Professor Allen C. Guelzo

In 1787, what Congress raised and supported was not much better than the Confederation’s version of an army and navy. Only after 1790, when Indians attacked the army regiments, did Congress vote to strengthen the forces. […]

James McHenry, Secretary of War, was responsible for setting up the American army. Despite political backstabbing, McHenry managed to bring about significant military changes. […]

The army and navy which Congress called into being in the 1790s were absurdly small. McHenry changed this when he announced that his priorities would be to “create a navy and always maintain a formidable army.” […]

Dwight followed an appeasing approach with the students, focusing on academics than on any social hierarchy. He understood that in a republic like America, wooing, not commanding, was the order of the day. […]

Whiskey Rebels’ connection to Democratic-Republican Society made Washington call militia. However, Findley promised Washington that laws would be obeyed in future, bringing an end to both the Whiskey Rebellion and the Democratic-Republican Societies. […]

Thomas Jefferson purchased New Orleans, and all of Louisiana province, from Napoleon. The British, eyeing the Mississippi River valley, reacted strongly, embroiling the American shipping trade in the feud. […]

While a few Federalists did warm to Jefferson’s charms, he was completely unprepared for all the rumors, scandals and mud-slinging that was soon to come his way. […]

In the spring of 1796, the anti-Jay’s Treaty members, now calling themselves Republicans, held their own caucus to  endorse candidates for the upcoming presidential election. […]

Thomas Jefferson did not believe in different parties. What he actually wanted was that the Federalists should be eliminated and everyone should become a Jeffersonian. He worked actively towards establishing republican principles and obliterating the Federalists. […]