GEORGE WASHINGTON
THE PRECEDENT PRESIDENT 1789-1797
The First Presidency
George Washington Chosen as first President in 1789 Washington would guide the new
government as it applied the ideas in the Constitution to create a nation
Washington faces many challenges…
Challenges Facing the New Nation
Define authority of the national government Create a stable economic system Build a military (maintain national security) Relationships with other nations Relationships with Native Americans
#NewNationProblems
Defining the Role of the National Government
The Constitution allowed the President to appoint officials in charge of executive departments
Washington appointed officials which became the first Presidential Cabinet. Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton Secretary of War: Henry Knox Attorney General: Edmond Randolph
Create a Stable Economic System
Hamilton’s Plan Repay all debt Create a National Bank Raise the government
revenue Whiskey tax Protective tariff
Jefferson’s Response Would only benefit the
rich Federal government
should not have the power to create a bank
Major Issue Facing New Nation
How do we create a stable economic system? Pay debts Should states be responsible for national
debt?
Idea: Tax Whiskey!
Whiskey Rebellion Farmers living west of the Appalachian
Mountains often turned their extra grain into whiskey
Because the government was so deep in debt, they decided to put a tax on that whiskey to raise money
Farmers refuse to pay tax and threaten tax collectors
Washington sends 13,000 soldiers to settle the rebellion, but the rebels flee before any fighting takes place
QUESTION
WHAT WAS THE REBELLION THAT TOOK PLACE BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING FARMER’S LAND?
SHAY’S REBELLION!
Two Rebellions Compared
Major difference: Shay’s Rebellion scared the nation –
convinced many people that the government was not strong enough under the Articles of Confederation
Washington sent a message to the nation by suppressing the Whiskey Rebellion: the government has the power to keep the nation secure
Issues with Native Americans Basically, Americans wanted more land,
but the land was already settled by Natives
American settlers would move into Native American territory, fighting would break out
Washington would then send soldiers to settle the fighting
British urged Natives to destroy American settlements Little Turtle
Issues with EuropeFrench Revolution1789
At first, Americans supported the French in their revolution of freedom
Then the revolution became a bloodbath…
France and Britain go to war…again (1793)
Should the United States be involved in European problems?
Issues with Europe Proclamation of Neutrality
Prohibited Americans from fighting in the war between France and Britain
Treaties Jay’s Treaty – with Britain (page 265 – 266)
British will leave American soil and pay for ships they have damaged
British will allow Americans to trade with their Caribbean colonies
Pinckney’s Treaty – with Spain Americans can use Mississippi River and port of
New Orleans
Neutrality
Washington’s Farewell Address - 1796
Washington’s Farewell AddressNo P.D.A.
No Political Parties Washington worried about the nation
becoming divided No Debt
Washington warned against the government borrowing too much money
No Alliances (no permanent alliances)
THINK-PAIR-SHARE
QUESTION:
Why would Washington warn America to avoid strong alliances with other nations?
Neutrality
Major Challenges
Define authority of the national government Create a stable economic system Build a military (maintain national security) Relationships with other nations Relationships with Native Americans
Political Parties Emerge
THOMAS JEFFERSON
ALEXANDER HAMILTON
Political Parties Emerge
Issue: United States needs a stable
economyHamilton’s Plan Repay all debt Create a National Bank Raise the government
revenue Whiskey tax Protective tariff
Jefferson’s Response Would only benefit the rich Federal government should not
have the power to create a bank
Political Parties Emerge Hamilton’s supporters
became known as “Federalists”
THOMAS JEFFERSON
ALEXANDER HAMILTON
Jefferson’s supporters became known as “Democratic-Republicans”
Political Parties EmergeFederalists
Alexander Hamilton and John Adams Loose Constructionists (govt. should take all
necessary steps to govern) Favored a strong federal government Pro-British: Federalists feared the French
Revolution (feared mob rule) Merchants and Manufacturers Who should vote? – Only those meeting property
qualifications
Political Parties Emerge Democratic-Republicans
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison Strict Constructionists (government should only
have powers expressly listed in the Constitution) Favored states’ having power Pro-French: Jefferson supported the French
Revolution Farmers and craftsmen Who should vote? – All adult males
CREATE A T-Chart comparing Federalists and Democratic-
Republicans
John Adams
THE 2ND PRESIDENT
JOHN ADAMS
1797-1801
#HisRotundity
Hostility with
France
XYZ Affair
Alien and Sedition
Acts
The “Undeclare
d War”
John Adams
Hostility with France France and Britain are at war
Jay’s Treaty (US treaty with Britain) made the French feel threatened
So, the French began to capture American ships trading with Britain
John Adams
The “X-Y-Z Affair” President Adams sends a delegation to France
to resolve the issue between U.S. and France
The French sent 3 agents to the meeting and demanded a bribe and a loan from the Americans
The U.S. refused and were insulted by the incident
John AdamsAlien and Sedition Acts
The threat of war with France made Americans more suspicious of aliens (immigrants who were not citizens)
Congress passes laws to protect the nation’s security o Made it more difficult to become a citizeno restricted speech which criticized the federal
government
Became known as the “Alien and Sedition Acts”
John Adams The “Undeclared” War
U.S. and France have been unofficially fighting
President Adams did not want to enter another war, so he avoided declaring war
In 1800, U.S. and France sign a peace treaty
JOHN ADAMS
1797-1801#HisRotund
ity
Hostility with
France
XYZ Affair
Alien and Sedition
Acts
The “Undeclare
d War”