Page 211 - American Stories, A History of the United States

On MyHistory Lab Study and Review on MyHistoryLab

independence. Moreover, because they equated political dissent with
chapter Review disloyalty, they feared that partisan politics might lead to a conspir-
acy to overthrow the legitimately elected government.

Principle and Pragmatism: Establishing a The Adams Presidency: Politics of Mistrust
New Government
7.5 Why were some Federalists willing to sacrifice political
7.1 Why was George Washington unable to overcome freedoms for party advantage? p. 171
division within the new government? p. 159 Many Republicans believed that the support of Jeffersonian
Despite his huge popularity among all segments of the American Republicans for France had compromised American sovereignty.
population, President Washington was unable to bridge the differ- Hamilton and the High Federalists believed that a standing army was
ences between the two most brilliant and strong-willed members of necessary to defend against invasion and to silence domestic dissent
his cabinet: Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. These two so that it could not split the republic apart. They rationalized that the
men fought throughout Washington’s presidency over their different sacrifice of political liberties entailed in the Alien and Sedition Acts
visions for the future of the republic. Hamilton imagined an urban were necessary to protect the Republic from corrupting foreign (par-
commercial nation with a strong central government; Jefferson ticularly French) influences. This was especially important since they
championed a simple agrarian republic. anticipated the onset of a war with France. They used the rationale of
national security to justify their pursuit of party power.
Hamilton’s Plan for Prosperity and Security

7.2 Why did many Americans oppose Alexander Hamilton’s Timeline
blueprint for national prosperity? p. 162
Many citizens—especially farmers and former soldiers—resented
that Hamilton’s plan to fund state loan certificates at full value would 1789
reward the immoral, un-republican and un-American actions of new government— 1789
speculators by allowing them to make money without physical labor. George Washington 1790
Many also complained that this plan rewarded the financial irrespon- inaugurated (April) hamilton’s Plan—
sibility of states like Massachusetts and South Carolina. Supporters congress approves
of Jefferson rejected Hamilton’s vision of the United States as a com- 1790 Hamilton’s plan for fund-
mercial and manufacturing nation, feared that his plan for a Bank 1793 ing and assumption of
of the United States would “perpetuate a large monied interest,” foreign Affairs— states’ debts (July)
and protested that his doctrine of implied powers would lead to the France’s revolution-
steady growth of governmental power. ary government 1793
announces a “war of
charges of Treason: The battle over all people against all 1794
Political Culture—
Foreign Affairs kings” (February) 1794 U.S. Army puts down
Whiskey Rebellion
7.3 How did foreign affairs affect domestic politics during 1795 (July–November)
the 1790s? p. 164
foreign Affairs—Jay’s 1795
The French Revolution split American opinion. Republicans cheered it; Treaty divides the
Federalists condemned it. The extremely unpopular Jay’s Treaty (1794) nation (June) 1796
with Britain provoked heated political debate between its Federalist Political Culture—
supporters and Republican opponents. Disagreements over how to deal 1796 Washington’s Farewell
with French aggression and insults during the Quasi-War and the XYZ 1797 Address (September)
Affair drove a wedge between the peace-seeking President John Adams Adam’s Presidency—
and the High Federalists who called for war and military expansion. XYZ Affair poisons U.S. 1797
This divide helped Jefferson win the election of 1800. relations with France
(October) 1798–1800
Popular Political culture 1798–1800 Adam’s Presidency—
1798 Quasi-War with France
Adam’s Presidency—
7.4 Why was it hard for Americans to accept political dissent
as a part of political activity? p. 170 Virginia and Kentucky
Resolutions protest 1798
In the 1790s, many Americans equated political dissent with dis- the Alien and Sedition 1801
loyalty. During the Whiskey Rebellion (1794), both Federalists and Acts (November and Adam’s Presidency—
Republicans feared the other party planned to use violence to crush December) 1801 House of
political opposition. In the 1790s, many Americans lamented the Representatives elects
loss of unity that had tied them together during the struggle for Thomas Jefferson
president (February)
178