The Federalist Era 1789-1801

The New American Nation Series

by John Chester Miller

With pace, clarity, judiciousness and a sense of balance, Miller recounts the story of the dramatic clash over fundamental issues that marked the Federalist administrations, the classic contest between Hamilton and Jefferson for dominance in Washington's administration, and between John Adams and the Hamiltonians when the New Englander succeeded to the Presidency. Miller makes it perfectly clear that the Federalists were maladroit politicians who failed to recognize the democratic roots of American society. One learns why the Federalists felt that the American experiment in free government had failed when Jefferson was elected, but, despite their shortsightedness, they had taken a parchment and turned it into an effective instrument of government.

Genres: History, American History, Nonfiction, Politics

304 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 1960

About the author

A specialist in the early history of the United States, John Chester Miller taught at Bryn Mawr from 1940 until 1950, and at Stanford University from 1950 until 1973, where he was the inaugural holder of the Edgar E. Robinson Professorship in United States History.

Reviews

[Mark Singer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standard issue history of the first decade of United States history under constitutional government. The only reason that I give it four stars instead of three is for the good bibliography.

[Richard Subber · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Federalist Era is a detailed and well-documented, candid assessment of the newly national conflict of the Federalists and the Jeffersonian Republicans (“democratic Republicans,” in the political shorthand of the earliest days of the United States of America).
Washington, Adams, Hamilton, Jefferson, and many other stalwarts among the Founders were up to their eyebrows in political intrigues, high-minded policies, and lowdown politics almost from the minute that Washington became the first man to assume the office of the presidency in 1789.
John Miller rather dispassionately tells this not so familiar background story of the administrations of President Washington and President Adams.
Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton and their adherents strove continuously to avoid going to war with Great Britain and with France. They struggled with arguments about paying off the new national debt. They clashed over domestic and international policies that were only partially successful in supporting the economic needs and desires of wealthy merchants, wealthy manufacturers, wealthy plantation owners, and not-so-wealthy but predominantly numerous farmers. They avidly engaged in mudslinging politicking. They kicked the slavery can down the road. They sold their votes and told a lot of lies.
Starting to sound familiar?

Read more of my book reviews and poems here:
www.richardsubber.com

[Nathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Though his facts are scrupulously analyzed and perfectly organized, Miller's dirt-dry prose makes understanding a tiresome chore. Entirely devoid of any style or human element, this is the sort of history that turns people off the subject.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Sean McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great account of this period of American history.

[Robert Clamme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. It speaks greatly to our current political situation. Many familiar arguments. Politics does not change much.

[Les Irvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the great scholars of early America...

[John Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book! Reading it caused me to consider changing my major to History. I'm not. ... Maybe.