George Washington’s Presidency

• April 30, 1789 Washington (Virginia) is inaugurated (sworn in) as President.John Adams (Mass.) becomes the Vice-President.

George Washington’s Presidency

• Washington establishes many governmental precedents.PRECEDENT: an example that would become a standard practice.

I. Establishment of the Court System

➢ Federal Judiciary Act of 1789: passed by Congress.

1. Created an independent federal court system with the Supreme Court and lower level courts.

2. The U.S. Supreme Court is to have a Chief Justice and five associate justices. Currently we have 9 total justices.

3. Washington appoints John Jay as Chief Justice.

II. Establishment of the Presidential Cabinet

A. The Constitution allows Congress to create departments to help the President – the Cabinet.

B. The first Presidential Cabinet had four departments:

The First Presidential Cabinet1. Secretary of War (Henry Knox)

oversee the nation’s defenses.

2. Secretary of State (Thomas Jefferson) oversee the relations between the U.S. and other countries.

The First Presidential Cabinet

3. Secretary of the Treasury (Alexander Hamilton) to manage the government’s money.

The First Presidential Cabinet

4. Attorney General (Edmond Randolph) to advise the government on legal matters.

The First Presidential Cabinet

Jigsaw Groups

• On a Separate Paper Answer the following questions – Who – What – When – Where– Why– How

Hamilton’s Financial Plan• Who

– Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of the Treasury

• What

– Wants to solve the financial troubles of the United States

Hamilton’s Financial Plan• Why

– The United States is in financial trouble because of war debts and inflation

● How

○ Pay off all state debt from the Revolution

○ Create a national bank

○ Help to develop American business through

■ Tariffs – taxes good imported into the U.S.

■ Subsidies – giving money to businesses

Jefferson vs. Hamilton• Who

– Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of the Treasury

– Jefferson – Secretary of State

Jefferson vs. Hamilton• What

– Two different political views – Jefferson – Strict Constructionist – if it is not written in

the constitution then the government does not have the power to do it

– Hamilton – Loose Constructionist – using the implied powers of the Constitution, the government can do things that are not explicitly in the constitution (“all laws which be necessary and proper”

Jefferson vs. Hamilton• Where

– Washington’s Cabinet

● How

○ They debated over the interpretation of the Constitution

○ Could the Government create a bank?

Whiskey Rebellion • Who/what

– Alexander Hamilton – proposed a whiskey tax– Washington – lead the militia to put down the

rebellion • Why

– Hamilton created the tax to help the U.S. with their financial problem

Whiskey Rebellion • How

– They tax cost too much for business owners and people refused to pay

– A mob attacked a tax collector in Pennsylvania sparking the problem

• Significance

– This test of the federal government to see if they could enforce their laws was proven

successful.

Neutrality Act of 1794• Who

– France is having a revolution – Hamilton – does not want to get involved in a

war– Jefferson – wants to support France

Neutrality Act of 1794• What

– The Nation must decide if they will get involved in a new war

• How

– The Neutrality Act declares that the United States will not get involved in foreign

conflicts.

Neutrality Act of 1794• Significance

– This policy defines the U.S.’s policy on foreign conflicts into the 1900s

https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/5c334aede1889d001a56f873/washingtons-precedents