Washington and Jefferson

NOTES! Take out your notebooks or binders!

George Washington

• Washington was the first president, and he had to create many of the precedents, or traditions, that guided presidents after him• Many of his decisions were

influenced by Alexander Hamilton, a Federalist

Washington’s Political Accomplishments

• Established the administration–The administration is the group of

officials in the executive branch of the government that assist the president–Example: Referring to the “Obama

administration” is a common way to talk about the things that President Obama has done.

Washington’s Political Accomplishments

• Set up the cabinet–Originally the departments of War,

State, Treasury, and the Attorney General

• Set up the Court system–Appointed John Jay as the first

chief justice

Washington’s Political Accomplishments

• Demonstrated the power of the Federal government by putting down the Whiskey Rebellion–Showed how the government was able

to handle problems

Washington’s Economic Accomplishments

• Did not pay off the debt• Created a National Bank•Wanted to invest in industry–Did this by taxing farmers and

paying merchants who invested in the economy

Washington’s Legacy

• Expanded the power of the national government by loosely interpreting the Constitution

Thomas Jefferson

Take out your notes!

Thomas Jefferson

• Thomas Jefferson was a Democratic Republican. • After his election in 1800, which has

been called the “Revolution of 1800,” he believed in taking the government in a new direction, opposite George Washington and John Adams before him.

Jefferson’s Political Accomplishments

• Cut down the government bureaucracy • Reduced the army and the navy• Encouraged Congress to abandon

unpopular laws and taxes, like the Alien and Sedition Acts.–These laws made it a crime to speak

out against the government.

Jefferson’s Political Accomplishments

• Purchased the Louisiana Territory from France–This territory doubled the size of the

U.S, but went against Jefferson’s principle of strict construction, because the Constitution did not allow for the government to buy land

Jefferson’s Political Accomplishments

• Chief Justice John Marshall established judicial review with Marbury v. Madison–Gave the Supreme Court the power to

overrule legislative and executive decisions

Jefferson’s Political Accomplishments• Attempted to defend U.S. interests

overseas–Won the Barbary Wars– Suffered impressment of American soldiers• British ships captured American sailors and

forced them to serve in the British Navy–Unsuccessfully attempted an embargo on

British trade

Jefferson’s Economic Accomplishments

• Paid down the national debt• Sold lands in the west to families,

increasing revenue for the country• Believed in investing in agriculture, or

farming• Engaged in extensive trade with France

and England

Jefferson’s Legacy

• Tried to limit the power of the federal government, but two major precedents undermined his efforts– Judicial Review– Louisiana purchase

• How did each of these principles violate Jefferson’s view about government?