Establishing the
New Nation
In the late 1700s the United States confronted the difficult task of forming a
new government. Political ideas differed, especially among politicians such
as Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. The political differences
evolved into a two-party system, despite the warning of George Washington.
Main Ideas:
1) Americans became sharply divided in the 1790s over whether order
or liberty was more important.
2) With the election of 1800, Americans peacefully accomplished the
nation’s first transfer of power from one party to another.
3) As President, Jefferson sought to reduce the power of the federal
government. Yet he also demonstrated the government’s power when
he bought new lands and restricted foreign trade.
4) As the United States continued to expand onto their lands, Native
Americans responded in various ways, from acceptance to war.
5) Americans emerged from the War of 1812 with a new sense of
national pride, but economic and moral conflicts continued to trouble
the country.