US History

U.S. History Study Guide

Chapter 8: Creating a Nation (1789-1817)

8.1 Creating a Nation The following chapter covers the Federalist Era and Jeffersonian Era. The Federalist Era spans 1789 to 1801 and the presidents who make up this era are George Washington and John Adams. The Jeffersonian Era covers 1801 to 1817, this era includes presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The chapter will include a summary of important events, the culture, economics, immigrations, inventions and innovations of the time. 8.2 The Federalist Era The Federalist Era lasted from 1789 until 1801 and it established a strong federal government and the formation of political parties. During Washington's presidency, the Federalist Party began to create its own identity and truly separate itself from the existing parties. Alexander Hamilton, the Secretary of the Treasury, believed in a strong federal government that would be responsible for the nation’s economy. Under Hamilton's guidance and Washington's approval, the federal government took on all state debts and assumed old debts from the Revolution. The Federalists created a national bank and made the federal government strong enough to tax the states, unlike before under The Articles of Confederation. Anti-Federalists led by Thomas Jefferson strongly opposed the direction the administration was going. They feared the federal government was too strong and made the states too weak. They protested the Federalist tax policy, believing it benefited the wealthy and opposed the national bank saying it was unconstitutional. From this, the Republican Party was founded in 1792 to oppose Federalist Policy. In 1796, John Adams, an ardent Federalist, was elected president. In 1798, the Adams’ administration passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, which called for the arrest of non-U.S. citizens during wartime and gave the president the power to deport foreign nationals at his discretion. Under this act it was also a criminal offense to criticize the president or the government. This was fiercely opposed by the Republicans and the public. Jefferson was able to use this to defeat Adams in the presidential election of 1800.The Federalist Era ended when Thomas Jefferson became president in 1801. The election of 1800 was ruthless with mudslinging and slander. These two men were best friends until their political stances consumed them and after the election of 1800 both men did not speak to one another for approximately eleven years. 8.3 The New Executive George Washington unanimously won the presidency with John Adams received the next highest number thus becoming the vice-president. Washington was inaugurated in New York City, the temporary seat of government, on April 30, 1789.

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