Early Implementation of the US Constitution

May 7, 2024

Summary of Lecture on the Early US Constitution's Implementation

Today, we covered how America’s new Constitution was put into practice during the presidencies of George Washington and John Adams. We explored the establishment of executive departments, contentious policies, foreign affairs, and the emergence of a two-party political system. Let's break down each component discussed.

George Washington's Presidency

Establishment of Executive Departments

  • George Washington set up the foundation of the current governmental structure by creating:
    • The Treasury Department
    • The War Department
    • The State Department
    • The Justice Department
  • Each department was headed by a secretary, forming Washington’s cabinet, a system that continues to this day.

Financial Policies: National Bank and National Debt

  • Alexander Hamilton, as the Secretary of the Treasury, implemented crucial financial strategies:
    • Proposed the creation of a National Bank to unify the states and improve national credit.
    • Advocated for absorbing state debts into a national debt to enhance the U.S.'s borrowing capacity.
  • Faced opposition from states with low debts and debated on the constitutionality under the "necessary and proper" clause.

Foreign Affairs

  • French Revolution: Washington issued the Proclamation of Neutrality (1793) amid the French Revolution, controversially deciding against aiding France against Britain, emphasizing U.S.'s nascent state needing neutrality.
  • Jay’s Treaty: Negotiated by John Jay to address the issue of British seizures of American ships; however, it narrowly focused on the British evacuation of western forts.
  • Pinckney’s Treaty (1795) with Spain, which secured navigation rights on the Mississippi and established the southern U.S. border at the 31st parallel.

Domestic Challenges

  • Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794): U.S. forces defeated a confederation of Native American tribes, leading to the surrender of lands in the Ohio Valley.
  • Whiskey Rebellion (1794): A federal tax on whiskey incited violence among Pennsylvania farmers. Washington demonstrated federal authority by personally leading troops to suppress the rebellion, underscoring the Constitution's effectiveness.

John Adams' Presidency

Continued Foreign Challenges

  • Relations with France deteriorated, leading to the XYZ Affair, where French officials demanded bribes, igniting public outrage.
  • Alien and Sedition Acts: These laws allowed for the deportation of non-citizens and criminalized public dissent against the government, reflecting Federalist policies and leading to significant controversy and the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, which asserted states' rights to nullify federal laws.

Political Landscape

  • The emergence of two-party system in America:
    • Federalists: Led by Alexander Hamilton, advocating for a strong central government and favoring urban and elite interests.
    • Democratic-Republicans: Led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, supporting states' rights and rural/agricultural interests.

Washington's Farewell Address

  • Warned against political factions and entangling alliances, leaving a legacy of neutrality and internal unity.

Transition to Thomas Jefferson

  • Adams, afflicted by the unpopular acts and difficult international relations, was not re-elected, leading to Thomas Jefferson's presidency starting 1800.

This lecture highlights the challenges and controversies of implementing the newly formed U.S. Constitution under its first administrations, setting precedents and policies that would shape the future of the U.S. government.