American Founding Fathers' Visions

Birth of American Politics

• America's politics has been adversarial since its beginnings, despite the founders' wishes for unity.
• Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had different visions for America's future.

Hamilton's Vision

• Wanted the country to be mercantile, involved in world trade.
• Wanted the US to be a manufacturing powerhouse.
• Needed a strong government to build infrastructure and protect patents.
• Envisioned an America governed primarily by the elite.

Jefferson's Vision

• Wanted an agrarian America with small-scale subsistence farmers.
• No international trade or manufacturing.
• Preferred a small, local government.
• Identified with the anti-federalists, distrusting concentrated power and privilege.
• Believed in democracy and liberty.

Early American Politics

• The first presidential election was uncontested, with George Washington winning.
• Washington set important precedents, including serving only two terms and wearing civilian clothing.
• Alexander Hamilton was the policy brain behind Washington's presidency.

Hamilton's 5-Point Plan

• Establish the nation's creditworthiness.
• Create a national debt.
• Create a Bank of the United States.
• Impose a whiskey tax.
• Encourage domestic industrial manufacturing with tariffs.

Whiskey Rebellion and the Rise of Political Parties

• The Whiskey Tax sparked protest and the Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania.
• George Washington led troops to put down the rebellion.
• The incident marked the rise of political parties, with Federalists (Hamiltonians) and Republicans (Jeffersonians) taking shape.

Foreign Affairs and the Jay Treaty

• The US had a perpetual alliance with France, but Britain was at war with France.
• Washington dispatched John Jay to negotiate the Jay Treaty, which improved trade relations with Britain but said nothing about impressment or American shipping rights.

The End of Washington's Presidency and the Rise of Adams

• Washington's presidency ended with a call for unity and a warning against the "baneful effects of the spirit of party."
• John Adams took over as the second president, but the electoral system flaws led to Thomas Jefferson becoming vice president.

The Quasi-War with France and the Alien and Sedition Acts

• The US and France engaged in a "quasi-war" due to trade disruptions and the XYZ Affair.
• The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed, restricting immigration and criminalizing criticism of the government.
• The acts were unpopular and eventually lapsed under Jefferson's presidency.

Birth of American Politics

• American politics has been adversarial since its beginnings, despite the founders' wishes for unity.

Hamilton's Vision

• Wanted the country to be mercantile, involved in world trade.
• Envisioned the US as a manufacturing powerhouse.
• Needed a strong government to build infrastructure and protect patents.
• Wanted an America governed primarily by the elite.

Jefferson's Vision

• Wanted an agrarian America with small-scale subsistence farmers.
• Preferred no international trade or manufacturing.
• Wanted a small, local government.
• Identified with the anti-federalists, distrusting concentrated power and privilege.
• Believed in democracy and liberty.

Early American Politics

• The first presidential election was uncontested, with George Washington winning.
• Washington set important precedents, including serving only two terms and wearing civilian clothing.
• Alexander Hamilton was the policy brain behind Washington's presidency.

Hamilton's 5-Point Plan

• Establish the nation's creditworthiness.
• Create a national debt.
• Create a Bank of the United States.
• Impose a whiskey tax.
• Encourage domestic industrial manufacturing with tariffs.

Whiskey Rebellion and the Rise of Political Parties

• The Whiskey Tax sparked protest and the Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania.
• George Washington led troops to put down the rebellion.
• The incident marked the rise of political parties, with Federalists (Hamiltonians) and Republicans (Jeffersonians) taking shape.

Foreign Affairs and the Jay Treaty

• The US had a perpetual alliance with France, but Britain was at war with France.
• Washington dispatched John Jay to negotiate the Jay Treaty, which improved trade relations with Britain but said nothing about impressment or American shipping rights.

The End of Washington's Presidency and the Rise of Adams

• Washington's presidency ended with a call for unity and a warning against the "baneful effects of the spirit of party."
• John Adams took over as the second president, but the electoral system flaws led to Thomas Jefferson becoming vice president.

The Quasi-War with France and the Alien and Sedition Acts

• The US and France engaged in a "quasi-war" due to trade disruptions and the XYZ Affair.
• The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed, restricting immigration and criminalizing criticism of the government.
• The acts were unpopular and eventually lapsed under Jefferson's presidency.