Early US Government: Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson

• Study notes on early US government and events

Washington's Cabinet

• Alexander Hamilton served as Secretary of the Treasury.
• Thomas Jefferson was the Secretary of State.

Hamilton vs. Jefferson on Government

• Hamilton advocated for a strong federal government led by knowledgeable individuals.
• Hamilton believed self-interest would drive policy and favored an industrial economy with a national bank.
• Jefferson supported a government where individual states held power.
• Jefferson feared tyranny from a powerful federal government, preferring an agricultural economy without government intervention.

Whiskey Rebellion

• A tax on whiskey to pay Revolutionary War debts sparked the Whiskey Rebellion.
• Farmers protested the tax, which negatively impacted their profits.
• "Whiskey boys" attacked tax collectors.
• President Washington suppressed the rebellion by sending 13,000 soldiers to arrest 150 rebels.

French Revolution

• The French Revolution, inspired by the American Revolution, aimed for liberty and equality.
• Democratic-Republicans wanted the US to support France.
• Federalists preferred to stay out of the conflict due to its violence.
• Washington chose neutrality due to US debt and a weak military.

Washington's Farewell Address

• Warned against foreign entanglements, political parties, and promoted national unity.
• Despite this, the election of 1796 was led by Federalist John Adams and Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson, increasing political tensions.

Louisiana Purchase

• The US sought access to the Mississippi River and New Orleans for trade.
• Spain revoked the US's tax-free port access guaranteed by the Pinckney Treaty in 1802.
• Jefferson sent ministers to purchase New Orleans for $10 million.
• Napoleon offered the entire Louisiana Territory for $15 million.

John Adams' Actions

• The Neutralization Act increased the citizenship application requirement from 5 to 14 years.
• The Alien Act allowed the president to deport dangerous immigrants and detain enemy citizens during wartime.
• The Sedition Act criminalized criticism of the president or Congress by newspaper editors.

XYZ Affair

• The XYZ Affair was a conflict with France where French ministers demanded bribes before negotiations.
• America refused the demand, leading to calls for war.
• Adams avoided war with France.

War of 1812

• The war was fought between the US and Britain.
• Causes included the impressment of US sailors, British interference with US trade, and support for Native American resistance.
• Major events: the Burning of Washington D.C., US invasions of Canada, and the Defense of Fort McHenry.
• Outcomes included increased American nationalism and weakened Native American resistance.

Marbury v. Madison

• William Marbury was denied a job promised by John Adams by the new President Thomas Jefferson.
• Chief Justice John Marshall established judicial review in this case.
• The Supreme Court determined that the law Marbury used was unconstitutional, establishing the power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Monroe Doctrine

• The Monroe Doctrine was created to prevent European powers from colonizing Latin American countries.
• It declared the Americas closed to Europe.
• The US threatened war to protect Latin America.
• Britain's Royal Navy supported the Monroe Doctrine to protect British trade interests.