Events in U.S.A History in 1799 - Research Paper Example

1799 events in U.S.A History American history owes a lot of credit to the life of President George Washington. This is from the President’s evident work during the ancient times of political instability. For instance, United States of America received its independence from the colonial masters following the civil struggled by President George Washington. Major amendments to the American constitution took place during his reign (Henriques 148). Largely, the American society recorded great changes in its political history following the ascension and death of President George Washington. Many historical facts in American society developed from contribution of renowned personalities in the society. Politics and war are inseparable, in many cases, they would influence the out come of events in the society. The political system adopted by the society in a particular period would influence the outcome of events in the society. For instance, the quest for independence by the American late president George Washington changed the political history of the nation. Social lifestyle of people in the society would change when different politicians ascend to power. Social changes brought by a politician in office would influence the lives of the people in the society. This paper intends to explore the effects of death president George Washington in 1799. Many historical publications through books and articles provide information regarding many reputed political figures that brought social or economic changes in the society. Demise of such political personalities may lead the country into instability. The death of President George Washington brought many changes to the political and social systems in America. Death of George Washington influenced the political system of United States of America. Although he was thought to achieve amicably in many of his policies, some of the changes instigated by his successors impacted political state of the country positively. For instance, Washington did not like formation of many political parties and promoted federal ideology while he was a live (McMaster 326). His death was a blessing to the Militia Legion, which was against his federal system of governance. The Militia Legion believed that, the presence of George Washington promoted federal policies. History records that the Militia Legion honored a partisan governor of Pennsylvania, Thomas McKean (Koschnik 237). Militia Legion acted contrary to the expectation of many people. The Republican wing followed national mourning script. Another notable event that took place when George Washington died is joint mourning program that was led by Republican militia companies. His death led to the abortion of slavery as he had started in his will. The will indicated the intention of George Washington to abolish slavery and promote equality among the American people. Historian believes that the death of George Washington influenced the reaction of United States to Quasi War. The decision made by United States to engage in Quasi War was contrary to the wishes of President George Washington. George Washington influenced the neutral position that American took in handling the issues European conflicts (Grizzard 111). It is important to note that the European conflict had an impact to United States politically and economically. The economical ties between United States of America and the western countries relied on peaceful coexistence among the countries. This major factor influenced the decision of President George Washington. Political events, which took place after his death, respected many political decisions that he made while he was a live. For instance, federal governance system did not collapse. This led to disagreement between the two warring faction which later jeopardized the unity of United States of America. Unity of the nation was very crucial because it marked the end of tyrannical British regime. Another crucial area that is worth noting is role of unity in passing of the sedition act. Political inclination influenced the voting pattern in the House of Representatives. Politicians who backed federal ideologies voted for the act. On the other wing, ant federalists rejected the bill (Irving 354). These social changes influenced the lifestyle of a common person. For example, abortion of slavery according to the will of George Washington was a dawn of new era in America. Slavery promotes inequality in the society. Opposition in Federal Party grew following the death of President George Washington (Henriques 145). The Federal Party split in two groups, one group supported Hamilton and the other group supported President John Adams. History records the division that emerged among republican governors over the mourning procedure of the founding father. Some republicans opposed the federalist ideas, which George promoted while he was a live. The protest and division of the Republican political wing posed a political impasse in United States. The protest later influenced the voting pattern in the House of Representatives. This had an influence in policies that the country enacted. Historians believe that rejection of a bill by a single vote may lead to rejection of the bill. The Quasi War fought by America between 1798- 1800 led to the signing of the Mortefontaine Treaty (Clipson & Craig 24). American history indicates that the French war ships and privateers conducted several attacks on American ships prior to the war. The American naval department decided to hit back by waging war with the French soldiers. Historians argue that the Jay treaty signed by Great Britain and United States of America in 1794 was one of the causes of Quasi War. Jay treaty was a commercial agreement between United States and Great Britain (Harrington 145). It defined the commercial relationship between the two nations. On the contrary, the French viewed the treaty as a violation of Alliance Treaty signed in 1778. The Alliance Treaty described the importance of independence of United States of America. America was to play a neutral role in the conflict between French and Great Britain. Notably, French soldiers started capturing and seizing American commercial ships after the signing of the Jay treaty. Historians claim that during the Quasi War America only lost one soldier. French war ship captured American ship in 1798. This was a great achievement to the people of America. The American and French war ships fought in the sea. Quasi War had a political and economical impact in American history. President George Washington did not want Americans to engage in European conflict. Political figures such as Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton maintained the quest for peaceful negotiation instead of war (Daughan 340). The war threatened the unity of the Republican Party. Some political members of Republican Party supported the interest of the French others supported Great Britain. This division in political interest was tricky for President John Adams. He had to strike a balance between the two warring sides. France foreign minister rejected a delegation sent by President John Adams to negotiate about the Quasi War. The delegation failed to achieve its mission in France. The rejection of the delegation to France led to a diplomatic row between the two countries. The Americans felt intimidated by the French action. America decided to suspend any commercial dealing with the French following the rejection of American delegation to France. Political divisions emerged following the Quasi War. Historians contend that some politicians backed the French while others backed the Great Britain (Bradford 632). The two sides of political inclination influenced many decision made by America during that period. For instance, federalists favored the interest of Great Britain while Republicans favored the French (Bradford 640). Some historians argue that the decision the division in political inclination polarized the American politics. The importance of President George washing was evident at this time because of his wise choices. He knew that United States involvement in European conflicts would affect of the political and economic spheres of the country. Notably, President John Adams was able to contain the political impasse that the Federal party suffered. John Fries rebellion erupted due to the vote passed by the congress over taxation (Turner Publishing Co 17). The Congress directed that the slaves, landowners, and house dwellers were to levy the tax in 1798. The intention of the taxation was to raise money for the Quasi War. John Fries organized a rebellion, in February 1799, which aimed to block the government assessors from assessing property. The rebellion started in Pennsylvania and spread to other states in America. Militia groups, which rejected the taxation bill, arrested government assessors before releasing them. The rebellion led to the arrest of John Fries and other people who participated in the war. The rebellion led to the rejection of Federalist Party by the German American communities. President John Adams pardoned John Fries and his allies in 1800 (Newman 110). Historians believe that the rebellion was a set back to the Federalist Party since it led to the rejection of the party by German Americans. Position adopted by a particular group in United States political history is very crucial in determining the next politician in office. The 1799 Logan Act is a federal policy, which inhibits unauthorized American citizens from negotiating political, economical, or social issues with foreign governments. United States enacted Logan Act as a move to block Republicans and federalist politicians from negotiating any foreign policy on behalf of the government (Seitzinger CRS-2). Violation of the Logan Act leads to a penalty of three years imprisonment. Logan Act influenced the political interest of various politicians in America. Historian believe that the passing of the act during the Quasi War influenced the position that politicians took in supporting the government move to reject ties with France. It is important to note that some politicians had shown open support for France. President John Adams believed that the Logan act could diffuse the political division that United States experienced during the Quasi War. Historians believe that the President John Adams did not win presidential reelection because of his political actions. In summary, the death of President George Washington in 1799 was a major lose to the United States of America because of the vital role that President George played in history. Ant federalist staged a celebration to mark the death of President George Washington. The death of George Washington led to political changes in American history. Quasi War took place between United States of America and France in 1798-1800. The signing of Mortefontaine Treaty marked the end of the Quasi War. America lost one naval soldier during the war. Quasi War resulted into a diplomatic row between United States and France. The row led to rejection of American delegation to France and subsequent abolition of economic dealing with France. The economic impact of Quasi War led to passing of the taxation bill, which sought to raise funds for the war. John Fries led the people to reject the taxation bill. John Fries rebellion influenced the political inclination of the German Americans. Logan Act influenced political negotiation with foreign governments. Work Cited Bradford, C. James. A companion to American military history, Volume 1. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons. 2010. 632-650. Print. Clipson, J. William & Symonds, L. Craig. The Naval Institute historical atlas of the U.S. Navy. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. 2001. 23-30. Print. Daughan, C. George. If by sea: the forging of the American Navy-- from the American Revolution to the War of 1812. New York: Basic Books. 2008. 340-347. Print. Grizzard, E. Frank. George Washington: a biographical companion. California: ABC-CLIO, 2002. 110-116. Print. Harrington, P. Matthew. Jay and Ellsworth, the first courts: justices, rulings and legacy. California: ABC-CLIO, 2008. 144-162. Print. Henriques, Peter. Realistic Visionary: A Portrait of George Washington. Virginia: University of Virginia Press, 2008. 144-150. Print. Irving, Washington. The Life of George Washington, Volume 4. New. York: Cosimo, Inc., 2005. 354-358. Print. Koschnik, Albrecht. "Let a common interest bind us together": associations, partisanship, and ... University of Virginia Press, 2007. 237-256. Print. McMaster, B. John. A History of the People of the United States: From the Revolution to the Civil War. New York: Cosimo, Inc., 2006. 325-336. Print. Newman, D. Paul. Fries's Rebellion: the enduring struggle for the American Revolution. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2004. 110-119. Print. Seitzinger, V. Michael. Conducting Foreign Relations Without Authority: The Logan Act. Pennsylvania: DIANE Publishing, 2011. CRS-2- CRS-6. Print. Turner Publishing Co. Retired U.S. Marshals Association millennium history.  Nashville: Turner Publishing Company. 2001. 16-28. Print. Anti federalist staged their notion, which sought to abolish federal government system (Irving 352). Read More