I need help with history. Describing the Challenges of the Washington and Adams Administrations

After the Federalists won the debate and ratified the Constitution, they faced two challenges. One was to find ways to govern the nation while smoothing over Anti-Federalist resistance to the centralized federal government. At the same time they had to govern according to the Constitution and their own principles. Describe in two to three sentences in the tables below the challenges that the Washington and Adams administrations faced because of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist conflict. Explain how they overcame or did not overcome those challenges.

Refer to the following websites or look for your own sources. You can also go back and refer to the lessons in this unit for additional help.

George Washington (1789–1797)

Issue Washington administration’s response to challenge

Anti-Federalist belief in the need for a bill of rights Washington agreed to sign the Bill of Rights (amendments 1 through 10) into law even though Federalists did not think it was necessary. He agreed to do so to get Anti-Federalists to ratify the Constitution. When he put down the Whiskey Rebellion, the rebels felt that he violated their rights as spelled out in the Bill of Rights.

Anti-Federalist belief in the importance of state sovereignty

Anti-Federalist fear that the president would have too much power

Anti-Federalist fear that a strong federal government would become corrupt

Anti-Federalist resistance to undue taxation

John Adams (1797–1801)

Issue Adams administration’s response to challenge

Anti-Federalist belief in the need for a bill of rights When Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, many people thought they violated the Bill of Rights. They saw the acts as a power grab by Federalists.

Anti-Federalist belief in the importance of state sovereignty

Anti-Federalist fear that the president would have too much power

Anti-Federalist fear that a strong federal government would become corrupt

Anti-Federalist resistance to undue taxation