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Lecture Notes on “Dawn of the 19th Century”
George Washington’s Final Days and Legacy
• Washington spent time riding horseback at Mount Vernon, exposed to
cold.
• Developed throat pain, leading to his death on Dec 14th.
• Final words: “’Tis well,” passing the torch to a new generation.
• Question of whether U.S. welfare would continue post-Washington.
Transition to a New Era
• John Adams narrowly defeated Thomas Jefferson in 1796, becoming the
2nd president.
• Foreign tensions: British and French conflict impacts U.S.
• Washington declared U.S. neutrality, upsetting France.
The XYZ Affair
• French privateers attacked American ships (1796-1797).
• U.S. envoys to Paris were asked for a bribe, causing American outrage.
• XYZ Affair led to the Quasi-War with France and U.S. naval
empowerment.
Alien and Sedition Acts
• Alien Act allowed deportation of foreigners deemed threats.
• Sedition Act restricted publication of anti-government writings.
• Acts infringed on civil liberties and were controversial.
1800 Election and Peaceful Power Transition
• Jefferson wins presidency in 1800, marking peaceful party transition.
• Democratic-Republicans criticized Federalists’ strong central
government.
• Notable peaceful transition set a precedent for U.S. politics.
Lecture Notes on “Dawn of the 19th Century”
George Washington’s Final Days and Legacy
• Washington spent time riding horseback at Mount Vernon, exposed to
cold.
• Developed throat pain, leading to his death on Dec 14th.
• Final words: “’Tis well,” passing the torch to a new generation.
• Question of whether U.S. welfare would continue post-Washington.
Transition to a New Era
• John Adams narrowly defeated Thomas Jefferson in 1796, becoming the
2nd president.
• Foreign tensions: British and French conflict impacts U.S.
• Washington declared U.S. neutrality, upsetting France.
The XYZ Affair
• French privateers attacked American ships (1796-1797).
• U.S. envoys to Paris were asked for a bribe, causing American outrage.
• XYZ Affair led to the Quasi-War with France and U.S. naval
empowerment.
Alien and Sedition Acts
• Alien Act allowed deportation of foreigners deemed threats.
• Sedition Act restricted publication of anti-government writings.
• Acts infringed on civil liberties and were controversial.
1800 Election and Peaceful Power Transition
• Jefferson wins presidency in 1800, marking peaceful party transition.
• Democratic-Republicans criticized Federalists’ strong central
government.
• Notable peaceful transition set a precedent for U.S. politics.
