By the 1790s, the United States had already created a strong and vigorous framework for the national government under the Constitution, however, there were international problems that involved foreign policy; the demand to pay off the debt of the Revolutionary War; and the desire to address the instability of the western lands. During this period, the United States had suffered an economic fluctuation as a result of the war with one of the most dominant and well-trained armies- Great Britain. Although the United States struggled to maintain stability, during the Federalist Era of 1789-1801, New England became one of the largest manufacturers; the Mid-Atlantic region had a balanced economy surrounding diverse communities; and the Southern region was based on agriculture and depended on slave …show more content…
The Federalists were led by George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, whom believed in a looser interpretation of the Constitution and a strong national government. They were also more sympathetic toward the British and supported the National Bank due to their desire for an industrial and commercial economy. The issue came to the forefront when France and England resumed hostilities. Many Americans supported the goals of the French Revolution, but disagreed in terms of its methods. When French representative, Edmond Genet sought American support, Washington claimed that the United States was not strong enough to engage in a war and would remain neutral in the Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793. As a result, the Proclamation sparked rallies held by American supporters of the revolution under Genet, which led to his removal as a diplomat- that Jefferson supported. This event highlighted the intensity of the international problem between France’s reliance on America and America’s refusal to participate in the French
After the war of 1812, the United States moved toward to the creation of a unified national state and by 1830 became a nation-state. Through major changes in infrastructure, establishments of national banks, and the purchases of land, America was developing into its own fully functional and self-sufficient nation.
The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, believed in supremacy of national government, broad and loose interpretation of the Constitution, and commercial and industrial development. They were pro-British. They favored national bank and protective tariffs. Therefore, they gained support mainly from American financiers, manufacturers, merchants, and established political leaders mainly outside the South. On the contrary, the Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Madison, were suspicious of national government. They believed in strong state governments led by the “common man” and strict interpretation of the Constitution. They were pro-French, and opposed to the national bank and protective tariffs. Since they put emphasis on agriculture, they gained support from wealthy southern planters and ordinary farmers throughout the country.
When it comes down to foreign relations, Federalists think the United States should not support the French war. They think the war would diminish the liberty, stability, and economy of the country. The Hamiltonians supported Jay’s Treaty associated with Britain. Britain has a very good economic system, so the Federalists are very close to them. Democratic-Republicans think the United States being in the French War was a good idea because we are fighting against an autocrat. The Democratic-Republicans fight Britain because of their monarchy. They thought that the United States should side with France in war against Britain because we had France help us in our war to get rid of a tyrant king.
Federalists were supporters of the Constitution and wanted a stronger government. The leaders of the Federalists were Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. This group had more advantages because the leaders were already members of the constitutional convention. Since they were a part of the constitutional convention, they were well-known with the issues the document had to offer. They were also organized
Hamilton believed that an alliance with France at the expense of a relationship with England would have been a disaster for his economic plan. Jefferson believed that America was obligated to help France. Though, both Hamilton and Jefferson eventually agreed that neutrality was best, they did not agree on how to declare it. Hamilton wanted Washington to publicly declare that the United States would stay out of the war. Jefferson believed that congress should declare neutrality.
Adams was criticized by both parties: his own, the Federalists and the Republicans. He was also called a warmonger and an indecisive leader during wartime; along with his uncontrollable temper, he would make rash decisions without consulting his cabinet members (Gevinson). Britain and America signed the Jay’s Treaty in 1794, and it caused France to be highly unsatisfied ("Thomas Jefferson 's Monticello"). As a result in 1796, the French began to snatch or capture American merchant ships by surprise (“Milestones: 1784–1800 - Office of the Historian").However, the Foreign Minister decided to not be cooperative and instead insulted the American envoys; this incident became known as the XYZ affairs, and it, “sparked a white-hot reaction within the United States” ( “John Adams: Foreign Affairs”). President Adams requested Congress to to create a navy because the protecting American commerce was the top priority (Magill 46). Adams was in an unofficial war with France: Quasi War. Yet in the meantime, peace negotiations were also being held in France. In the Convention of 1800 or Treaty of Mortefontaine, peace was restored between America and France ("Milestones: 1784–1800 - Office of the Historian”). Adams’ goal was avoiding full scale with France, however his own party: the Federalists, supported war against France. That meant that
As the new century approached, a national crisis began to develop in the United States. The nation faced a severe depression, nationwide labor unrest and violence, and the government’s inability to fix any of the occurring problems. The Panic of 1893 ravaged the nation and became the worse economic crisis of its time. The depression’s ruthlessness contributed to social unrest and weakened the monetary system’s strength, leading to a debate over what would be the foundation of the national currency. As the era ended, the US sought to increase its power and strength. America began expanding its oversees empires, eventually drawing itself into numerous war efforts and creating an anti-imperialist movement that challenged the government. At the turn of the century, America became engrossed in numerous economic and social tribulations, as well as foreign problems rooted in imperialism and the pursuit of the new manifest destiny.
During the period 1800-1817, the Jeffersonians to a great extent compromised their political principles and essentially “out Federalized the Federalists”. While traditional Jeffersonian Republicanism advocated a strict interpretation of the Constitution and an emphasis on an agrarian economic system, the actual policies of Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were markedly different from their theoretical principles. This obvious compromise of Jeffersonian principles is evident in the Federal government’s assumption of broad-based political powers and institution of capitalistic Hamiltonian economic reforms, both of which stemmed from Jefferson and Madison’s adoption of broad constructionist policies.
Once again, Jefferson changed from Republican views to Federalist views because of his realist and public official side. Jefferson knew this would help the United States grow and it would keep Louisana out of the hands of other countries in Europe. Because of the war between France and Britain, the United States wanted to perserve their neutrality. The United States could trade with either of the countries without facing attacks. Jefferson asked Congress for an embargo.
James Madison and Patrick Henry were part of the fifty-five men who attended the meeting in Philadelphia, in 1787. Patrick Henry, was an Anti Federalist. Anti Federalist feared that if the national government gains too much power, and it would became a threat to the people, like the British Parliament was. Patrick Henry’s family was not as rich like families of other founding fathers. Patrick Henry received an ordinary, but he spend most of his time in the wood, learning basic survival techniques (Pg 69). He also gave the very famous, speech “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” in 1775 (pg 69). Most Anti Federalist were loyal was towards the state and not towards the national government. Patrick Henry believed the federalist were “rich and the elite”, and wanted the power for themselves (pg 74). Patrick Henry said in a speech to virginia convention on june 4
During the late 1700’s, the United States was no longer a possession of Britain, instead it was a market for industrial goods and the world’s major source for tobacco, cotton, and other agricultural products. A labor revolution started to occur in the United States throughout the early 1800’s. There was a shift from an agricultural economy to an industrial market system. After the War of 1812, the domestic marketplace changed due to the strong pressure of social and economic forces. Major innovations in transportation allowed the movement of information, people, and merchandise.
Prior to the war of 1812, the Federalists and Republicans had a rivalry in their ideas for the developing nation with the former believing that the template of the British’s strict systems was appropriate for the United States while the Republicans preferred the model of a self-government, disconnecting from past displeasures. Thomas Jefferson, an antifederalist, wanted to enforce a total embargo as an action against Britain, infuriating the New Englanders since their economy was greatly dependent on British commerce, and the policy disrupted trade. This was the Republican’s risk for a declaration of war that the Federalists set disapproval towards. Rebelliously, the New Englanders condemned the War of 1812 and managed to have British goods imported into New England ports. The New England Federalists called for the Hartford Convention after their intermingling with the British and threatening to secede. This meeting was to discuss their opposing ideas from the Republicans and an attempt to revise the Constitution to be in their favor, hoping to prohibit another long-term embargo. The complaints that the Federalists presented were considered traitorous and unpatriotic with the threat of succession and the strong connection they maintained with Britain. The
The American Revolution marked the divorce of the British Empire and its one of the most valued colonies. Behind the independence that America had fought so hard for, there emerged a diverging society that was eager to embrace new doctrines. The ideals in the revolution that motivated the people to fight for freedom continued to influence American society well beyond the colonial period. For example, the ideas borrowed from John Locke about the natural rights of man was extended in an unsuccessful effort to include women and slaves. The creation of state governments and the search for a national government were the first steps that Americans took to experiment with their own system. Expansion, postwar depression as well as the new distribution of land were all evidence that pointed to the gradual maturing of the economic system. Although America was fast on its way to becoming a strong and powerful nation, the underlying issues brought about by the Revolution remained an important part in the social, political and economical developments that in some instances contradicted revolutionary principles in the period from 1775-1800.
Causes and Effects of the French Revolution The Revolution. The major cause of the French Revolution was the disputes between the different types of social classes in French society. The French Revolution of 1789-1799 was one of the most important events in the history of the world. The Revolution led to many changes in France, which at the time of the Revolution, was the most powerful state in Europe. The Revolution led to the development of new political forces such as democracy and nationalism.
The period of 18th and 19th century is marked by the greatest transformations, reformations, revolutions and many other critical events that ever took place in human history. The credit is given to all these revolutions for enlightenment of mankind. The two most important revolutions were the French revolution and the industrial revolution. One can feel that both of these revolutions mutually reinforced each other and later became the back bone of all other revolutions. On the other hand, both revolutions had totally different impacts and consequences at various economical, political and social realms.