Federalists to vote for other candidates.
Election of 1800:
Thomas Jefferson & Democratic-Republicans easily defeat Adams
Election of 1800 marks the first peaceful transition of power between political parties.
Marbury vs. Madison
John Adams hires midnight judges (One of those Midnight Judges is William Marbury.), but Josh Marshall doesn’t get all the paperwork done, TJ orders the new Secretary of State, James Madison to block the confirmations of any outstanding Midnight Judges. Marbury sues and it goes to the supreme court.
Supreme Court says that Madison has to confirm Marbury but, the Supreme Court determines it is unconstitutional for the Court to make such orders in the future. They then give themselves the power of judicial review. (Supreme Court now has power to determine if laws are constitutional or unconstitutional)
Laissez faire economics/ free market capitalism
TJ lowers taxes nationwide
federal gov’t stays out of business
Private consumers/businesses take control.
Assumes that people and businesses know what’s best for them, and they will seek out that end.
Burr vs. Hamilton showdown/duel
Buildup:
Long personal hatred for Hamilton
Hamilton published a nasty letter about Burr
Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel
The rest is history! Burr shoots Alexander Hamilton
