The Federalist Era 1789-1801

The New American Nation Series

by John Chester Miller

The shaping of the United States government and political system by factions led by Hamilton and Jefferson

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]

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]

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]

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]

Excellent.

[Sean McGowan]

Great account of this period of American history.

[Robert Clamme]

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

[Les Irvin]

One of the great scholars of early America...

[John Ellis]

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