The Early Republic

15 September 2004 (Lecture #10)

 

·    US experiencing resistance to unpopular whiskey tax

·    Federal government assumes all debt to pay it off faster and unite the states

·    Many wondered if the US could maintain a gov (they’d overthrown two in the past 15 years)

·    John Adams: against aiding the wealth, not fully committed to industrialism, and opposed to allying with Brits

 

1789: A Social Portrait

·         White population was doubling about every 20 years

·         Blacks (20% of population) and Indians had no political voice

·         Most significant difference was whether one was dependent on commercial economy vs. being semisubsistence farmers

 

·         Federalists pass acts to suppress disloyalty (unpopular)

o        Alien Act – Pres can deport those suspected of treasonable leanings

o        Naturalization Act – increases time to become a citizen (and vote) to 14 years (most immigrants were republican)

o        Sedition Act – imposed heavy fines for speaking falsely against gov (heavily opposed)

o        Naturalization Act repealed when republicans gain control; the other two expire quietly before that

 

The Jeffersonian Republic

·         First transfer of power was a success – no confusion, bloodshed, or violence

·         In his inaugural speech, he tried to emphasize some Federalist views too

·         He was committed to paying down the debt, which he debt by slashing the military and establishing tariffs

·         Acted pragmatically and yielded to principles when he needed to

 

Jefferson and Western Expansion

·         Spain abruptly forbid US to use the Mississippi, which hurt shipping a great deal

·         Napoleon needs money to fuel his military and offers to sell all of Louisiana too

·         Negotiators agree on the spot, beyond their power, but Jefferson pleased and gets Senate approval

 

Whites and Indians on the Frontier

·         Some tried to adopt white ways, but were unsuccessful in the end

·         White population grew very quickly, displacing Indian culture and people

 

The Second War for Independence

·         France and Britain are at war and both are raiding US ships

·         US offers to stop trade with one country if the other lifts its hostilities on US ships

·         US goes to war with Brits, angry about Indians incited by Brits and Brit policy vs US ships

·         War not easy – Jefferson’s military cuts made the US fleet unable to break the Brit blockade

o        Brits dedicate very few troops to US

o        Creek Indians rise up against US but are put down, permanently killing Indian military power there

o        Brit makes peace with France and sends three offensive armies to the US

§         Brits defeated on Lake Champlain

§         Brits burn DC but cannot take Baltimore and so retreat

§         Brits land in New Orleans with a far superior force but are defeated badly

 

America Turns Inward

·         US annexes West Florida; Spain too busy securing the Indies and more worried about Mexico

·         Spain signs a treaty establishing a line dividing US and Spanish territory; gives US territory all the way to the coast

·         US falls into tough times with a debate over slavery

 

Jacksonian Democracy

·         None got a <50%; House picked Adams (#2 by votes) which enrages many ΰ adoption of universal male suffrage

o        Now candidates must persuade a large group of people

o        Growth of a 2-party system – an individual cannot get his word out alone

 

Conclusions

·         US survival by no means assured

·         Geographic isolation, economic stability, and European wars gave the US time to succeed