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Questions and Answers

What was one of Hamilton's main economic goals during his presidency?

To limit the powers of the federal government

To establish American sovereignty through military strength

To reduce foreign influence in domestic politics

To make America strong in global trade (correct)

Which of the following was NOT part of Hamilton's program?

Paying off state debts

Establishing credit through bonds

Creating a national bank

Implementing a tax on unemployment benefits (correct)

What compromise was reached during the Jefferson-Hamilton dinner that benefited Congress?

Increasing tariffs on foreign goods

Creating a new national infrastructure plan

Fundraising for military expansion

Establishing a capital along the Potomac River (correct)

Which group did Hamilton's whiskey tax primarily affect?

Pennsylvania corn farmers Signup and view all the answers

Who served as the first Secretary of Treasury under Washington's presidency?

Alexander Hamilton Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason why farmers in rural Pennsylvania refused to pay the whiskey tax?

They disagreed with the taxation of their main source of income. Signup and view all the answers

Which president was in office during the passage of the Sedition Act?

John Adams Signup and view all the answers

How did John Adams and Thomas Jefferson's relationship evolve during Adams' presidency?

Their previous cooperation turned into mutual disdain. Signup and view all the answers

What legal power did the states claim when they passed resolutions saying the government was unconstitutional?

The power to declare federal laws void. Signup and view all the answers

What marked the significance of the Election of 1796?

It introduced a two-party system with clear ideological divisions. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the creation of the 12th amendment?

To establish a separate voting process for president and vice president Signup and view all the answers

What did Jefferson aim to achieve by cutting taxes?

Reduce the size and influence of the government Signup and view all the answers

The outcome of Marbury vs. Madison established which important judicial principle?

Judicial review Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of Gabriel's Rebellion?

Execution of multiple slaves involved in the plot Signup and view all the answers

Which geographical features did Lewis and Clark notably explore?

The Rocky Mountains and Grand Canyon Signup and view all the answers

What was the main effect of the Embargo Jefferson implemented?

Harmed American merchants and port cities Signup and view all the answers

What sparked the Barbary Wars?

Piracy and demands for tribute from American ships Signup and view all the answers

Which legislative act followed Jefferson's Embargo and what did it allow?

The Non-Intercourse Acts; allowed trade with nations except France and England Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Founding Fathers and Early American Politics

George Washington was elected unanimously by the Electoral College for two terms as President.
John Adams became Vice President.
The first Cabinet was formed with Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State and Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury.
John Jay was appointed as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
While Washington was reluctant to play a strong role as President, Alexander Hamilton had enormous influence during his presidency.

Hamilton’s Financial Program

Hamilton's ambitious economic program aimed to establish a strong national economy and secure America’s role in global trade.
His proposed five laws included:
- Establishing credit by selling bonds to raise capital and demonstrate the nation's financial strength.
- Paying off all state debts and consolidating them into a single national debt.
- Creating the Bank of the United States to manage national finance, including printing and loaning money to the government.
- Implementing taxes on all imports to generate revenue.
- Imposing a tax on whiskey, specifically targeting American-made whiskey for taxation.
The whiskey tax faced significant opposition from farmers in Pennsylvania, as it disproportionately affected them.

The Emergence of Early Political Factions

The emergence of differing political views led to the creation of the first political parties:
- Federalists: Advocated for a strong central government, economic development, and close ties with Great Britain. Led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams.
- Republicans: Emphasized states' rights, agrarianism, and limited government power. Led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
The Jefferson-Hamilton Bargain involved a compromise where Hamilton secured support for his financial plans in exchange for moving the nation's capital to a site between Maryland and Virginia (Washington, D.C.).

The Whiskey Rebellion

The whiskey tax sparked widespread resistance from farmers in Western Pennsylvania, resulting in the Whiskey Rebellion.
George Washington personally led a militia of 13,000 troops to quell the rebellion, forcing farmers to comply with the tax law.

The Adams Presidency and the First Party System

The first truly contested presidential election occurred in 1796, with John Adams (Federalist) defeating Thomas Jefferson (Republican).
John Adams struggled to maintain unity within his own party and faced significant opposition from the Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson.
While Vice President, Republicans sought to work with Adams to establish a strong national identity. However, Adams, a staunch Federalist, rejected their attempts at cooperation, leading to political division.

The Alien and Sedition Acts

The Alien and Sedition Acts, passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress during Adams' presidency, were controversial measures aimed at suppressing dissent.
The Sedition Act criminalized publishing “false, scandalous, and malicious” criticism of the government, effectively silencing Republican opposition.
The acts were seen as violations of the First Amendment and were met with significant opposition from states' rights advocates, including the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions.

The "Revolution of 1800" and the 12th Amendment

The 1800 presidential election resulted in a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, both of whom were Republicans.
The election was ultimately decided by the House of Representatives, where Alexander Hamilton’s support for Jefferson secured his victory. The political clash resulted in a fatal duel between Hamilton and Burr.
As a result of the election controversy, the 12th Amendment to the Constitution was adopted, establishing separate electoral votes for president and vice president.

Gabriel’s Rebellion

In 1800, a planned slave uprising led by Gabriel Prosser in Virginia was foiled before it could be executed.
Prosser and other slaves involved in the conspiracy were executed, and Virginia passed a law requiring freed slaves to leave the state or face re-enslavement.

Jeffersonian Democracy and the Louisiana Purchase

Thomas Jefferson, known for advocating limited government, emphasized reducing government expenditures and relying primarily on tariffs for revenue.
The Louisiana Purchase, a pivotal moment in American expansion, was the acquisition of a vast territory from France in 1803.
Napoleon, facing financial strain due to war, agreed to sell Louisiana to the United States for $15 million.
The purchase nearly doubled the size of the United States and provided access to valuable resources and strategic land.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Louisiana Purchase prompted the Lewis and Clark Expedition, spearheaded by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
The expedition aimed to explore and chart the newly acquired territory, documenting its resources, geological features, and native cultures.
The expedition provided valuable knowledge about the West, including its vast geographic features, natural resources, and native inhabitants.

The Barbary Wars

The first war fought by the United States as a nation involved conflict with the Barbary pirates in North Africa.
The Barbary states sought to increase the "tribute" paid by the United States to avoid attacks on American merchant ships.
The wars proved to be a test of America's young naval power and established the nation's presence on the global stage.

The Embargo Act and the Economic Crisis

During the Napoleonic Wars, the United States was caught in the middle of conflicts between Great Britain and France.
Both countries engaged in the Impressment of American sailors, forcibly conscripting them into their navies.
As a response to these conflicts, Jefferson implemented the Embargo Act, which barred American ships from trading with foreign ports.
However, the embargo had disastrous consequences for the American economy, as dependence on foreign trade significantly hampered domestic commerce.
The Embargo Act was eventually replaced by the Non-Intercourse Acts, which only allowed trade with nations other than Great Britain and France, but the economic difficulties persisted.

The War Hawks and the Path to War

By the time of James Madison’s presidency, tensions with Great Britain continued to escalate.
A faction within the Republican party, known as the War Hawks, saw war with Great Britain as a necessary step to protect American maritime rights and secure its independence.
Leaders like Henry Clay and John Calhoun advocated for a declaration of war, setting the stage for the War of 1812.