Washington’s Presidency

The First President

• Elected Jan. 1789 by electoral college

• Vice President: John Adams

Washington considered it his duty “to render service to his country in obedience to its call”

Setting Precedents

•Precedent—an action or a decision that serves as an example for later generations

“The first of everything in our situation will serve to establish a precedent.”

Setting Precedents

•Created a Cabinet– a group of

men to keep him informed and help him make decisions.

Setting Precedents

Secretary of Treasury:

Alexander Hamilton

Secretary of State:

Thomas Jefferson

Setting Precedents

Attorney General:

Edmund Randolph

Secretary of War:

Henry Knox

Judiciary Act of 1789

•Established federal court system

District Courts

Court of Appeals

Supreme Court

Judiciary Act of 1789

–John Jay: first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Settling the Debt• DEBT= biggest

problem for Washington

• Hamilton’s 3 step plan– Replace Bonds– Pass Tariffs– Create Bank

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

Alexander Hamilton:

Strong central government

Thomas Jefferson:

States’ rights

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

Loose constructionist of the Constitution- government can do more as long as Constitution does

not prohibit

Strict constructionist of the Constitution- government can only do

what is written in the Constitution

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

Promoted manufacturing & business

Promoted agriculture

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

Wanted high tariffs for U.S. manufacturers

Wanted low tariffs for farmers

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

•Protective tariff—tax on imported goods to raise the prices of foreign goods in order to protect domestic products

Chevrolet Silverado Toyota Tundra

$20,000 $18,000

Chevrolet Silverado Toyota Tundra

$20,000$18,000

+ $4,000 tariff = $22,000

Foreign Affairs•French Revolution led to

more fighting between Britain and France.–Hamilton wanted to help Britain.

– Jefferson wanted to help France.

–Washington wanted to help neither.

Foreign Affairs

•Washington issues Neutrality Proclamation- U.S. will not take sides in European conflicts.

The Whiskey Rebellion

• March 1791: Congress passed a tax on American-made whiskey to help

pay war debt

The Whiskey Rebellion

• Americans living in the west believed the tax was unfair

The Whiskey Rebellion• Farmers in western Pennsylvania refused

to pay the tax- harassed tax collectors.• Washington led 13,000 troops stop the

rebellion.

Washington Says Goodbye• Washington served 2

terms and then resigned.

• In his Farewell Address, he told the nation goodbye and gave advice for the future…– Do not form political

parties– Do not make allies– Do not borrow money