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Unit 3 – Antebellum America
Political Parties and Early
Foreign/Domestic Issues


To what extent were Washington and Adams effective
in dealing with crises?
How did political parties exemplify a divided nation
during these crises?
Class Discussion


Identify the two major political parties as well as some of
the general beliefs that each of these parties hold.
You don’t have to write this down.
Party:
Party:
Beliefs:
Beliefs:
These aren’t the only two political parties that have
existed in the U.S. Political parties have had long and
winding history to get to where they are now
1st Political Rivalry
Thomas Jefferson
(Democratic-Republican)
Alexander Hamilton
(Federalist)
vs.
Washington’s Secretary of State
Washington’s Secretary of Treasury
1st Political Rivalry
Alexander Hamilton
(Federalist)
Thomas Jefferson
(Democratic-Republican)
vs.
Washington’s Secretary of Treasury
Washington’s Secretary of State
Early Political Parties
Issues in Early American History

½ of the class will be assigned as “Federalists”

½ of the class will be assigned as “Democratic
Republicans”

For each issue, students will determine what their
assigned political party would want to do about it.
Issue #1: Whiskey Rebellion

President: Washington (no party)

Background:
 Fed. Gov’t creates a whiskey tax to generate revenue
 Farmers rebel and protest against tax (they used whiskey as currency)
Atyour
table, decide
what youwhiskey
think your
Federalists:
Supported
tax assigned political party would want to
do about this… Don’t write anything down yet!

Dem-Reps: Opposed whiskey tax
The group member with the lightest shirt will share your response.
Issue #1: Whiskey Rebellion



15,000 troops sent
Presidency commanded new respect
Many criticized the government’s use of force
Issue #2 – Hamilton’s Financial Plan

President: George Washington, no party

Background:
 Pay war debts
 Raise gov’t revenue
 Create a national bank
 Favored tariffs
Issue #2 – Hamilton’s Financial Plan
AtFederalists:
supported
Loose
construction
(flexible
your table, decide
what- you
think
your assigned
political
party
interpretation
of about
Const;this…
“necessary
would
want to do
Don’t and
writeproper”)
anything down yet!
group member
with- the
darkest
color shoes
The
Dem-Reps:
opposed
Strict
construction
response.
What happened?
 Plan is accepted
 U.S. capitol is moved south (from Philly to D.C.)
will share your
Issue 3: French Revolution

President: George Washington (1789-1797), no party

Background: BR declared war on FR (to stop French
Revolution from spreading). We had a treaty with France
(because they helped us with our Revolution)
At
table, decide
what the
you Revolution
think your and
assigned
political
 your
Federalists:
Opposed
opposed
American
party
wouldfor
want
do about this…
Don’t write anything down
support
thetoanti-monarchy
group
yet!
 Dem-Reps: Supported the popular forces in the French
The
group member with the longest pinky will share your
Revolution and favored American assistance
response.
Issue 3: French Revolution

What do we do?

George Washington
proclaims neutrality.
Issue #4: Jay’s Treaty


President: Washington (no party)
Background:
 BR violated of the rights of neutrality (impressment, arming
Indians)
 Diplomat John Jay sent to BR to avoid war
At your table, decide what you think your assigned political party
 Federalists: supported – to avoid war & protect economy
would want to do about this… Don’t write anything down yet!
 Dem-Reps: opposed – saw treaty as a pro-British and
trade with
Theimpeded
group member
whoFrance
has a legit “stupid human trick” will share
your response.
Issue #4: Jay’s Treaty

What Happened:




US = most-favored nation
trading status
BR to give up forts, pay
damages to U.S. merchants
US payment of pre-rev. debts
Spain later gave up rights to
MS Riv. and NOLA in
Pinckney’s Treaty
Issue #5: Quasi-War with France (XYZ Affair)

President: John Adams (1797-1801), Federalist



FR start seizing US trading ships
US sends diplomats
three FR agents (called XYZ) seek bribes from the US to open
trading and avoid potential war with France
At your table, decide what you think your assigned political party
 Federalists:
XYZ
affair
as reason
to not down
support
would
want to do cite
about
this…
Don’t
write anything
yet!the
French
The
group member
whocondone
has ever actions
lived outside
Lexington
will
 Dem-Reps:
don’t
of theofFrench
agents
share
your response.
(XYZ),
but oppose war with French
Issue #5: Quasi-War with France (XYZ Affair)

What Happened?




US refused to pay bribe
US-France began undeclared war
1798 – All trade suspended with France
Department of the Navy created
Rally back and forth: Pick out 1 character in the image and describe what they might be saying.
Issue #6 – Alien and Sedition Acts


President: John Adams (1797-1801), Fed
Background:
 difficult to immigrate or become a citizen
 illegal to criticize the gov’t
 easy to deport foreigners
At your table, decide what you think your assigned political party

Federalists:
Supported
- to prevent
growth
of DRs
would
want to do
about this…
Don’t write
anything
down yet!
The
group member
with

Dem-Reps:
Opposed
most
pets
share your response.
- threat
to will
liberties.
Issue #6 – Alien and Sedition Acts

What Happened?


passed in Congress
DRs wrote the VA/KY Resolutions to nullify
(declare) the acts invalid
Wrap Up

To what extent were Washington and Adams effective in
dealing with crises?

How did political parties exemplify a divided nation during
these crises?