Washington Takes Office

EQ: How did the government under President Washington set a precedent for the new nation?

Washington’s First TermWhy might Washington’s presidency be an

important time period for America?

What problems might he face in starting a new nation?

Setting a PrecedentWhat does it mean to set a precedent?

Watch the video clip of Washington’s presidency and write down ways his term as president set a precedent.

The New Government

Congress

Senate House of Representatives

President: WashingtonVP: John Adams

Secretary of StateThomas JeffersonForeign Relations

Secretary of TreasuryAlexander HamiltonEconomy

Secretary of WarHenry KnoxMilitary

Attorney GeneralEdmond RandolphLegal

Supreme CourtJohn Jay

3 Circuit Courts

13 District Courts

The Economic CrisisThe Economic CrisisThe American Revolution left the U.S. deeply in

debt ($52 million, $ 626,392,587 today) Debt in the form of bonds

Whose responsible forfiguring this problem out?

Bonds are certificates issued to the government for an amount of money that the government promises to pay back with interest

Both government and foreigners invested in bonds to help the war effort

Speculators (people who invest in risky business ventures in hopes of making a large profit) bought bonds for less than they were worth

Paying the DebtSummary

Arguments Against

U.S would pay the state’s Revolutionary War debt.

South had already paidMove the capital to NYC to Washington

A National BankSummary

Arguments Against

National bank deposit governments money

TJ thought it was unconstitutionalBank was established

A High TariffSummary

Arguments Against

•Tax on imported goods•Raise money for government and protect manufacturers

Southerners opposed because it would helpthe north *Did not pass!

Precedents SetWhat were some of the precedents set for the new

government?

Do you think they are on the right track?

Loose vs. Strict Interpretation

The belief that the central government can make laws or pass acts to add to its powers

The Elastic Clause

The belief that the central government only has the powers specifically given to it in the U.S. Constitution

The 10th Amendment

Loose Strict

The Whiskey RebellionImagine This:

Alexander Hamilton has proposed a new tax on the production of whiskey. Congress has passed the tax. This is the first direct tax the new federal government has placed on its citizens. A group of farmers in western Pennsylvania feel this tax violates their rights, have refused to pay it, and have begun tarring and feathering local tax collectors.

Alex Hamilton

George Washington

Whiskey Rebels

Principles

Goals

Tactics

The Whiskey RebellionWhat was Washington’s justification for using force?

Was Washington really justified in sending the militia to deal with the problem of the “whiskey rebels”?

Was Hamilton justified in asking the Whiskey Tax to be passed?

Did the “Whiskey rebels” have a legitimate justice claim? 

Whiskey RebellionShay’s Rebellion