Early Republic Summary

George Washington (1732-1799) is the first President of the United States. Washington, as Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804), have played an important role during the Independence War and thus, greatly contributed to the victory of the United States during this War. Both, Washington and Hamilton, are considering as ones of the « Fathers of the Nation ».

After being the first Vice President of the United States during the term of Washington, John Adams (1735-1826) became in 1797, the Second President of the United States. As Whashington and Hamilton he played a crucial role during the Independence War and as a representative of the Continental Congress in Europe. Early during the administration of John Adams, a political and diplomatic episode involving France and America happened : the XYZ Affair. This episode concludes to the undeclared naval War called the « Quasi-War » (1797-1800).

In 1798, after the Congress Federalists voted, John Adams confirms the Alien and Sediction Acts which give power to banish and punish any person who disciminates the US government or represents a danger for the Nation. In response to those Acts, resolutions were passed by the legislatures of Kentucky and Virginia in 1798. The resolutions highlighted the fact that Federal Government has no capacity to exercise too much power.

Few years later, in 1803, takes place the Marbury V Madison Supreme Court which makes the Supreme Court the first constitutional court of history and from this moment, President does not have too much power, we assist to the rebalance of the three branches. Among those who authorized the resolutions of 1798, we find Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was elected third President of the United States of America during the Election of 1800. This election marks a political turning point in the History of the United