The Triumphs and Pains of Creating a National Economy - Essay Example

The Triumphs and Pains of Creating a National Economy The Federalist Era began in 1789 with George Washington as the first president of the United States and John Adams as his vice president. They had with them the Articles of Confederation, the first governing document with which to preside over the country. Although it allowed for several possibilities making war, negotiating diplomatic agreements, resolving issues regarding western territories, printing and borrowing money inside and outside the US, 1 it was unable to address the more serious challenges lacked taxing authority, and state and federal governments were unable to deal with all the issues at hand. It was time for national leaders to frame what would be known as the constitution. In 1781, the delegation at Philadelphia produced the first draft of the document that met with mixed responses. The Constitution gave the country a framework to fall back on. Yet there were a lot more that needed to be plugged in. A judicial system did not exist and laws could not be framed. During 1789 to 1797, the Congress fleshed out the constitution, giving it the much-needed legal, bureaucratic, and military machinery.2 With the Judiciary Act of 1789, there emerged courts in each state and set the supremacy of the Supreme court. The constitution was backed by the cabinet and the important posts that were part of it Secretary of State, of treasury and Attorney General to mention a few. Along with the boundaries that the constitution set for the people, came freedom in the form of the Bill of Rights. The bill guaranteed essential liberties that could not be done away with. Through these years, the conflict between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists only grew larger. Parties were formed and stirred political awareness among citizens. The Federalists called for a strong central government. They represented the industrial and manufacturing interests, which were concentrated in the Northeast. The Republicans advocated powerful state governments over centralized power, and represented the more rural and agrarian South, as well as the Western frontier.3 The government's ability to rule its people was seen in the case of the Whiskey Rebellion. The U.S.' attempts to expand westward also created an upheaval but with the Treaty of Greenville, three new states were added along with the Ohio territory. In 1793, the U.S. had to choose between Britain, Spain and France. Washington however took the neutral way out with the Proclamation of American Neutrality. Jeffersonian Democracy: The conflict between the federalists and anti-federalists went from bad to worse and finally in 1800, the anti-federalists had their representative in the post of president - Thomas Jefferson. Washington had tried to lead the nation to greatness with the federal government. Jefferson intended to rescue the same nation from policies that had endangered its experiment in popular self-governance and had undermined the constitutional and social groundwork of a sound republican regime, from leaders whose commitment to democracy itself had seemed uncertain.4 The Jeffersonian democracy laid out political goals for the United States and reigned over American politics for two decades, 1800 - 1820s. Thomas Jefferson's objectives for the country focused on the West. The spotlight was on the Yeoman farmers, who were the epitome of republican virtue and independence as compared to financiers and industrialists who were the pits of corruption. Soon after, in the years that followed, several anti-federalists were seen to join the Jeffersonian camp as well. The freedom of speech and freedom of the press were pedestalized and the anti-federalists believed that this was the only way in which to ensure that the government would not turn against its people. Violation of the rights of individuals and states were a serious offence and the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions of 1789, that were secretly written by Jefferson and Madison publicized these principles. Despite this, this presidency witnessed an increase in the number of political parties and divisions. Jefferson also goes down in history for being able to face the Barbary pirates. Jefferson embroiled the nation in war without congressional assent in an attempt to reduce the public debt and budget. This early action by a President set a historical precedent for future Presidents. He also bought Louisiana from France, and his attempts to remain neutral in the war between France and Britain were well received. National Growing Pains: After the era of Jeffersonian democracy, came the rule of Madison as president. Similar affairs faced him as well. The clash between the French and the British seemed to continue and this time it was over American shipping. In 1812, Madison was worrying about Napoleon's Continental System. The Continental System was a great foreign-policy in Napoleon's struggle against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland during the Napoleonic Wars. While trying to convince Britain towards trading with the United States again, Napoleon was playing a double game. He was also playing the United States against England, driving them to wage war against Great Britain. War was becoming a much loved past time. In 1811, the Battle of Tippecanoe was fought between the United States of the Indiana Territory and the forces of the fast-growing American Indian confederation. The resistance in the Ohio valley had been subdued. Soon after, the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain followed. Fought for various reasons angered by the seizure of American sailors, restraints on trade with Britain, British support for hostile Indians, the war continued till 1815 and was a shoddy attempt on both sides. In a few years, Britain and the United States were more at peace with each other and this time in American history came to be known as the Era of Good Feelings. President James Monroe then stated the Monroe Doctrine in 1823 which proclaimed that Europe will not colonize or hamper with affairs of America, while America would stay neutral in all European wars. Toward a National Economy: The times were changing. Soon, America would no longer depend on England for their manufactured goods. The country was heading towards self-sufficiency and America's economy was making inroads into various industries. America was beginning its own industrial revolution. Manufacturing teamed with management was a lethal combination and companies like the Boston Manufacturing Company were pioneers in the area. A conglomeration of factors were going well for the United States enhanced technology, cheap and easily available labor, emerging markets, advantageous regulations and unlimited raw material. This entire process was supported by cutting edge inventions the steam engine, the spinning machine, water-power mechanisms, cotton gin and most importantly a boom in the way transportation was literally, moving. A redefined workforce and an intrigued customer base had led towards a better and sturdier national economy. References 1. Articles of Confederation. 3rd April, 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articles_of_Confederation. 2. U.S. History Resources. Feldmeth, Greg D. 3rd April, 2007. http://home.earthlink.net/gfeldmeth/USHistory.html 3. Jeffersonian Democracy. 3rd April, 2007. http://www.answers.com/topic/jeffersonian-democracy Read More