Washington: The First PresidentWhat important traditions, tensions and precedents did he set during his administration?

Vocab to Know by end of class:

1. Cabinet: These are the president’s closest advisors. They are also the heads of the executive departments.

2. Domestic problems: domestic refers to inside the country

3. Foreign problems: dealing with other nations

4. Precedent: An act or instance that may be used as an example in dealing with subsequent similar instances.

The First President

President George Washington

VP: John Adams Only president

who got all the electoral college votes.

Insert fun George facts here from my binder….

George Washington says… "As the first of

everything in our situation will serve to establish a precedent," Washington wrote James Madison at this time, "it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles."

At every turn, Washington was aware that the conduct of his presidency would set the standard for generations to come.

The Inauguration…Federal Hall, New YorkApril 30, 1789

Congress starts work!

Congressional Decisions Washington is smart enough to stay

out of Congress’s business, though… 1st argue over what to call him = “Mr.

President” 2nd question how to set up Supreme

Court (very vague in Constitution)▪ Federal Judiciary Act of 1789 said

that the Supreme Court was made up of 6 justices including one Supreme Court Chief Justice

▪ John Jay was the Chief Justice - head of the Supreme Court

The Court System is set up!

The Judiciary Act of 1789 The Supreme Court would have six

justices. Under the Supreme Court would be 3

circuit courts and 13 district courts The main job of the federal courts was to

hear appeals from the state courts

The Executive Branch

When Washington first took office, the Executive Branch was only made up of 75 post offices, a few clerks, and an army of 672 soldiers.

Executive Branch

Congress passed laws to set up 3 new departments for the Executive Branch: Treasury State War (This was later

renamed the Dept. of Defense. Why do you think that was?)

The Executive Branch

Each of the new departments would be headed by a secretary nominated by the President. Together they would be called the cabinet.

The President would also appoint an Attorney General to advise him on legal issues.

Washington’s Cabinet included… His VP, John Adams was part of the Cabinet Washington appointed the following well known

men to be heads of the new executive departments Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of the Treasury

▪ Was in charge of economic issues Thomas Jefferson – Secretary of State

▪ Was in charge of relationships with foreign countries Henry Knox – Secretary of War

▪ Was in charge of the army Edmund Randolph – Attorney General Was in charge of advising Washington on legal issues.

Ben Franklin– Postmaster General▪ Was in charge of the new US Post Office

Today you will play the role of the first American cabinet and…

Advise George Washington on how to deal with these foreign and domestic problems.

IN your groups decide who will play each role: Vice President – makes sure decisions are in

line with powers given to the executive branch Jefferson – Secretary of State – expert on

foreign issues Hamilton – Sec. of Treasury – expert on money Knox – Sec. of War Attorney General – Expert on Law

Washington faced a variety of domestic and foreign issues.

He knew his reactions would set precedents for all of the presidents to follow.

Domestic Problems (Inside the country) included… Debt from the war Native American attacks Rebellious farmers Political factions (parties) developing

Foreign Problems included: French wanting us to help them win their revolution British stealing American men off their ships Spain not wanting to let the US use the port of New

Orleans

You will be given a set of problems

VP Reads problem to the cabinetCabinet discusses possible optionsWrite solutions down on chartAppoint one cabinet member to

share decision with the President.President will decide how to act

based on the recommendations.

Domestic 1 - Economic Crisis

The American Revolution left America in a lot of debt.

The federal government owed $52 million

Debt owed to soldiers, France and Spain

Both Americans and foreigners had invested in the war.

States were in debt too and wanted the government to take over the debt.

No one wanted to be taxed, though…

Economic Crisis – War Debt

Read Domestic Issue #1 and Be prepared to present your solution.

There was also a dispute on if the federal government should pay back state debts.

The government was operating on next to nothing. Washington had to pay for his own move

to New York (New York was the capital at the time).

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

As Secretary of the Treasury, it was Alexander Hamilton’s job to solve the financial problem.

Alexander Hamilton’s Views and Proposals Hamilton’s Political

Views Strong central

government (national over states)

Encourage business and industry and that would lead to success for the country.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

Hamilton’s program had 3 parts: The U.S. government would

▪ Agree to pay all federal and state debts.▪ Charter a national bank for depositing

government funds.▪ Impose a high tax on goods imported into the

country.

Paying the Debt

Hamilton knew that it would be a huge burden for the U.S. to pay off the debt.

It was important, however, that they pay it to prove to Americans and other countries that the U.S. would honor its debts in full.

If the U.S. paid its debts then people would be more likely to invest again in the future.

Paying the Debt

Southerners were against paying off state debt because most southern states had already paid their debt off.

A compromise was reached. The South would agree to the

government paying off state debt if the capital of the U.S. was moved to the South.▪ Capital moved to Washington

D.C.

A National Bank

A national bank would provide a safe place for the government to place its funds.

It would also be able to print a paper money that would serve as the nation’s currency.

Opponents to the bank said the law was unconstitutional. Jefferson was a big opponent to the

bank.

A National Bank

There are two ways to look at the Constitution: A “Strict” interpretation says that the Constitution

permits only what it specifically says.▪ Jefferson’s point of view

A “Loose” interpretation says that there are things not permitted by the Constitution that Congress could do.▪ Article 1, Section 8: Congress has the power to

make all laws “necessary and proper” for fulfilling it’s duties.

▪ Hamilton’s point of view.

A National Bank

Huge debate between Hamilton and Jefferson Hamilton uses elastic clause to get

Washington’s support of National Bank. Washington backed Hamilton’s ideas and the

bank was established in 1791. Washington tried to keep the peace between

Hamilton and Jefferson, but the beginnings of political parties were forming!

A High Tariff

A high tariff would raise money for the federal government.

It would also protect foreign manufactures from foreign competition by making imported goods more expensive.

The tariff was the only part of Hamilton’s plan that Congress did not pass. Southern states said that the tariff would only

help Northern states and make goods to expensive for Southern states to buy.

Domestic #2: Whiskey Rebellion

What should George do about farmers rebellion about a Whiskey tax in Pennsylvania?

Whiskey Rebellion

In 1791, Congress passed a tax on all whiskey made and sold in the U.S.

Hamilton hoped that this tax would raise money for the Treasury.

Instead, it led to a revolt.

Whiskey Rebellion

Many farmers made extra money by selling whiskey and bitterly resented the tax.

Farmers compared the tax to the British taxes from before the Revolution.

Farmers began to organize protests and refused to pay the tax.

In Pennsylvania, farmers burned down the home of a tax collector.

Farmers started to riot in Pittsburgh.

Whiskey Rebellion - Solution

Washington responded by sending 13,000 troops to Pennsylvania.

The rebels quickly scattered when they heard troops were coming.

Washington’s quick and forceful response showed Americans that armed rebellion was not acceptable in the new republic.

Foreign AffairsForeign Affairs refers to our interactions with other countries.

Foreign One: Conflicts in the Northwest Territory

The Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary war and said that Britain would leave the area known as the Northwest Territory. A decade later Britain not only was still in the

area, but was supplying Native American’s with guns to fight the American settlers.

Native American’s were fighting to keep their land in the Northwest Territory and refused to sell their land north of the Ohio River.

Conflicts in the Northwest Territory - Solution

In 1790, Washington sent a small force to end the Native American attacks on settlers. The soldiers were defeated.

The next year Washington sent a larger force which was again defeated.

Next General Anthony Wayne led forces against the Native Americans.

Wayne won a major victory over the Native Americans in the Battle of Fallen Timbers.

In the Treaty of Greenville, leaders of the Native American nations gave up most of their lands from the Ohio River to Lake Erie.

Foreign #2: The French Revolution

Should American help their old war allies the French as their own people begin to revolt?

The French Revolution

The French Revolution started in 1789 and at first was supported by most Americans.

The French Revolution then became more controversial in the U.S. It became very violent (Reign of

Terror) During this time France and Britain

were at war.

The French Revolution

The U.S. wanted to trade with both sides.

However, both sides were afraid that this would help the other side too much and began to seize U.S. trading ships.

British made matters worse with the impressment of U.S. sailors and helping give weapons to Natives.

Watch out for theBritish trying to

seize us!

The French Revolution

Plus, the French Citizen Genet was saying smack about America for not helping.

Washington had to do something about the situation.

Read dilemma #2.

Watch out for theBritish trying to

seize us!

The French Revolution - Solution

Washington wanted to keep peaceful relations with Britain because of the large amount of trade the countries did with each other.

Citizen Genet was sent out of town.

John Jay went to Britain to come up with a solution to this problem.

Jay’s Treaty

Jay’s Treaty: U.S. agreed to pay off debts long owed to British

merchants. Britain agreed to pay for seized ships. Britain also agreed to leave the Northwest Territory and

stop aiding the Native Americans. Britain refused to let America trade with France. Britain also refused to stop impressment of U.S. sailors.

Foreign Problem #3: The port of New OrleansHelp George

figure out what to do over dispute land new the port of New Orleans.

Read Dilemma #3

Pickney’s Treaty, 1795- Solution

US diplomat Charles Pickney is sent to Spain to try to reduce tensions along the frontier with Spain.

As a result, a treaty with Spain is signed Americans are free to

travel on the Mississippi River

US goods could be stored at the port of New Orleans without paying duties (tax)

Spain accepts the 31st parallel as the boundary between Spain and the US.

Domestic #4 – Factions Develop In the Cabinet - Hamilton Versus Jefferson

VS.

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

Hamilton and Jefferson were seen as the leaders of their parties and stood for what their party believed in.

Read Domestic Dilemma #3 and advise Washington…

Hamilton vs. Jefferson - Solution

Washington tries not to take sides, but he favors Hamilton more often, and Jefferson quits his position as Secretary of State.

The first two political parties develop based on their differences.

Hamilton – the Federalist Party Jefferson – The Democratic

Republican Party

Washington Says GoodbyeAs cabinet members, what should he write in his Farewell Address?

Washington set an important precedent by only holding office for 2 terms.

Not until Franklin Roosevelt, in 1940, would a president seek to hold office for more than 2 terms.In 1951, the 22nd Amendment legally limited the President to 2 terms.

Help write a Farewell AddresssAs cabinet members, what should he write in his Farewell Address?

What foreign and domestic advice should he give America?

Read the challenge and help them speech write!

Washington Leaves Office

Washington’s Farewell Address: He warned against political divisions at home.▪ He feared a violent division might tear the country apart.

He believed that the U.S. should not get entangled in the affairs of Europe.

Washington Leaves Office

Washington’s accomplishments: The U.S. now had a functioning federal government.

The economy was improving. Washington had avoided war. The British had been forced to leave their forts in the Northwest Territory.

The Election of 1796

The Republican candidate was Thomas Jefferson.

The Federalist candidate was John Adams. At this time President and Vice-President did

not run together. Instead the person with the most votes became President and the person with the second most votes became Vice-President.

Adams came in first and Jefferson second. The country now had a Federalist President

and a Republican Vice-President.