Transcript Changes in a Young Nation--First Years as a New Nation

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009.
 US History Agenda
 BR: What are political parties? Explain what they
are and provide and example.
 Notes
 Please make sure these notes are in a safe place!!!
You will need these notes to complete an
assignment after break.
CHANGES IN A YOUNG
NATION
Did changes in the young nation open the door to opportunity for all
Americans?
The First Years of the New Nation
Introduction
 In 1803, Lewis & Clark
arrived in St. Louis Mo on
a mission from POTUS
Jefferson to explore the
western rivers for a route
to the Pacific ocean.
(Northwest Passage)
 During their journey, they
were to collect info about
Louisiana Territory—huge
amount of land purchased
from France.
 Helped by Native American
Sacajawea
Louisiana Purchase
The Country Expands Beyond Its
Colonial Borders
 In early years, US
predominately rural
 Number of flourishing cities—
Philadelphia, New York &
Boston
 Expanding beyond original 13
states
 1790-1800—3 new states, VT,
KY, & TN
 Settlers migrating across
Appalachian Mtns. To
Northwest Territory
 By early 1800’s—Americans
living from Atlantic O. to
Mississippi R.
Agriculture Is the Center of the
Nation’s Economy
 Most families lived on small farms—produced
enough to eat + a little extra
 US has little industry at this time—most farmers
made their own clothes & tools
 In urban areas—Artisans made manufactured goods
made by hand in small workshops
 In NE—few small textile mills—no large factories
 No good transportation—long distance travel done
by boat
George Washington Gives Shape to
the Office of the President
 1789—G.W. became 1st
POTUS
 Wanted to provide
strong, united, effective
gov’t—had to reassure
some that there would
not be a return to
monarchy
 1791—Congress passed tax
on Whiskey to raise $
 Farmers in western PA didn’t
like this—they sold Whiskey
for profit & tax hurt them—
began to rebel
 G.W. sent troops to stop
Whiskey Rebellion—it was a
threat to Federal authority
 Washington relied on
 Made it clear that fed. Gov’t would
Constitution to guide
enforce the law
his actions
 G.W. set up 1st cabinet—
group of advisors to POTUS
George Washington
Wednesday, December 16th,
2009.
 US History Agenda
 BR: What is destiny? Do you believe in
destiny?
 Notes
 Remember to keep your notes in a safe location—
you will need them after the break!!!
Political Parties Emerge
Federalist Party
Democratic-Republicans
 Hamilton—Secretary of
 Jefferson—Secretary of State
 Small central gov’t
 States had right to judge if
Treasury
 Powerful gov’t needed to
keep order among states
 Little faith in wisdom of
average citizen—country
should be ruled by
educated elite
Congress overstepped its
authority—States’ Rights
 Confidence in ability of
ordinary people to make
good decisions
 Political power should lie with
majority rather than wealthy
elite
Alexander Hamilton
Thomas Jefferson
 G.W. generally favored Federalist ideas
 Warned against dangers of political parties in farewell
address
 Why would Washington warn against political parties?
 What’s so bad about political parties?
 When he left office, debate between parties
increased
 John Adams, a Federalist, became 2nd POTUS
 In 1800, Adams ran for 2nd term, lost to a Democratic-
Republican, Thomas Jefferson
 Major political test—People worried that there would be
another revolution, but power shifted peacefully from
one party to another