Both federalists presidents, George Washington and John Adams demonstrated a great extent of promoting Unity of the Nation and the authority of the federal government throughout the time period of 1789-1798 by enforcing new laws, having control of the miltras. After the American Revolution in 1783, although the United States of America was formed, many states remained divided and believing they are better than one another. Thus lead to the form of the Constitution and the formation of the Federal government. This frighten many citizens like Thomas Jefferson, an Anti Federalists, because the idea of central government might turn their way of government back to a monarchy. When Washington gave his first Inaugural address in 1790, his purpose …show more content…
As government began to gain more power and authority they began to start violating the citizens very own rights in order to gain more power. The Alien and Sedition act explained that no one can criticize the government which completely go against the 1st amendment of the bill of rights of free speech and press. This violation goes back to the John Peter Zenger’s trial during the colonial period, where the British violated the colonists rights. The citizens,intended audiences, is shocked by this because, after they have separated from the oppressing British, they are once again having their rights being violated. This led the citizens to believe that the federal government have too much power. ( document G) This led to many debates and cause hatred to the federal government. This led to the state of Kentucky to draft the Kentucky resolutions to say that the Alien and Sedition act to be unconstitutional. The purpose of the Kentucky resolution was basically to express the hatred towards the federalists and also to protest against the Sedition act. They believe it go against the 1st amendment, thus citizens do not have to follow because it goes against our rights. From the Kentucky resolutions, it allows one to tell that the Federal government is starting to obtain too much power and they will have to start to contain it. (document H) A great source that would be able to support this statement would be the XYZ affair because it will show how much power Adams have and how he was unwilling to compromise with the French without even informing Congress or the house of representatives or the Senate