Week 3 Day 2

After we've cleared the basics of the Federalist program vs. the Democrat-Republican program, we can move forward in time and see how the nation stabilized itself and attempted to move forward atop its shaky new federal government. Understandably, America was swamped in debt after the Revolutionary War. Federalist leader Alexander Hamilton, appointed Secretary of the Treasury by President Washington, introduced his new policy in order to save the economy first and foremost. He planned for excise taxes, assumption of state debt, and a national bank. Not all of these concepts were new, but all caused suspicion and apprehension among Democrat-Republicans and everyday Americans alike. They were afraid of the federal government gaining too much power, and disliked the focus on commercial and industrial production instead of on the agrarian lifestyle. Despite objections, Hamilton's plan went through, and effectively so. The economy stabilized, and America accepted the debt as a manageable blessing.

Fast forward to the end of Washington's presidency, and he warns the nation not to become too entangled in foreign affairs in his farewell address. His preach of neutrality goes a long way with his successor, John Adams. He does his best to preserve the peace with France, but damn John Jay signs his treaty with Britain in 1796. These loose peace terms enrage France, causing an unofficial but costly maritime war between the U.S. and France. Thus, "damn John Jay, damn everyone who won't damn John Jay, damn everyone who won't stay up all night damning John Jay!" (if you missed class today please do yourself a favor and ask Mr. Stewart to hear this portion of the short movie we watched). Democrat-Republicans were angry with Jay for signing the treaty because they favored France and were upset when America entered into the undeclared naval war. During Jay's term, the Alien and Sedition Acts were also passed, which basically legalized Federalist censorship of the Republican press, and made it harder for foreigners to become citizens. Many questioned the constitutionality of these acts (and constitutionality in these didn't exist, if you ask me), including Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, who responded to these repressive measures with the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. There was talk of secession from the nation by a few states, because they found that if they could nullify acts passed by the federal government, they could nullify the entire government. However, the Union held together until the 1800 election.

In this election, the first distinctive political parties were formed, being the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. The election went to Thomas Jefferson instead of the other Republican, Aaron Burr, by a slim margin, after the decision of the House to elect Jefferson over his competitor. The significance of this election was in the shift of regimes from Federalist to Democratic-Republicans. The transition was peaceful, showing there could be smooth changes from party to party during elections. What's not peaceful, however, is damning John Jay.

Also sorry this is so long,
Addie Feldman