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First 4 Presidents (John Adams (XYZ Affair (John Adams sends three…
First 4 Presidents
John Adams
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XYZ Affair
John Adams sends three ministers to France in order to negotiate a commercial agreement in doer to protect US shipping
French officials asked for a 250,000 dollar bribe before negotiations, and pay off 10 million in debt
John Adams refuses to pay the bribe, and the three officials, known as X,Y, and Z, gain infamy in the US
Alien/Sedition Acts
In response to the demands of the French, John Adams passes the Alien and Sedition Acts, which made it harder for new immigrants to gain citizenship, and granted power to deport foreigners
Part of the controversy of the A&S Acts was that any opposition to the government, through newspaper or pamphlet, was illegal and could be jailed
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Midnight Appointments
During the lame duck period in between presidency's, John Adams places new judges favorable to the Federalist Party
This Act infuriates Jefferson, who later repeals the act and refuses to acknowledge any of the judges as legit
John Marshall keeps his spot, and not only helps the Federalist Party keep some power, but also judges many landmark cases
John Marshall
Virgina Federalist that disliked the states rights Republicans, served 34 years in the Supreme Court
Laided down the framework for the powerful Supreme Court, with the case of Marbury v. Madison, which granted the Supreme Court the power to reject a case due to unconstitutionality
Thomas Jefferson
Louisiana Purchase
Napoleon sells land from the Mississippi to the Rockys, in order to fund his war in Europe, and due to the increasing deaths due to malaria, yellow fever, etc
Jefferson feels conflicted, as the constitution does not explicitly state that the government can buy land
Jefferson is remembered for doubling the size of the US, but critics pointed out his hypocrisy for strict constitutional interpretation
Barbary Pirates
After Jefferson refused to pay tribute, pirates from North Africa, Barbary, were attacking US shipping and generally becoming a nuisance to the new US
US starts a war with Barbary, over captured merchant ships, the war ends inconclusive, though the US destroys several ships and the US gets to show its military power
Embargo Act
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Embargo Act was done to force Britain and France to change their policies towards neutral ships by depriving them of American trade
Backfired, and caused the US to go into a economic slump, with merchants and traders deeply opposing the Embargo
Political Philosophy
Believed in a strict Constitution interpretation, meaning if it was not stated in the Constitution, then it can not be done
Wanted less central government, and more state government control. Reduced taxes, and government interference in state affaris
George Washington
Hamilton's Economic Plan
The new government was facing a huge economic deficit, as no foreign nation would lend to them, the printed money was useless, and states had racked up millions in debt.
Hamilton proposed that the government assume all the state debt, to not only pay back the money, but also get a good credit among the nations abroad
States like Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Virginia, who had payed their debt off saw this as the government forcing them to help pay debt that wasn't theirs.
After fierce debate, Hamilton compromised that in exchange for the passing of his economic plan, the capital would be moved into the south
Hamilton also asked for a Bank Of America, a national bank that would regulate taxes, make loans, etc. Passes in the Congress, and Washington signs it in.
Whiskey Rebellion
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Many small distillers revolted, leading to riots and protests against the law
The Whiskey Tax benefited large distillers, as they payed a flat fee, while small groups paid by the barrel.
Washington sends a militia to shut down the revolt, and showed the strength of the new government
Seen as a great victory for the Federalist Party, who saw this as a perfect example of the strength a strong government gave
Leads to increased tensions between the Federalists and the Republicans, as the two disagreed deeply on the strength of the federal government
Farewell Address
After deciding not to run for a 3rd term, Washington prepares a farewell address to the nation, with many requests and warnings
Washington warns against permanent foreign alliance, as a war abroad is not something the US can get tangled into right now
Washington also warns against any dividing political parties. which will lead to a divided government front, and tension that the new government can ill afford
With Washington not running for a 3rd term, he sets a new example for those after him. Both of the two things he worries most about happen, with the abrupt French Revolution, and the splitting into the Federalist and Republican Party
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James Madison
War of 1812
War with Great Britain caused by British impressment of American sailors, and British seizure of American ships
War with Britain gave the US an excuse to seize Britain's Northwest ports, and annex Florida from Britain's ally Spain
War involved several sea and frontier battles and was a minor war in the face of the Revolutionary War
War was resolved by the Treaty of Ghent. After the peace treaty was signed, Andrew Jackson made his debut in the Battle of New Orleans
War strengthened US nationalism, and encouraged economic and industrial growth
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