In 1789, George Washington became the 1st president of todays United States. He was also the 1st president under the Constitution. George Washington and the Federalists had a strong belief in this political philosophy, where the national government would have enough power in order to be respected and also feared in the U.S. With respect and fear came order. At first, this philosophy was a success, until the interference of the Democratic Republicans and Thomas Jefferson. This group feared the consolidation of central power, which would be at the expense of the states and the people. This group also believed in the revolutionary ideas of a limited government. The Constitution provided a map out, a guide almost, for the republic, but the administration of George Washington would use it in their own advantage and translate it into a working state.
John Adams was elected president in 1796. An international crisis between the French and the U.S. was already in effect when Adams arrived in office. If Thomas Jefferson wasn't to be president in 1797, then the French would cut off all relations with the U.S. and threaten to overthrow the conservative government of the U.S. Chaos and corrupt actions followed, which led to the XYZ Affair. Adams and Congress had to prepare for war; meanwhile the French seized American ships. This added on to the threats and actions the French had already made and took. This crisis in the U.S. led Congress to take action. These actions involved a direct federal tax for the military's expenses. Also, the Sedition and Alien Acts were passed during this time. Three of the four laws were directed towards the immigrants that came to the U.S., while the other law was towards the negative feedback of others about the U.S. and their government. Plans and decisions of wartime measures were made without the permission of Adams, which made him very irritated with Congress. Adams then damaged any chance he had of reelection by opening up negotiations with France in 1800.