The Crisis of Party Politics

“We are all republicans”: The Crisis of Party Politics The Novelty of Political “Factions” and the Misunderstanding Surrounding them I. Thumbnail Sketch of American Political Party History • Constitutional Ratification “factions” were not the first political party system • 1st: Federalists vs. Democratic Republicans (1794) • Federalists disintegrate by 1815; “National” Republicans = sole political party • 2nd: Democrats (1828) vs. Whigs (1836) • Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) fractures Democrats and destroys the Whigs • 3rd: Democrats (1828) vs. Republicans (1856) II. Washington: “A Man Above Party” • Unanimous Election • His Inauguration • Salary, Title and Public Appearances • Washington’s Cabinet • His Popularity as a Problem • Judiciary Act of 1789 • First Tariff (1789) III. Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists • Hamilton’s Background • Admirer of the British • Envisions Commercial Republic • Wants wealthy people tied to the new nation • Loose interpretation of Constitution IV. Thomas Jefferson and the Republicans • Jefferson’s Background • Admirer of the French • Envisions Agrarian Republic • More optimistic about common man • Opposed to large national government • Strict Interpretation of the Constitution V. Domestic Debate: Hamilton’s Reports • Report on Public Credit (January, 1790) --Benjamin Banneker • Report on Banking (January, 1791) -- “Necessary and Proper” Clause --Mint Act of 1792 • Report on Manufactures (December 1791) VI. Washington’s Second Term: The “Political Pot” Comes to Boil A. War in Europe • The Evolution of the First Political Party System • The French Revolution and War with the British --1778 Alliance with France: valid or not? A. War in Europe (cont) • The visit of Edmond Genet (April, 1793) • U.S. adopts neutral foreign policy • British continue occupation of northwest forts and close French ports in the West Indies to American ships B. Jay’s Treaty • Jay’s Mission • Results of the Negotiations • Popular Outrage over the Treaty • Battle of Fallen Timbers (August, 1794) • Treaty of Greenville (1795) • Pinckney’s Treaty (1796) C. Democratic-Republicans Gain Ground • The role of partisan newspapers in the political turmoil --Federalist Gazette of the United States --Republican National Gazette • Democratic-Republican Clubs • The Whiskey Rebellion (1794) --25% excise tax on whiskey D. Washington’s Farewell Address (September 1796) • Timing of the Address and the Political Controversy surrounding it • Warned against political factions • Warned against entangling foreign alliances • Washington ends second term with popularity and prestige diminished—no longer seen as a man above politics VII. The Presidency of John Adams • The Election of 1796 • Adams’ political background • Jefferson as Adams’ Vice-president • Keeps Washington’s Cabinet that remains more loyal to Hamilton A. The “Quasi-War” and the XYZ Affair • U.S. relations with France deteriorated after Jay’s Treaty • The “Quasi-War” (1797-1800) • The Logan Act (1799) • The XYZ Affair (1798) A. The “Quasi-War” and the XYZ Affair (cont) • Federalists press for a larger army • Adams strengthens U.S. Navy -- U.S.S. Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) • Adams resists a declaration of War against France B. Alien and Sedition Acts • First crisis in American history endangering American civil liberties • The Alien Acts • The Sedition Act • Violence in Congress and the possibility of insurrection • The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions C. Peace with France • Adams again tries diplomacy in 1799 to make peace with the French • Adams fires disloyal members of his cabinet and dismantles army • Treaty of 1778 voided and freer trade with the French guaranteed • Adams calls the French mission the “most successful act” of his life VIII. Election of 1800: “A Peaceful Revolution” • Federalists divided and Hamilton tries to rig the election again • Terrible “mudslinging” in this election • Election ends up in a tie between Jefferson and Aaron Burr VIII. Election of 1800 (cont) • Adams’ appointment of the “midnight judges” --Chief Justice John Marshall • Adams refuses to attend Jefferson’s inaugural • Significance of a peaceful transfer of power