1789 - U.S. population 2x every 25 years!
1791 - Vermont becomes the 15th state!
President - George Washington
Vice-president - John Adams
1st cabinet: (unwritten constitution)
Sec. of State - Thomas Jefferson
Sec. of the Treasury - Alexander Hamilton
Sec. of War - Henry Knox
Chart: page 151
Bill of Rights - Protect individual liberties against the central government
Amendment #10 - the "states' rights" amendment
1789 - Judiciary Act organized the Supreme Court with John Jay as its first Chief Justice
Hamilton's economic plan:
1. Funding of the national debt - $54 million
2. Assumption of the state debts - $21.1 million
*Designed to get the support of the wealthy class for the federal government
Logrolling > National capital on the Potomac River
3. Debt to be paid by custom duties (tariffs) which made trade with England important
- Increased duties opposed by agriculture and the commercial classes
- Excise tax then passed on whiskey > Whiskey Rebellion!
4. Bank of the United States
- Constitutional?
- Strict construction vs. loose construction
States rights vs. federal power
Jefferson vs. Hamilton
- Emergence of political parties
Republicans vs. Federalists
Republicans - Party of the "loyal opposition"
Federalists: Led by Alexander Hamilton
Rule by the "best people"
Strong central government
Govt. support for business
Pro-British
Law and order
Republicans: Led by Thomas Jefferson
Sympathy for the common people
Weak central government
National debt should be paid
Govt. support for agriculture
Universal education
Pro-French
Evolution of political parties: chart on p. 161