Americans' search for national identity and unity was brought about by uncertainties. Before the Philadelphia Convention in 1787, Americans were able to set aside their differences in order to preserve national unity. Independence Day celebrations were but one of the many commemorative rituals that helped promote unity of all Americans.
Appeals to unity however seemed to have little effect as politicians created more divisions by airing their grievances in state assemblies, electioneering speeches reminded the separation between the rulers and the ruled and so on and so forth. The post colonial unity seemed to be threatened.
Steps taken to revive the economy due to severe trade crisis in 1780s caused further social and political divisions. In Massachusetts, farmers rebelled under the leadership of Daniel Shays against Boston authorities.
Between 1794 and 1800 two partisan “nationalisms” were formed. These were the Federalists led by Hamilton and Democratic-Republicans led by Jefferson. These parties were formed locally but were international in orientation.
In the period 1794 to 1800, Americans formed identities based largely on their partisan loyalties rather than attachment to national institutions. The primary basis were the parties and the ideologies supported by these parties. The American image was often identified with either one of the party such as Americans and Federalists or the Americans and the Republicans. Postcolonial American identity was shaped largely by partisan loyalties and affiliations.
The conflict between Federalists and Democratic Republicans after 1790 changed the American political landscape, culture and their identity as a whole. When Jefferson rose to power in 1801, he proceeded to pay off national debt, reduced army and navy, suspended all internal taxes and the controlled the federal judiciary.
When Britain was threatened with war in 1794, Washington sent John Jay to negotiate a treaty with Britain, in what was later known as Jay treaty. The treaty was signed in 1794 and took effect 1795. It prevented war to erupt between US and Britain. Jeffersonians opposed the treaty saying it was a sell-out to Britain. They protested what appeared to be a challenge to republicanism and questioned the influence of British and Federalist allies.
Federalists defended the Jay treaty as a way to prevent war, lessen the Indian threat, established positive trade relations with the economic power and ended disputes that stemmed from the Revolutionary War.
The ensuing debates on Jay Treaty between 1794-96 encouraged nationalism in politics and unified Congress into a nationwide party. To oppose the treaty Jeffersonians mobilized leaders and party mates from states, counties and towns. When Jefferson became president in 1801, he abided by the treaty.
Jeffersonians believed that trading with America was so important that declaring an economic embargo would cause great powers to respect Americans without resorting to war. This policy was put to test when United States had to declare war on Britain in the War of 1812.
The War of 1812 is also known as “Madison's war” named after the US President who prosecuted it. The war was waged because USA wanted to seize Canada while Britain was busy fighting Napoleon in Europe. The Americans failed in this attempt. This formed part of Secretary of State Monroe's policy to expand in the west in what was later called the "manifest destiny".
The role of the Supreme Court in strengthening national institutions was particularly evident when Jefferson rose to power. The incumbent Adams made last minute appointments particularly his ally Federalist John Marshall as Chief Justice which he held for thirty years. Marshall used his authority to federalize the constitution which Jefferson did not find favorable to the Republicans policies at all. After his first year as President, Jefferson complained “the Federalists have retired into the judiciary as a stronghold. There the remains of federalism are to be preserved… and from that battery all the works of republicanism are to be beaten down and erased”.
