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Chapter 2400 On the lotus flower born by fire

 Chapter 2402 Fire Grows Lotus (Part 2)

The Democratic-Republican Party was founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Their opposing party was the Federalist Party. The main members of the Federalist Party were John Adams and Alexander Hamilton, although Adams and Hamilton no longer cooperated much.

Compared with the Federalist Party, the Democratic-Republican Party emphasized the power of states more, which aroused opposition from some states when Hamilton proposed unifying federal currency and debt. They accused the Federalist Party of being a monarchy.

There is a gap between the planned and built capital, Washington. Anyone who goes there for the first time will feel that they have been cheated. It doesn't even look like a city. It is full of swamps, which is an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes.

There is no palace or palace here, and there are only a few repaired buildings. Members can only hold meetings in the unrepaired "corridor" of the Capitol. From time to time they will be interrupted by gunshots less than 100 yards away, and hunters are killing quail and wild turkeys.

.

Not to mention the Massachusetts congressmen, even foreign tourists find it unpleasant. The presidential residence and the Capitol are the only public buildings, which means there are no hotels here. It is muddy in winter and dusty in summer. Everywhere you look.

They are all cornfields. As for the Dayan Creek, which was renamed "Tiber River", it is really just a stream. It has neither clear water nor much water, and is full of frogs.

Why not choose New York, Philadelphia, or Boston instead of this place with no urban flavor?

There is no doubt that Jefferson was the first president to settle here, but the defeated Federalists repeatedly pointed out in newspapers that the narrow victory of the Democratic-Republicans was due to the disgraceful compromise between the Constitution and slavery.

As a result, an increase in the Electoral College was obtained. If there had been no slavery, mathematical calculations could determine that Adams and Pinckney would be in the lead. Adams would be re-elected president and Pinckney would be elected vice president.

On the day Jefferson was elected, John Adams signed a document overnight appointing several judges, including Supreme Court justices, known as the "Midnight Judges," including John Marshall.

He was considered a disciple of Jefferson, but he joined the Federalist Party because of the Jay Treaty. Later, he was favored by John Adams and became one of the judges of the Supreme Court. In 1797, he came to France and caused the xyz incident.

The news that Louis XVI was guillotined not only caused American stocks to fall. During the American Revolution, the United States declared war on Britain, so the United States signed an alliance treaty with France. After the founding of the French Republic, it sent a representative to the United States in the hope of continuing the alliance, but

Washington chose neutrality, and Hamilton directly said that the Treaty of Alliance was signed with Louis XVI. Now that Louis XVI is dead, the Treaty of Alliance is invalid.

Because of this incident, France seized an American merchant ship, and the United States sent people to resolve the matter. Then the xyz incident occurred. Jefferson was pro-French, but France's treatment of the United States naturally attracted ridicule from the Federalists.

Jay's Treaty restored the relationship between Britain and the United States, and the economic system designed by Hamilton based on tariffs and industrial and commercial taxes could be established. Therefore, severing relations with France was a necessary choice for the Federalists.

The problem Jefferson encountered now was not only the interests of the vast majority of farmers in the Republican Party. If he failed to acquire Louisiana, he would face the challenge of the Federalist Party, and congressional elections would be held soon. Massachusetts is not only a populous state, but also a state with a large population.

There are quite a few elite talents, John Adams Jr. is serving as the Senate in this state, and under their momentum, uncontrollable changes will occur.

But if Jefferson had succeeded in acquiring Louisiana, not only would there have been more territory and an increase in population, but the integration of the west would have given the country a new look, getting rid of the old impression of an "old colonial state" and becoming a more dynamic country.

,A Changing America.

From a long-term historical perspective, Jefferson's decision on Louisiana was wise, but Jefferson significantly reduced the army and navy.

The British also have troops stationed in Canada. Although both Britain and France make the United States uncomfortable, if they had to choose who is worse, most Americans would still say the British. It is easy to think of the reason. France does not have a king. The British king is for

Maintaining a huge navy, it not only collected taxes from the American colonies, but also seized ships and arrested people. After the signing of the Jay Treaty, many Americans felt that they were bullied by the British. The Mississippi River is an inland river of the United States, how could it be opened to British pirate ships?

What? The Spaniards refused to let the British pass because of the pass issue, and many Americans were happy to see it.

The U.S. Continental Army has about 12,000 regular troops. The U.S. does not force conscription like the U.K., which is done by the king. They can only recruit volunteers. Some volunteers are conscious, but these are relatively small. If more soldiers are recruited, incentives will be paid. Some people

He deliberately delayed his application until the bonus increased, and he left after a short period of time. Not only was military discipline lax, but his combat effectiveness was not much different from that of a militia composed of farmers. In comparison, the U.S. Navy's combat effectiveness was not bad, and it won several battles during its independence.

The British navy does not dare to be underestimated.

The first is that he felt that raising so many troops was a complete waste of taxpayers' money. The second was that Jefferson felt that the central government had too many troops that were too powerful. If the Whiskey Riots hadn't happened in the west to resist taxes, they would still be needed for suppression. Jefferson's disarmament was

What's more, those who held the guard of honor for him at his inauguration ceremony were all militiamen.

Therefore, Jefferson had to complete the Louisiana Purchase no matter what. He not only wanted to use this opportunity to make his position as president more stable, but also to allow the Republican Party to occupy more seats in Congress. This would not only help the bills enacted by Jefferson to be quickly approved.

, it is also related to his re-election.

But this is far from over. After so many years of expansion, they have also developed enemies with the Indians. Although there is no European support, the British garrison can find Indians to cooperate in fighting. There are many French people in Lower Canada, and they miss Bourbon.

The dynasty regarded Napoleon as a heinous usurper and firmly supported the British in fighting France. They would not cause trouble when the British fought against the enemy, and were even willing to cooperate in resisting the American army.

"Why do you have to make trouble in winter instead of when it's warmer?" asked Georgiana.

"I heard that General Victor can't go because of the ice in Amsterdam." Edgeworth pursed his lips. "And in this case, if you just go to him alone, without reinforcements, it will be of no use."

Georgiana shook her head.

"Have you read Montesquieu's On the Causes of the Decline and Fall of Rome?" Edgeworth said.

"I've seen it," Georgiana replied.

"The political system of Rome is very good. The good thing about it is that since its establishment, with the help of the spirit of the people, the power of the Senate and the prestige of certain officials, all abuses of power have been corrected. The reason why Carthage collapsed

Athens fell because even Hannibal would not allow it when it was most needed to stop abuses of power. Athens fell because the Athenians thought their faults were too trivial to correct. But Rome was built for constant expansion.

, In this regard, Roman law was excellent, but when some ambitious people introduced some cities, or even entire countries, into Rome to interfere with and manipulate elections, popular gatherings became out-and-out conspiracy sites, and the people's

Authority, law and even the people themselves have become illusory. The final fact we see is that those good laws have become a burden. Their role is to create a great country rather than to govern it. Montesquieu's final conclusion is

"Rome lost its freedom because it accomplished its cause prematurely." Edgeworth said, "Tell me what you think, Georgiana."

"Who do you think you are?" Georgiana sneered.

"You asked me to find someone to take care of that young lady. Have you asked her for her opinion?" Edgeworth asked, "Who do you think you are?"

"I am her teacher!" Georgiana said angrily.

Edgeworth laughed.

"What's so funny?" she complained.

"You look younger than her, how can you be her teacher?" Edgeworth said.

Georgiana wanted to argue with him, but she quickly calmed down.

"How much do you know about the Swedish iron smelting industry?" Georgiana asked.

"You're asking for my opinion?" Edgeworth asked.

She nodded.

"I heard that Sweden is good at forging wrought iron, and its toughness is even better than British wrought iron. During the Thirty Years' War, they had widely used rolling mills to make flat iron plates and heavy iron bars."

"Then can they produce ship locks? If they can produce rust-free ship locks, then they don't have to produce the chains used to bind slaves."

Edgeworth didn't answer.

She was quiet and waited for him to think. After a while, Edgeworth said, "There are many ways to prevent rust. It doesn't have to be steel. Where do you want to use it?"

"It doesn't matter whether it's sea water or fresh water. I heard that the mayor of New York is planning to build a canal."

"Speaking of New York, I remembered that New York seems to want to become a borough."

"Is this the mayor's idea?" Georgiana asked.

"Does this have anything to do with his true personal thoughts?"

She thought for a moment and then said, "Have you heard about the Salem Witch Trials?"

Edgeworth said nothing.

"If you don't want to stand in the dock and be accused, then you'd better stand in the accuser's seat and accuse someone else," Georgiana said. "Why do people believe those false stories?"

"You think I gave you false information?" Edgeworth said.

Georgiana sneered, "I didn't doubt you."

"Then what do you want to express?"

"Do you really believe in America?"

It was like the line read in the dark in the movie called The Godfather. It was a pity that Edgeworth had never seen it, otherwise she would still be able to discuss it with him.

She thought helplessly, then laughed to herself.
Chapter completed!
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