WWashington ashington

Leads a New Leads a New

NationNation

Chapter 7, Section 1Chapter 7, Section 1

Pages 234- 237Pages 234- 237

The First PresidentThe First President

Although Washington thought he was going to retire after

the war, he was chosen to be the first President of the

United States under the federal Constitution.

Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789 and

John Adams became the first vice president.

Washington was aware of the difficulties and decisions

he had to face. He would establish precedents that

would shape the future of the United States.

Organizing the GovernmentOrganizing the Government

Congress created a cabinet for President Washington.

There were originally three departments:

State Department --- handled the relations with other nations, headed by Thomas Jefferson.

Treasury Department --- dealt with financial matters, headed by Alexander Hamilton.

War Department --- provided for the national defense, headed by Henry Knox.

Other Executive OfficesOther Executive Offices

Congress created the office of attorney general to handle

the government’s legal affairs. The first attorney general

was Edmund Randolph.

Congress also established the office of postmaster

general to direct the postal service.

Washington met regularly with the three primary department

heads, or secretaries, and the attorney general, which

collectively became to known as the cabinet.

Executive AuthorityExecutive Authority

Congress was divided as to how much power the presidentshould hold over the executive department.

The president appointed the department heads with theSenate’s approval.

Congress gave the president authority over hiring and firingcabinet officers so that he did not need the Senate’s

approvalto dismiss someone.

This strengthened the president’s position and created amajor separation between the legislature and the executivebranches.

Judiciary Act of 1789Judiciary Act of 1789

The Judiciary Act of 1789 was actually a compromise.

One group in Congress favored a national legal system,

an a second favored state courts.

The act created three levels of federal courts anddefined their powers and relationships to the statecourts.

State laws would remain, but federal courts would have

the power to reverse state decisions.

Americans’ Expectations Americans’ Expectations for the Nationfor the Nation

Many American had high expectations for the new country.

They wanted improved trade, free from restrictions.

They wanted the government to protect them and keep the economy stable.

1790 – U.S. population was approximately 4 million people.

Most cities were small. Only New York and Philadelphia had populations larger than 25,000.

New York City was the first capital of the United States.