Unit IV Terms Flashcards
Washington as President
Elected in 1789
Was cautious during the first few months of his presidency. Created the cabinet, used the heads of executive departments as chief advisors. Used his right to vetoship sparingly, only if he believed it was unconstitutional. Came to embody national unity – visited all of the states.
Whiskey Rebellion
1791, a tax was imposed on whiskey, which prompted protests in the west, where fights, and threats of Native Americans, were common. Believed some government that failed to protect them was now disproportionately taxing them.
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia drafted petitions, imitated crowd actions of the 1760s, occasionally harassed tax collectors for 2 years.
July 1784, violence erupted between farmers and excisemen. 7 thousand rebels convened, and Washington sent troops to disperse the militia. Demonstrated that national government would not tolerate violent protests and resistance to its laws.
Citizen Genet
1794, conflict had arisen between France and Britain. America still bound to France. April 1793, Genet arrived in Charleston, Washington was unsure whether to receive him, which would indicate support for France, or to declare neutrality.
Genet’s presence widened domestic division. Republicans empathised with France, Federalists didn’t.
Democratic societies formed - publicly protested government’s fiscal and foreign policy.
Jay’s Treaty
Once war broke out between France and Great Britain in 1893, US ships maintained a brisk trade between the two. GB began intercepting ships and impressing American sailors. Southern planters wanted reimbursement from the British for slaves that had fled to the British during the American Revolution. US also accused British of aiding the Native Americans as conflicts between the two increased.
Ratified in 1795, one commission dealt with prewar debts Americans owed to British creditors. The other dealt with claims for captured American merchant ships. However, Britain refused to provide compensation for slave owner’s losses. Established executive privilege, that the president may withhold information from Congress if deemed necessary.
Washington’s Farewell Address
Mostly written by Hamilton. Highlighted the maintenance of commercial ties to other nations and to enter no permanent alliance. Stressed US exceptionalism, advocated unity. Stated that both sides perceived their opponents as misguided, unpatriotic, troublemakers, and that such division was not good for the nation.
Hamilton’s Report on Manufacturers
December 1791, urged that the US could not be independent if it relied on European manufactured goods, urged the promotion of immigration of technicians and labourers and limited use of protective tariffs.
Hamilton’s Report on Public Credit
January 1790, proposed that Congress assumed outstanding debts, combine them with national obligations and issue new securities covering interest. Proposed the assumption of state debt; after a few compromises, became law in August 1790.
The National Bank
Hamilton proposed the National Bank, inspired by the Bank of England. Capitalised at $10 million. $2 million came from pubic funds, the rest came from private investors. Would act as a collecting and disbursing agent for the treasury – would establish national currency.
Election of 1796
Federalists: put forward John Adams, Washington’s VP, running-mate was Thomas Pinckney.
Republicans: chose Thomas Jefferson as candidate, Aaron Burr as running-mate.
Adams won the presidency, Jefferson won the VP. New administration was therefore politically divided.
XYZ Affair
3 commissioners sent to France to negotiated a settlement (US ships were being attacked by France and Britain alike, as US had declared neutrality). They were told to pay a $250,000 bribe before negotiations could begin. Republicans, believing Adams to have sabotaged negotiations, requested they be turned over. When news broke of the rude way X,Y,Z were treated, Federalist anti-France sentiment rose.
Quazi-war with France
Undeclared war with France was underway in the aftermath of the XYZ affair. America initially lost a lot of ships, but eventually established itself as superior to France’s navy. Republicans struggled to control anti-France sentiment. Republicans: traitors because of their sympathy, or within their rights to oppose administrative actions?
Alien and Sedition Acts
1798, Congress adopted a set of laws intended to prevent growth of the Republican party (it failed).
- Navigation Act: extended amount of time required for living in the US before becoming president (anti-immigrant, who were often Republicans).
- Alien Acts: detention of enemy alines in time of war, can deport anyone deemed a threat to national security.
- Sedition Act: writing scandalous statements against federal government is punishable by law. Outlawed conspiracies to prevent the enforcement of laws.
The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
1798, Jefferson and Madison’s sets of resolutions stating that because the Constitution was created in a pact by the states, those speaking through the state had a right to judge the constitutionality of actions taken by the government. Announced Alien and Sedition Acts as unconstitutional, null and void.
Long term impact: role of rate, how much could they challenge the federal government?
Election of 1800
Republican “takeover”. Republicans nominated Jefferson and Burr, Federalists named John Adams and Pinckney. Anger towards Sedition Acts rallied support for the Republicans. Burr and Jefferson tied, Federalists supported Burr in the house, Republicans wanted Jefferson. Finally, Federalist broke tie by supporting Jefferson (Hamilton).
Lousiana Purchase
1803, American bought land from France. It was huge opportunity for both more agrarian land and for federal control – appealed to both Republicans and Federalists. (Therefore, can be seen as either a Rep. or Fed. victory).
Lewis and Clarke Expedition
Military-style mission to chart the region in the trans-Mississippi West’s. Commercial possibilities and cataloguing geography, peoples, flaura and fauna. Began in 1804, lasted for more than 2 years. Contributed to nationalist vision of expansion.
The Barbary Wars
Conflict arose with a Barbary state, when ships were captured and war was declared because Trigoli wanted payment for safe passage. Reflection of US idea of freedom of the seas.
