Required Reading: Eric Foner Give Me Liberty: An American Hi

Required Readingeric Foner Give Me Liberty An American History Vol

Complete the chart in bullet-style comparing Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, including their proponents, support bases, views on democracy, federal or state power, stance on the French Revolution, relationship with Britain, stance on the Alien and Sedition Acts, and support of Hamilton’s economic plans. Additionally, explain the significance of the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, the “Revolution of 1800,” and Gabriel’s Rebellion in 3-5 sentences. Evaluate whether policies like Marbury v. Madison, the Louisiana Purchase, the 1807 Embargo, and the Barbary Wars were successful or failed under Jefferson’s administration, and discuss the irony present in their outcomes, with reference to Eric Foner’s perspectives.

Paper For Above instruction

The early political landscape of the United States was characterized by the emergence of two dominant parties: the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. The Federalists, led by figures such as Alexander Hamilton, supported a strong central government, a loose interpretation of the Constitution, and favored policies that promoted manufacturing and commerce. Their supporters were often from the urban North, financial sectors, and merchants who favored stability and federal authority. They generally distrusted direct democracy and believed that power should be concentrated at the federal level. Conversely, the Democratic-Republicans, spearheaded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, championed states' rights, a strict interpretation of the Constitution, and the interests of farmers and rural populations. Their support was strongest in the South and West, emphasizing democratic participation. They supported more power for the states, were initially more sympathetic to the French Revolution, and viewed Britain with suspicion. The Federalists, in contrast, were less supportive of the French Revolution, favoring close ties with Britain, exemplified by their opposition to the pro-French policies of Jefferson. The Alien and Sedition Acts, viewed as federal overreach, were opposed by Democrats-Republicans who saw them as unconstitutional restraints on freedom of speech. Hamilton’s economic plans, including the Bank of the United States, were generally supported by Federalists, while Democratic-Republicans opposed such central banking initiatives, fearing they favored the wealthy elite.

The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, authored secretly by Jefferson and Madison, respectively, were significant because they asserted that states could nullify federal laws deemed unconstitutional. This articulated a doctrine of states’ rights that would influence future conflicts over federal authority. The “Revolution of 1800” symbolized a peaceful transfer of power between parties, emphasizing the importance of electoral processes and setting a precedent for democratic stability. Gabriel’s Rebellion, a failed enslaved uprising in 1800, highlighted the fragile nature of freedom and increased fears among white Southerners, leading to stricter slave laws and suppression of abolitionist sentiments. Historically, these events underscore the complex transition from revolutionary ideals to the realities of governance and social control.

Regarding key policies, Marbury v. Madison (1803) established judicial review, a success that significantly empowered the judiciary. The Louisiana Purchase (1803) was a successful expansion of territory, doubling the nation's size and opening economic opportunities, though it raised constitutional questions. The 1807 Embargo, intended to pressure Britain and France, ultimately proved a failure as it severely hurt American commerce and was widely unpopular; it demonstrated the difficulty of asserting economic sovereignty without hurting domestic interests. The Barbary Wars, fought to stop piracy and protect American shipping abroad, were generally successful in asserting U.S. resolve and establishing naval power.

Foner emphasizes that the outcomes of these policies often contained ironies. For example, Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase, made in part to promote agrarian democracy, also prompted discussions on constitutional authority since the Constitution did not explicitly authorize such acquisition. Similarly, the Embargo, enacted to uphold neutrality, hurt the U.S. economy and was repealed, showing the unintended consequences of policies aimed at strengthening democracy. These ironies reveal the complexities faced by Jefferson’s administration, balancing ideals with practical realities. Overall, these policies reflect the early struggle to define American identity—whether as a nation of free citizens, territorial expansion, or maritime neutrality—and demonstrate that effective governance often involves navigating unexpected contradictions.

References

• Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty! An American History. Volume 1. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2017.
• Wood, Gordon S. The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage Books, 1993.
• Maier, Pauline. Revolutionary Origins of the Constitution. LSU Press, 1987.
• Rakove, Jack N. Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. Vintage Books, 1996.
• Chernow, Ron. Washington. Penguin Press, 2010.
• Holton, Woody. Unruly Americans and the Origin of the Constitution. Hill and Wang, 2007.
• Ellis, Joseph J. American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson. Knopf, 1996.
• Flexner, Jessica. Equal Means of Ascent: Social Mobility and the Politics of Race in Early Republican America. University of North Carolina Press, 1990.
• Larson, Edward J. A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800. Free Press, 2007.
• McDonald, Forrest. The Presidency of Thomas Jefferson. University Press of Kansas, 1996.