The early republic

The Bill of Rights
Drafted by James Madison
Relied heavily on Virginia Declaration of Rights (George Mason)
10 amendments specifying rights of the people
Went into effect 1791

Alexander Hamilton
Co-author- The Federalist Papers
Industrial vision of America’s future
Admired Britain’s strong central government and industrial strength
Ambitious, hardworking
Appointed first Secretary of the Treasury by GW
Ordered to solve nation’s financial problems
Alexander Hamilton

Hamilton’s Financial Plan
3 Parts:
Report on Public Credit- Federal government assumes all state debts
Report on Banking- Asked Congress to create a Bank of the U.S. to issue currency, manage debt, etc.
Report on Manufactures- pass a protective tariff to stimulate domestic manufacturing

Opposition to Plan
Southerners felt plan favored Northern states
Debate over meaning of Constitution
“strict” vs “loose” interpretation
Was bank “necessary and proper” for the nation?
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison

Bank of the United States
Most controversial part of Hamilton’s plan
Led to formation of America’s modern political parties
Federalists (pro-Bank), Democratic-Republicans (anti-Bank)
1791- Washington sides with Hamilton, Bank is created (BUS)
First Bank of the US- Philadelphia

Early Political Parties
Hamilton and Federalists
Strong central gov’t
Rule by wealthy, educated
Industrial vision
loose interpretation
Pro-England
Protective tariffs, BUS
Jefferson and the Republicans
Strong state govts
Rule by the common man
Agrarian vision
strict interpretation
Pro-France
Anti- tariffs, BUS

Early Political Parties (con’t)
Federalists
Supported by artisans, merchants, manufacturers, bankers
North, urban cities
Basis for modern Republican party
Democratic-Republicans
Supported by farmers
South, western frontier
Basis for modern Democratic Party

Foreign Policy Under Washington
Revolution in France divides America
1793- Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation (England vs France)
Impressments of American ships
Jay’s Treaty (1794)
Pinckney’s Treaty (1795)
Chaos in France

Western Expansion
1780s-90s: area between Appalachians and Miss. River settled rapidly
Led to conflicts with Natives (Battle of Fallen Timbers) in Northwest Territory
Treaty of Greenville (1795)
Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794): American troops vs native confederation