On April 30, 1789, George Washington’s inauguration in New York City marked the commencement of the US Presidency under the new Constitution. His attire of plain American cloth and his choice to represent liberty on the nation’s coins rather than his image, the authors argue, underscored The Evolving Concept of American Freedom. Washington’s speech stressed the critical nature of the American experiment in self-governance, linking the nation’s destiny directly to the principles of liberty and republican governance. This era also saw the reluctant birth of political parties, which the authors note marked a significant era in American politics.

Politics in an Age of Passion

The authors explain that Washington’s term saw the rise of significant political divisions, primarily through Alexander Hamilton’s financial plans that intended to stabilize the new nation’s economy but instead highlighted ideological divides. These plans included debt assumption and the establishment of a national bank, sparking fears among figures like Jefferson and Madison, who believed these favored the wealthy and endangered republican values. The Significance of Diverse Groups in America, the authors argue, were pivotal as disagreements over these economic policies led to the formalization of political parties—Federalists and Republicans—each embodying differing visions of America’s future.

The Adams Presidency

John Adams’s presidency, the authors demonstrate, was marred by the Alien and Sedition Acts, which suppressed dissent and curtailed the freedoms of foreign-born residents.