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