The Origins of American Politics

1) Describe the debate over the nature of government. Compare the viewpoint of Jefferson vs. Hamilton.

· Jefferson’s secretary was opposed to Hamilton’s plans.

· Jefferson and Hamilton each had a different way of viewing the government, the human nature, as well as interpreting the constitution.

· Jefferson preferred a strict construction. He believed that the government should use the Constitution powers only when they have to.

· Hamilton preferred a loose construction. He thought that they could use the powers anytime for anything they wanted as long as they were not stopped by the constitution.

· Jefferson had more faith in the people than in the government.

· Hamilton though was betraying the example of the American Revolution.

· Jefferson opposed Hamilton’s federal plan.

2) What is a political party?

· A political party is a group of people who seek to win elections and hold public office in order to control government policy and programs.

The first political parties were:

- Democratic Society
- Jefferson’s Republicans
- Federalists – Hamilton, Washington and followers.

3) Describe John Adam’s presidency. What were some difficulties he faced?

· John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was the second president of the United States of America. He was an American Politician. He served as a leader during the American Revolution and as vice president for eight years. As a president, Adams faced the difficulty of trying to govern a young country where party differences were getting bigger. When John Adams started his presidency, The United States had a conflict with France in 1795. The merchants in the West Indies were attacked by pirates/privateers. In the year of 1797, John Adams sent three delegates to Paris to demand for peace, but when they arrived three American delegates requested a bribe of 250 000 dollars.

4) Outline the key events of Jefferson’s presidency.

· March 4, 1801 begun his presidency as third president of the USA.

· By 1800 Jefferson was the clear leader of local government.

· December 8, 1801 delivers his new address to the American congress.

· March 16, 1802 the reducing of the army by the congress has been signed by Jefferson.

· April 30, 1802 Jefferson signs the Enabling Act, which admitted Ohio as a state with the United States of America.

· His goal was to reduce the national government’s influence over American people’s lives.

· He reduces taxes and cut the federal bureaucracy’s size.

· Few aspects made him a popular president and he won the reelections in 1804.