Crash Course U.S. History: Early Politics and Governance

Introduction

• Lecture by John Green on the early political landscape in the U.S.
• Focus on the adversarial nature of politics from the nation's inception.

Key Political Figures and Their Visions

Alexander Hamilton

• Background: Served as George Washington's top aide and first Secretary of the Treasury.
• Vision for America:
  • Mercantile Nation: Involved in world trade.
  • Manufacturing Powerhouse: Envisioned strong manufacturing infrastructure.
  • Strong Government: Needed for infrastructure and patent protection.
  • Elite Governance: Favored a government led by the rich and well-born.
  • Foreign Relations: Preferred a close relationship with Great Britain.

Thomas Jefferson

• Background: Ambassador in Paris, later became President.
• Vision for America:
  • Agrarian Society: Preferred small-scale, subsistence farming.
  • Local Economy: Little to no international trade or manufacturing.
  • Small Government: Distrusted concentrated power.
  • Democrat: Believed in self-governance by the masses.
  • Foreign Relations: Favored France, skeptical of Britain.

Political Parties and Ideologies

• Federalists: Led by Hamilton, favored a strong central government and economic policies supporting trade and manufacturing.
• Republicans (Democratic-Republicans): Led by Jefferson, advocated for agrarianism and more democratic governance.

Hamilton's Five Point Plan

1. Nation's Creditworthiness: Assumed state debts to establish national credit.
2. National Debt: Created interest-bearing bonds.
3. Bank of the United States: A private bank to hold public funds.
4. Whiskey Tax: Excise tax on whiskey, controversial among farmers.
5. Tariffs: Encouraged domestic manufacturing.

Political Conflicts

• Whiskey Rebellion: Farmers protested the whiskey tax, leading Washington to send troops.
• Foreign Relations:
  • Hamilton wanted closer ties with Britain.
  • Jefferson and Republicans preferred France.
• Jay Treaty: Improved U.S.-Britain trade but ignored impressment.

Washington's Presidency

• Set precedents like serving two terms and wearing civilian clothes.
• Advocated unity, warned against political parties.

Adams' Presidency and Challenges

• XYZ Affair: Led to quasi-war with France and public hysteria.
• Alien and Sedition Acts: Restricted speech and citizenship.
• Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions: Claimed states could nullify federal laws.

Conclusion

• The early U.S. was politically unsettled, grappling with issues like free speech and state vs. federal powers.
• The administrations of Washington and Adams set foundational precedents for future governance.

Additional Notes

• The electoral system flaws revealed during Adams' presidency.
• Political rivalry between Federalists and Republicans shaped early American politics.