The Hamiltonian Vision, 1789-1800: The Art of American Power During the Early Republic
From 1789 to 1800, the Federalist and Republican parties held opposing visions for America’s future. Led by Alexander Hamilton, the Federalists sought to establish a strong central government that would lead an American commercial, financial, technological, industrial, and military revolution, and thus propel the United States into the ranks of the world’s great powers. Thomas Jefferson and the Republicans feared that new wealth, power, and competing interests would corrupt the classic republic they envisioned. Instead, they extolled the romantic notion of a republic of yeoman farmers, states’ rights, and frontiers defended by militias and gunboats, all presided over by a weak federal government.

Hamilton’s vision largely prevailed in battles with the Republicans over the Bank of the United States, the role and composition of the army and navy, the Whiskey Rebellion, the French Revolution, the Indian war in the Northwest Territory, British confiscations of American ships and sailors, the Jay and Pinckney treaties, and a “quasi” naval war with France, among other conflicts. But, ultimately, Jefferson and his Republican Party would triumph in the 1800 election and permanently eclipse the Federalists.

Historians and general readers alike will be riveted by William Nester’s portrayal of the struggle between Federalists and Republicans—a conflict whose core issues resonate in the divisive politics of today’s America.
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The Hamiltonian Vision, 1789-1800: The Art of American Power During the Early Republic
From 1789 to 1800, the Federalist and Republican parties held opposing visions for America’s future. Led by Alexander Hamilton, the Federalists sought to establish a strong central government that would lead an American commercial, financial, technological, industrial, and military revolution, and thus propel the United States into the ranks of the world’s great powers. Thomas Jefferson and the Republicans feared that new wealth, power, and competing interests would corrupt the classic republic they envisioned. Instead, they extolled the romantic notion of a republic of yeoman farmers, states’ rights, and frontiers defended by militias and gunboats, all presided over by a weak federal government.

Hamilton’s vision largely prevailed in battles with the Republicans over the Bank of the United States, the role and composition of the army and navy, the Whiskey Rebellion, the French Revolution, the Indian war in the Northwest Territory, British confiscations of American ships and sailors, the Jay and Pinckney treaties, and a “quasi” naval war with France, among other conflicts. But, ultimately, Jefferson and his Republican Party would triumph in the 1800 election and permanently eclipse the Federalists.

Historians and general readers alike will be riveted by William Nester’s portrayal of the struggle between Federalists and Republicans—a conflict whose core issues resonate in the divisive politics of today’s America.
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The Hamiltonian Vision, 1789-1800: The Art of American Power During the Early Republic

The Hamiltonian Vision, 1789-1800: The Art of American Power During the Early Republic

by William Nester
The Hamiltonian Vision, 1789-1800: The Art of American Power During the Early Republic

The Hamiltonian Vision, 1789-1800: The Art of American Power During the Early Republic

by William Nester

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Overview

From 1789 to 1800, the Federalist and Republican parties held opposing visions for America’s future. Led by Alexander Hamilton, the Federalists sought to establish a strong central government that would lead an American commercial, financial, technological, industrial, and military revolution, and thus propel the United States into the ranks of the world’s great powers. Thomas Jefferson and the Republicans feared that new wealth, power, and competing interests would corrupt the classic republic they envisioned. Instead, they extolled the romantic notion of a republic of yeoman farmers, states’ rights, and frontiers defended by militias and gunboats, all presided over by a weak federal government.

Hamilton’s vision largely prevailed in battles with the Republicans over the Bank of the United States, the role and composition of the army and navy, the Whiskey Rebellion, the French Revolution, the Indian war in the Northwest Territory, British confiscations of American ships and sailors, the Jay and Pinckney treaties, and a “quasi” naval war with France, among other conflicts. But, ultimately, Jefferson and his Republican Party would triumph in the 1800 election and permanently eclipse the Federalists.

Historians and general readers alike will be riveted by William Nester’s portrayal of the struggle between Federalists and Republicans—a conflict whose core issues resonate in the divisive politics of today’s America.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781597976756
Publisher: Potomac Books
Publication date: 06/01/2012
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 14.60(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author


William Nester is a professor in the Department of Government and Politics at St. John's University in New York City. He is the award-winning author of thirty-seven books on multiple dimensions of international relations, American national security, military history, and the nature of power. His "George Rogers Clark: I Glory in War" won the Army Historical Foundation's best biography award for 2013. His "Titan: The Art of British Power in the Age of Revolution and Napoleon" won the New York Military Affairs Symposium's 2016 Arthur Goodzett Book Award.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction: The Inauguration 1

Part 1 Washington, 1789-1793

1 The Father of His Country 9

2 Hamilton versus Jefferson 12

3 Nurturing American Power 17

4 Frontier War 26

5 British Intrigues 30

6 Spanish Stonewalling 38

7 America and the French Revolution 41

8 The Widening National Rift 44

Part 2 Washington, 1793-1797

9 The Second Term Team 51

10 The Genet Wild Card 53

11 British Aggression and Trade War 66

12 The Whiskey Rebellion 72

13 Winning the West 75

14 The Jay Treaty 81

15 The Pinckney Treaty 92

16 Fraying Ties with France 97

17 The Farewell Address 101

Part 3 Adams, 1797-1800

1 H John Adams and American Power 107

19 The XYZ Affair 112

20 Mustering for War 121

21 The War at Home 126

22 The Quasi-Alliance 131

23 The Fate of Saint-Domingue 135

24 Back Channels 138

25 The Quasi-War 144

26 British Depredations and American Honor 148

27 Settling Scores with France 151

28 The 1800 Election 156

Consequences: Hamiltonism and the Art of American Power 159

List of Abbreviations 165

Notes 169

Index 189

About the Author 193

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