Heimler's History: America's New Constitution in Practice

Key Topics

• Implementation of the U.S. Constitution
• Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams
• Domestic and international challenges
• Emergence of the two-party system

George Washington's Presidency

Establishment of Executive Departments

• First President: George Washington (unanimously elected)
• Created executive departments: Treasury, War, State, Justice
• Secretaries headed departments, forming the Cabinet
• Cabinet advised the President

Alexander Hamilton and the National Bank

• Hamilton: Secretary of the Treasury
• Proposed a national bank to unify states and improve U.S. credit
• Absorption of state debts into a national debt
• Controversial policy: states with little/no debt objected
• Constitutional debate: Hamilton invoked the Necessary and Proper Clause
• Bank stabilized economy

Foreign Policy Challenges

• French Revolution: debate whether to aid France
• Proclamation of Neutrality (1793) issued by Washington
• Edmond Genet controversy: bypassed government to appeal to the public
• British impressment of American sailors
• Jay's Treaty: British withdrawal from western posts
• Pinckney Treaty (1795): U.S. use of New Orleans port and defined southern border

Domestic Challenges

• Westward expansion: conflicts with American Indians
• Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794): U.S. defeated Indian confederacy
• Whiskey Rebellion (1794): whiskey tax led to farmer revolt
• Washington deployed federal army to suppress rebellion

Emergence of the Two-Party System

• Federalists led by Hamilton: strong central government, urban interests
• Democratic-Republicans led by Jefferson and Madison: states' rights, rural interests
• Washington's Farewell Address: warned against political parties, foreign alliances

John Adams' Presidency

• Continued neutrality amidst Britain-France conflict
• XYZ Affair: French diplomats demanded bribes
• Alien and Sedition Acts: targeted immigrants and restricted criticism of government
• Democratic-Republican response: Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Conclusion

• Adams lost reelection, Jefferson became President (1800)
• Significance of early challenges in the establishment of U.S. governance

Additional Resources

• Mention of the "Ultimate Review Packet" for exam preparation
• Encouragement to subscribe for more educational content