Shah Niraj 10/03/07 HIST 127
Chapter 8 The textbook focuses too much on political aspect, not much on social 1) America in 1790 (The Federalist Era) a) Much different than it is today i) Smaller , 1/3 size of today (just the region east of Mississippi, north of florida) ii) 3.9 million people iii) Of those, 750,000 are slaves (1/5 are slaves) iv) are women (so no right) v) 80% of population lives in agrarian or rural environment (only 20% in urban area) vi) In 1790, USA was not the most powerful country in the world vii) No one knows how the USA will turn out... b) This is a unique time period i) George Washington wins the unanimous vote of electoral college ii) No one had set up a government like this at the time period iii) Washington will "seek" the assistance and advice of the Senate....after several hours of listening with the senators, Washington concludes that he will never do this again...so he is WORKING OUT THE PROCEDURES...there is nothing in the constitution about having a cabinet iv) Sets up treasury department, sets up military branch (secretary of war), Attorney general, Vice-President (John Adams) v) The cabinet was not very large and not very small vi) Washington has to set up the executive branch, and while he is doing this, the legislative branch is doing this (James Madison assumes role of speaker of the house). vii) James Madison sets up committee to craft changes to the constitution, in a matter of 2 or so years, Madison comes up with 22 amendments, 17 through the senate, 12 through the house (1) 10 are passed in 1791 and one remains in the books for a long time before it is passed (2) George Watson in 1976 researched the amendments and noticed that 10 passed and became bill of rights, 2 didn't (for every 30,000 people in the united states there should be one member in the house of representatives) (In 1992, the 12th amendment was passed, which becomes the 27th amendment, "Congress cannot pass a pay raise for the current session") c) The First 10 amendments (the Bill of Rights) i) It is a checklist for everything that the British did to us during the American Revolution (1) Freedom of speech, religion, press, etc. (2) CONGRESS shall make no law abridging these rights...but the states can (a) The 14th amendment changes this....
Niraj Shah 10/03/07 HIST 127 (b) But at the time, the Bill of Rights was intended to limit the power of the Federal Government (3) Whatever power not listed in the constitution are vested into the state governments (Article 10) (a) Article 6 states that Federal government has supremacy, but still states have power d) Creating the Judiciary Branch i) Create circuit courts, 13 district courts (1 for each state) and others ii) John Jay is the first chief justice of the Supreme Court iii) The first supreme court has nothing to do because all they do is hear appeals...but there are no lower courts to issue appeals (1) The 5 justices would hear the cases on the circuits (ride the circuits) iv) There is no place to put the Judiciary....the Supreme court building is not built until 1930's...before that they met in the Capitol or met wherever...kind of ironic for something that composes of 1/3 of the government e) i) There are opposing views (see America in 2 different ways) (1) Alexander Hamilton sees America as a strong federal government (a) power with the elite and the rich (ironic because Hamilton is not rich) (b) A strong economic system (he was the secretary of the treasurer) (i) ...Hamilton sees the economy being fueled by industry (manufacturing and trade) (ii) He wants to see America out there on the free trade with the world (c) He bails the Americans out of the massive amount of debt (i) He establishes national or public credit (ii) The United States government will assume the debt of the state governments 1. If you pay off on your debt, you can be offered more money (iii) The United States start selling off land, especially blocks of the state of Ohio 1. We sell it to speculators a. This person will develop the land b. He will market it c. And then he will sell it to someone else (iv) Hamilton comes up with this idea...but there's a problem 1. There are people living on the land (v) He creates a National Bank (Bank of the United States) 1. Article 8, section 18 (Congress can do what is necessary to sustain the United states) 2. People that are strict constitutionalists (anti-federalists)...will claim there is nothing about "bank" written in the constitution 3. Also, worry because the monetary situation of the U.S. will be controlled by a few people
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Niraj Shah 10/03/07 HIST 127 4. Hamilton successfully sells the idea of the bank....which is chartered for 20 years (2) Thomas Jefferson power with the states (a) Wants the states to be in a major position (b) The agrarian idealistic (i) He sees America as a nation of farmers (ii) If we get involved in international trade, that's a problem. He wants America to trade amongst themselves. (c) Continentalist Thomas Jefferson is this (i) Americans have continental view from the beginning (ii) He sees our future and destiny as out west, up north, and down south (iii) He sees expansion into North America (3) These views differ so much that they result in the birth of 2 different ideologies (2 different political parties.) So Washington's presidency is plagued by opposing view i) As soon as the American Revolution is over, people start moving West (1) There is more land and opportunity, because land is wealth and status (2) People began to migrate to Kentucky and Tennessee (3) We quickly see new states being created as Kentucy and Tennessee become the first states to the west of the mountains (4) The Native Americans pose a problem (5) The fact that the Battle of Yorktown is considered the end of the Revolutionary War is incorrect because people are still fighting with the Native Americans (a) The Native Americans lost allies, the French, the British,.... And now there are 150,000 Native Americans versus 3.9 million Americans (b) Native Americans must take action against the white men (c) In 1794, Washington sends out Mad Anthony Wayne (at the battle of timbers in ohio) gets the Treaty of Greenville passed from the Native Americans, which gives land to the American government. (d) The Americans will begin this style of pushing Native Americans back (6) The Spanish are also posing a problem (a) Most farmers are growing necessary food and food for profit (b) You can get land out west, but you cant send corn back (c) You need to use the rivers (d) All the rivers flow into the Mississippi River, which ends through New Orleans (e) Originally controlled by the French, now controlled by the Spain (f) Spain tells them to stop! (i) Why? Because Americans could sell goods at a lower price (ii) Also, Spain doesn't want to be dependant on anyone (iii) Americans should not spread out because Americans can "infect people with their revolutionary will"
Niraj Shah 10/03/07 HIST 127 (iv) The French Revolution is going on, so the Spanish are very cautious about Americans disrupting their economy, their empire, and them spreading their revolutionary ideas g) The French Revolution i) Very similar start as American Revolution (1) Problems with taxes and who is going to pay taxes ii) Americans see the French Revolution as justified (1) We think it's a good thing (2) France will reform, and we will see a new body of governing will emerge iii) BUT the French Revolution has a major problem that we didn't have (1) Robespierre's Reign of Terror (a) The French government kills people who they think are against the government (b) The king is killed (something we probably would never have done to George III) (2) The French revolution is getting out of control (a) The monarchy of France go to Austrians, Prussians, and English (b) The French call upon Americans in 1778 (they just helped Americans out) (want to have their I.O.U. cashed out) iv) Americans see this as an opportunity to reunite our ties with the British (who are against the French at this time) (1) John Jay is sent to England and he comes up with a good treaty (2) The response is mixed (3) Further reinforces the 2 different ideologies v) Jay's treaty provokes hostility from the French (1) The French begin to attack American ships on the high seas by 1790's vi) Washington has to deal with this towards the end of his term (1) In 1790, he decides to step down vii) In 1796, we see a true presidential election (1) John Adams (who was George Washington's Vice-President) is elected (2) The Vice President is Thomas Jefferson (who was running in opposition to Adams) (3) This was the fundamental flaw in the voting process (person with most votes is pres, 2nd most is vice-pres). The 12th amendment will fix this problem. viii) Adams sees big problems (1) The French are attacking Americans (2) We see the XYZ affair (a) The three ministers (XYZ) ask for tribune (money) in order to negotiate (3) 1798-#### (a) We see the Quasi War (b) We are against having a big military, but we need to be ready in case the French attack (c) Who can you trust to control the military? (i) George Washington!
Niraj Shah 10/03/07 HIST 127 (ii) Washington is called out of retirement to take control of the army (iii) He will take it on one condition: 1. Alexander Hamilton has to be second in command (Hamilton was opposite of Adams) 2. Obviously, Thomas is Jefferson against this...but he agrees because Washington is supposed to be the main man and he will keep and eye on Hamilton 3. Washington is in command, but he dies, leaving Hamilton in command (iv) People are afraid of Hamilton 1. He is seen as an usurper 2. Hamilton decides to end the war quickly 3. Napoleon emerges in France (see below) (v) The fear of internal problems in America still linger (vi) Election of 1800, still operating under the old rules 1. John Adams (incumbent pres) vs. Thomas Jefferson (who is the VP) 2. Thomas Jefferson wins...but there is a problem with this election a. The political party are lined up nicely (each politician have someone who they want to be vice president, Jefferson and Burr, Adams and Pinkney) b. Jefferson gets 73, Burr gets 73 i. In case of tie (according to the constitution), the vote goes to the house and each state casts one vote ii. Neither Jefferson nor Burr can achieve a majority vote in the house of representatives c. Alexander Hamilton intercedes on behalf of Jefferson i. He says that Jefferson had different views and he would be the better guy ii. Burr is the vice president because Jefferson wins 3. Important thing: John Adams loses election and gives power away easily and peacefully (he doesn't say "I won't leave" etc.) This is sometimes referred to as the Revolution of 1800....the peaceful transfer of power. (vii) The French are on a war path and are seizing American ships. 1. Americans had improved relations with the British. 2. Europe locked arms against the French revolution, especially after the king of France is killed by the Guillotine. 3. When all of Europe was against France, France went to America because the French had signed a perpetual treaty with America....Washington plays around and avoids them (We signed the treaty with Louis the 16th...but you guys killed Louis.) 4. Alien Sedition acts limit the freedom of speech, sets limitations on how long immigrants have to live in the USA before they become citizens...limit
Niraj Shah 10/03/07 HIST 127 freedom of the press when one newspaper reporter writes about John Adams getting hit in the butt with a wad of cannon shot. Anti-federalists jump to the case and say "Ah-Ha! We knew that the US government would do this!" 5. If you nullify a law and the US government wont let you, then we will see the seceding from the union. (4) Jefferson (a) Land policies are being reformed (originally land was sold in 640 acre blocks) (b) Opposes national bank (c) Biggest quandary in 1803 (d) 15 million dollars for all of Louisiana...deal agreed by Livingston, sent to Jefferson (i) Problem: he doesn't have 15 million dollars (ii) Its not stated in the constitution that you can buy land (iii) Problems with native Americans (iv) Jefferson is doing a lot of unauthorized activity, similar to previous presidents, he goes and asks for money to settle with Napoleon (who goes and attacks Austria). (v) We are continuing our expansion into North America, and this scares the British in North America. (5) Judiciary (a) Not affected by the election results (b) When Jefferson comes to power in 1800, there is a republican controlled legislature and executive, but the Judiciary is dominated by Federalists (these people were nominated by Washington and Adams) (c) Midnight appointments Adams fills all the appointments with federalists (d) John Marshall is chief justice from 1801-1835 (i) Has a tough challenge because he will be the guy that will establishes the position of chief justice (e) Marbury vs. Madison (i) Case that establishes the concept of judicial review (on a federal level) (ii) Judicial review can establish whether a law is constitutional or not (iii) Marbury sues Madison because Madison did not deliver those judgeships that Adams had left for Thomas Jefferson (iv) Marshall rules in favor of Marbury stating that Marbury should receive the judgeship, BUT the court has no power to issue the write of mandamus to force the delivery of the judgeships (he finds the power of the supreme court unconstitutional)....he see-saws on this issues (v) Establishes the independence of the judiciary (it wont be affected by parties) (vi) 1857-Sanford vs. Scott (Dred Scott) will be affected by parties (vii) We get wrapped up in the conflict in 1800's with the Napoleonic Wars 1. Buying the Louisiana purchase from France gets us involved
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Niraj Shah 10/03/07 HIST 127 a. We purchased 800,000 million square miles of land from Napoleon for 15 million dollars (we give money to someone who all of the Europeans hate) We stabbed the French in the back with the Treaty of Perpetual Freedom We establish a treaty with England (Jay's treaty) and later Spain. 1805 naval battle fought (Battle of Trafalgar between British and France (Spain has now sided with France)) a. The British sweep the Spanish and France from the sea b. British are now dominant on the high seas i. The British seize sailors from American ships 1807 a warship (Chesapeake) is setting out and a boat comes up (from the Leopard), asking them to deliver the package and then the guy says "We want those British soldiers" . The captain of the Chesapeake says we will not give them up b/c they are American soldiers. The captain of the Leopard goes back and then fires into the Chesapeake until they surrender. Jefferson is now asked to declare a war against Great Britain...passes the Embargo Act Embargo Act stops all international trade into and out of America, "we will boycott European goods and cut ourselves off from Foreign commerce". a. Jefferson uses the military to shut down all of the ports b. Goes after American ships trying to sneak out c. By 1807, our commerce had been very dependant on European trade d. Can't tax imports and exports now e. The Embargo Act is a disaster f. Jefferson's record is mixed (Louisiana Purchase, destroying Barbary pirates is good) (Embargo act is not) James Madison a. Was Jefferson's sec. of state b. In 1808 is elected President c. Republicans and Federalists are tore up between what to do, they don't want to trade with the British and the French d. Non-Intercourse Act i. We won't trade with Britain or France, but we will trade with the Spanish and the Dutch ii. Problem: they were our biggest trading partners iii. A North Carolinian proposes Macon's Bill: Which ever nation agrees to allow trade and also will protect our ships; we will trade with them. The French agree with this...but one problem: The French didn't have a navy to protect our ships. iv. The British don't like this and we see more hostility between the two nations
Niraj Shah 10/03/07 HIST 127 v. There is an increase in the number of attacks on the frontier from Native Americans vi. In 1811, the first battle of War of 1812 against Tecumseh who wanted to halt the American expansion out west, and the British were provided weapons to the Indians vii. In 1811, American and British warship meet and American ship fires upon it viii. June 1812, Congress asked for declaration of war and congress agrees ix. To declare a war, all you need is a majority vote. x. New England is against this (close to Canada, they are still trading with the British) xi. Southern States and the West are in support of the war. xii. The reason for the war is a clear land grapple. xiii. Southern part wants Florida, and the western part wants Canada xiv. America's population is young at the time and young people are ready for war...America rushes off to war. xv. What makes us think we will do better, considering we did bad the first time? Well, Great Britain is fighting against Napoleon. Napoleon is keeping the British army preoccupied...America sees this as an opportunity to acquire Florida and Canada. e. War of 1812 i. At first, the war is mixed ii. We planned to attack Canada using the three-prong attack iii. One of the problems is that prior to the war, we did nothing to prepare for the war. iv. We have a very small military. v. American finances were pitiful. vi. The bank was up for renewal in 1811 and the bank of the United States is done away with because the republicans didn't like the bank. vii. 1813 some of Madison's plans work, others don't viii. 1814 BAD! Napoleon surrenders and now the British Army has all the resources to attack America fully. ix. Thomas McDunnogh Battle of Plaxburg wins a decisive victor on the lake x. James Monroe is unsung hero (sec. of state and sec. of war) xi. The hero of the occupation of Washington, D.C. is the wife of Madison (Dolly Madison). xii. She ensures that all of the important documents are mailed out.
Niraj Shah 10/03/07 HIST 127 xiii. Fort McHenry in Baltimore is the setting for the birth of The Star Spangled Banner xiv. Jackson wins the battle of New Orleans in 1815...one problem, the war was already over xv. The Republicans will adopt federalist ideas and vice versa: Flip Flop of the parties xvi. War of 1812, shifts our perspectives not only internationally but also domestically
TERMS COME FROM THE OUTLINES ESSAY SHOULD UTILIZE LECTURE NOTES, BOOK, AND GORDON WOOD'S BOOK DOESN'T have to have intro, conclusion, etc....can be answered in 3 parts HIT THE MAJOR POINTS, BE CLEAR, BE CONCISE
Early part in second question set = from Washington to War of 1812 (roughly to ~ 1815) 1763-1787 (birth of the constitution) = Revolutionary war MAKE A DECISION---Don't be wishy-washy