SMALL REPUBLIC, BIG SHOULDERS
A Patriot’s History of the United States
Chapter 5
1. Venomous arguments ensued from the parties even after the ratification of the Constitution. What were the main points they were arguing over? Size and necessity of big government. Who to support – France or Britain for European power?
2. What was unprecedented about John Adams becoming president when he did? George Washington had “relinquished” the crown. Adams took office without bloodshed – almost unheard of around the world.
3. How were Adams's strengths and weaknesses compared to Washington's? Adams was a brilliant lawyer, pious to a fault because of his doctrinal religion. He brought a sense of the sacred to government that Washington lacked. He put his moral compass before the nation. People could not stand him. Washington was more subtle, even boring at times. Was never in it for personal glory. Invented the concept of “cabinet.” Was supposedly in love with another woman besides his wife, Martha. Adams’ best friend and confidant was his wife Abigail.
4. Who were the men and their positions in Washington's cabinet? Jefferson: Sec. of State, Hamilton: Sec. of Treasury, Henry Knox, Sec. of War, Edmund Jennings Randolph: Atty General
Opposition came from the Jeffersonian Democratic-Republican party because they feared that subsidy would lead to corruption and favoritism of certain manufacturers. Madison and Jefferson were totally against. They felt like it was the “gov. feeding off the public trough. Other opposition was that solvent states felt that they should not have to pay for the lax fiscal policies of the indebted states. This report rejected his views of earlier reports. He understood the oncoming industrial revolution accelerating the use of technology, capital, labor, etc. Opposition came because he tried to implement with mercantilism ideals.
6. What was the Whiskey Rebellion and why did it cause such a rift between Washington and Jefferson? Hamilton’s new fiscal policies included a $.25 tax on corn produced by Westerners. He did this because they needed revenue, but also because he wanted to show the people that the gov. could flex its taxation muscles whenever they wanted to. The “whiskey rebels” resorted to violence, terrorizing tax collectors, threatening to shut down courts and to invade Pittsburg. (APHOUS pg. 6)Washington offered them amnesty for surrender which they refused. Two of the rebels were convicted of treason but Washington pardoned them both in 1793. Washington and Hamilton felt that they had a victory in showing the people “who’s boss” but the Republicans saw a resemblance of their gov. to the tyrannical British gov. of the Revolutionary War. Gave Jefferson an edge with the people.
7. How was the French Revolution different than the American Revolution? How did Washington attempt to "band-aid" relationships with Britain and France? Why did Jefferson resign as Secretary of State during this time? The French had supported the American Revolution by providing 90% of the ammo, a navy and army (the Americans had none)to fight against Britain. Afterwards, they witnessed the success of the American Revolution and sought themselves to rebel against the tyranny of King Louis XVI. The outcomes were totally different and pretty violent. Whereas America’s goal was to actually cede from a tyrannical government overseas, the French Revolution was based on class warfare. They beheaded King Louis XVI but he was then replaced by a worse tyrant; Robespierre. They were fighting against every monarchy. Fighting against a government on the same soil proved extremely violent which literally led to blood running in the streets.
Still recovering from their own revolution, America wanted to stay out of the conflict in France. Washington, therefore, issued the “Proclamation of Neutrality” in April 1793. It didn’t work. Britain terrorized American French-bound ships ransacking inventory and randomly taking sailors as slaves, ignoring the provisions of the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War. The French, on the other hand, were totally incensed that the ungrateful Americans weren’t reciprocating support. They couldn’t believe how the Americans were “bowing” to the British.
Madison and Jefferson supported the French and attempted “to undercut” the president”. Washington had “ceased to listen” to his Secretary of State, Jefferson, forcing Jefferson to resign as he felt he was useless in his position. Jefferson returned to Monticello to plan his political revenge.
8. Explain John Jay's Treaty with Britain. Jay was an Anglophile (sympathetic to the British). Serving as Chief Justice to the Supreme Court, Jay was assigned to go to Britain and negotiate a long overdue treaty with them. They were ignoring or violating many aspects of prior agreements: disputes between the Maine-Canadian border, British occupation of Northwest posts, overdue compensation to slave owners whose slaves were “wrongly” released during the war, British acknowledgement of “freedom of the seas” to trade with the French West-Indies. Jay was an Anglophile (sympathetic to the British). He basically caved. He dropped the slave compensation, agreed to the British definition of “freedom of the seas” meaning that America could not go into enemy ports, the boundary dispute was turned over to a commission, and the U.S. would absorb all debt to British merchants incurred by the war. Hmmmm…. Note to Washington…. Don’t send this guy to do any negotiations…
9. Explain the difference between Republicans and Federalists. Which of these would most likely align with the Democrats and Republicans of today? Why? Republicans – more rural and agricultural, small, democratic, decentralized government. Jefferson, Madison, Monroe. Most like the Republicans of today. Federalists: expansive vigorous national government that could tax, fight, regulate commerce, and provide the “general welfare” for all citizens. They wanted a viable army and foreign policy to trade with Great Britain. Most like Democrats of today. Both parties agreed on a strong republican government with division of power, adherence to the Constitution and no use of violence to achieve political goals.
10. What was "Democracy's first test?" The first contested presidential election between Adams and Jefferson. The VP was the man that came in second place. Aaron Burr and Thomas Pinckney also ran. Irregularities and confusion lead to the Twelfth Amendment.
11. What about Washington's legacy set a precedence for future leaders; political or otherwise? (pg. 148-150) He stepped down from office. He served only two terms. He was weary from government service and literally sickened by the bickering between parties. Every president followed suit except FDR who served four terms. After his death the Twenty-second Amendment was established for presidents to serve only two terms. He was the moral character of virtuous behavior for all presidents to follow.
12. What was the X,Y,Z Affair? How did it lead to a Quasi War? Three French agents, publicly referred to as X, Y and Z, but later revealed as Jean Conrad Hottinguer, Pierre Bellamy and Lucien Hauteval, demanded major concessions from the United States as a condition for continuing bilateral peace negotiations. The concessions demanded by the French included 50,000 pounds sterling, a $12 million loan from the United States, a $250,000 personal bribe to French foreign minister Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, and a formal apology for comments made by President of the United States John Adams.[2] Charles Pinckney, John Marshall and Elbridge Gerry were sent to France to negotiate peace with France who had begun to terrorize American ships after feeling snubbed in the Jay Treaty. They met with 3 French agents called X, Y, and Z. The American response was”…Americans would gladly spend “millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.” And went home. The Quasi-War began in July, 1798. Although there was no formal declaration of war, the conflict escalated with more French seizures of American merchant ships, American seizure of French merchant ships, and the abrogation of the Franco-American Alliance.
13. What act basically killed the Arch-Federalist cause? Why? They passed extreme laws like the “Alien and Sedition Acts”. “The Naturalization Act” aimed at French and Irish immigrants, increased from 4 to 14 years to become a U.S. citizen. Most of these were Catholic and Republicans – who would have normally supported them.
14. It's been nineteen years since the Revolution and the Americans have risen in revolt three times over the very same issue. What was it? Taxation: Tea Party, Shays’ Rebellion, Fries Rebellion (“Direct Tax of 1798” – penalized property ownership)
15. Review the election of Jefferson over Adams. What was unusual about it? Would this election be possible today? Why or why not? It was a peaceful transfer amidst heightened emotion between parties. Adams lost to Jefferson fair and square. Though he hated Jefferson, he valiantly turned over the government “to an enemy faction without so much as a bayonet raised or a lawsuit threatened.” (APHOUS pg 155)
16. What serious concerns and problems arose with a rapidly "growing America? Thousands of immigrants brought thousands of horses, dogs, and other animals defecating on the city streets. Also had to deal with hundreds of dead carcasses. They had no agency to clean up so had to hire out to take care of it. Human bodies mysteriously showed up in the Hudson. “Aquatic pseudoambulance drivers would fight over who claimed the body to get the reward.” (APHOUS pg. 156)As the state created agencies to remedy these problems, citizens became dependent on them. Hospitals, schools, banks, road companies, had to “prove” their value to be granted a charter. However, more people immigrated because of promise of prosperity, economic abundance, and healthier environment.
17. Who was Thomas Jefferson? What do we know about him as he begins his administration? First to govern from DC, drafted the Declaration of Independence, member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, governor of Virginia, minister to France, Secretary of state, the Sage of Monticello, greatly blessed this nation. His wife died in 1782 which he never got over. He had two daughters that he basically ignored and continued to immerse in public life. Did not find much solace in religion. Though he built Monticello himself, it didn’t offer him much job either. He founded U of V, and reformed the curriculum of William and Mary introducing medicine and anatomy. Was said to have fathered a child from one of his slaves, Sally Hemmings. However, DNA tests have since cast some doubts on that.
Platform: strict construction to the constitution, economy in government, national debt payment, encouragement of agriculture, reviled the “Alien and Sedition” acts.
18. Early demands for small government are eroding quickly. How did Jefferson's judicial system play into that? Do personal feelings playing into the politics at this point? If so, how? Gallatin, his secretary of treasury, developed the Treasury Department and began to pay off the national debt. Allowed Gallatin to devise a massive government plan for infrastructure “amounting to five times that of the other total government outlays under Jefferson.”(pg. 61) Did cut budget in other areas: Cut federal deficit by 50%! Cut navy and army funding, but created the Military Academy of West Point. Simplicity – much less formal than Washington or Adams. Still fuming over the appointment of the 61 “midnight judges” from Adams’s lame-duck Congress, he issued the “Amendatory Act” eliminating 30 of Adams’s 47 judges. Marbury vs. Madison – Marbury was appointed as justice of the peace which he did not receive and was told it had “vanished.” He sued and lost under Justice Marshall who ruled that the “Supreme Court could not order Marbury commissioned because they lacked the constitutional jurisdiction to do so. This paved the road toward nationalism through judicial review.
19. What were the controversies over the "Louisiana Purchase?" First of all Jefferson kind of snuck this one in. The Spanish sold this land to France. Napoleon promised he would never sell it and set out immediately to do just that. He knew it would be almost impossible to safeguard this huge area in the new world. The British, who were always happy to “rat” on the French, told an envoy to England, Rufus King, about the potential purchase, which he, of course, leaked to Jefferson. With glee and $15 million he commissioned first Robert Livingston to investigate the sale. Didn’t work. Then he sent Monroe who began negotiations with Napoleon’s minister, Tallyrand. “What will you give us for the whole?” was his question! Monroe made the deal of the century and purchased a literal goldmine of land for $15 million! In typical politic-speak, Jefferson described the Louisiana Purchase as “… an empire of liberty” populated by farmers who just happened to vote for his party. Weird coincidence.
20. Who were Louis and Clark? What were they commissioned to do? U.S. army captain Meriweather Lewis and soldier, William Clark. 
Explorers commissioned for a military expedition to this vast new area. Fifty man Corp of Discovery to unknown lands. They were guided by Sacajawea and her husband Toussaint Charbonneau who also translated for them. Jefferson expected economic boosts but had ulterior motives of an additional agrarian Republic, meaning support for him and his party.
21. Who was Aaron Burr? Though he tried numerous times at political fame, what is his American legacy? He was not trusted. He “…evidently told all of his confidants whatever they wanted to hear so long as they would lend him money.” He was bitter and schemed for many years his revenge. He killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Hamilton had made a disparaging remark about Burr.
22. What was Jefferson's stance on a strong navy and army? How did this affect his legacy after leaving office? Jefferson was anti-military. He drastically reduced funding, warships and man power for the navy and army. When he left office, “the main results of his well-intentioned foreign policy were economic downturn, a temporarily revived Federalist opposition, and a perception by France and Britain that America was weak and lacked conviction”. (pg 170)
23. Was Jefferson a good president, in your opinion? Why or why not?
24. What were Madison's main reasons for declaring The War of 1812 with Britain again? Trade restrictions, maritime rights with Britain, British impressment of American sailors into the Royal Navy. They felt like the Americans were just traitors anyway. The battle at Baltimore inspired the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”, written by Francis Scott Key
25. How did Jefferson's military policy affect Madison's foreign policy? He had almost decimated the navy and army which Madison had to slowly build after taking office.
26. When was the War of 1812? (just kidding... that one's a freebie...)
27. Describe Madison's victory in the "Battle of New Orleans". Why was the mighty British army, once again, at a disadvantage? Famed “Battle of New Orleans” was fought two weeks after the war was over. Jackson’s men waited for the British on the breastworks of Chalmette near New Orleans.. The British were disadvantaged because of the swampy terrain on one side, a canal on the other and a vast expanse of open field that the Redcoats would have to cover. A thick fog, once again, settled over the area but suddenly lifted exposing the British to the Jackson’s army who attacked and eventually won the battle and invaluable port to the gulf in Louisiana.
28. What great compliment did John Adams declare about Madison that could have been an indirect assault on Jefferson? Adams said of Madison, “Notwithstanding a thousand blunders, President James Madison had acquired more glory and established more Union than all his three predecessors, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, put together.”
29. The War of 1812 was a victory over the British, but probably affected what other people? How? Affected the Indians because they are being forced from their lands; “smashing the power of all tribes east of the Mississippi.
I wonder if our forefathers had Excedrin, Tylenol... you know... something for when those nagging headaches came on? You know like when Washington gets ready for the hundreth meeting and in strolls Hamilton? Ever experienced that? Like, "Oh please let him/her be asbent today!" Then they saunter in with that look. I mean... I'm picturing my husband in one of these meetings trying to remember if he's a Naturalist, a Federalist, an Anti-Federalist, a Whig, Tory, Jeffersonian-Republican, or part of the Donner party. He's wearing tights, a wool coat buttoned up around his chin and a powered wig. There's no air, it's stifling hot, Franklin is yet to discover Zest or Dial... yup... I'm thinking that the purveyor of meds would be pretty popular. Really... why would you have wanted that job? By the way, were mullets in style during the 1700's?
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