GEORGE WASHINGTON

George Washington’s Presidency April 30, 1789 Washington (Virginia) is inaugurated (sworn in) as President. John Adams (Mass.) becomes the Vice- President.

George Washington’s Presidency Washington establishes many governmental precedents. PRCEDENT: an example that would become a standard practice.

I.Establishment of the Court System  Federal Judiciary Act of 1789: passed by Congress. 1.Created an independent federal court system with the Supreme Court and lower level courts.

2.The U.S. Supreme Court is to have a Chief Justice and five associate justices. Currently we have 9 total justices. 3.Washington appoints John Jay as Chief Justice.

II.Establishment of the Presidential Cabinet A.The Constitution allows Congress to create departments to help the President – the Cabinet. B.The first Presidential Cabinet had four departments:

The First Presidential Cabinet 1.Secretary of War (Henry Knox) oversee the nation’s defenses.

2.Secretary of State (Thomas Jefferson) oversee the relations between the U.S. and other countries. The First Presidential Cabinet

3.Secretary of the Treasury (Alexander Hamilton) to manage the government’s money. The First Presidential Cabinet

4.Attorney General (Edmond Randolph) to advise the government on legal matters. The First Presidential Cabinet

III.Hamilton’s Financial Plan NOTE: Alexander Hamilton believed that the federal government should be stronger than the state governments.

III.Hamilton’s Financial Plan A.Pay off the war debt to develop the trust of other nations for trade. -Assumption of state debts B.Raise the federal government’s revenues through tariffs and taxes. TARIFFS – a tax on imported goods.

III.Hamilton’s Financial Plan C.Tariffs would… 1.encourage the growth of American industry (buy American-made). 2.raise money for the federal government.

III.Hamilton’s Financial Plan D.Create a NATIONAL BANK: 1.safe place to keep the government’s money. 2.can make loans to businesses. 3.would issue paper currency. 4.strengthen the federal government.

IV.Debate on Interpretation of the Constitution STRICT CONSTRUCTION: only what the Constitution clearly states – favored by Jefferson and Madison. LOOSE CONSTRUCTION: the Constitution should be flexible to meet the needs of the country (Elastic Clause) – favored by Hamilton and Adams.  Jefferson and Hamilton argue these points on the creation of the National Bank.

V.Major Events During Washington’s Presidency A.The Whiskey Rebellion (1794) PA farmers refused to pay the tax until the American army enforces it. This upholds the power of the new federal government.

V.Major Events During Washington’s Presidency B. The French Revolution ( ) the French people overthrow the French monarchy by executing King Louis XVI. Neutrality – the U.S. would not side with any European country in wartime.

V.Major Events During Washington’s Presidency C. Pinckney’s Treaty (1795) Spain gave the Americans the right to freely travel on the Mississippi River and use the port of New Orleans.

VI.Washington Retires  Established the precedent of only a two-term presidency, which becomes the 22 nd Amendment in 1951.

Adams as President A.XYZ Affair – In order to repair relations with the French, Adams sends diplomats to negotiate a treaty. The French demand a “gift” (bribe) of $250,000 before they would negotiate

Adams as President The American diplomats refuse to pay Americans, angry about the French slight, want war Adams avoids war by negotiating peace with Napoleon – unpopular move

Adams as President B.Creates the U.S. Navy – to protect American trade routes, merchant ships, and defend the coast

Adams as President C.Alien and Sedition Acts Alien Act allowed the president to deport any alien considered dangerous Sedition Act made it illegal for newspapers to print any material that is critical of the president or congress Naturalization Act increased the amount of time immigrants had to live in the U.S. before they could become citizens

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions Infuriated by the laws, some states began to review the acts and decided to nullify the laws The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions stated that since the Constitution was a ‘pact’ between the states and the federal government, if the government did something to break that ‘pact’ (the Alien and Sedition Acts) the states could decide that those laws were void in their state (this was called nullification)

End of Federalist Power Though their time in power was a brief twelve years, the Federalist party did achieve much –They strengthened the national government –The established a sound financial system –American industry began to grow under them –They avoided war with both Britain and France

The Jefferson Presidency The End of the Federalist Era Jefferson would win the election of 1800 and bring an end to the Federalist Era and bring in the Jeffersonian Era His victory and the resulting change in political ideology is known as “The Revolution of 1800

The Jefferson Presidency March 4, 1801 –Thomas Jefferson is the first President inaugurated in the new capital city of Washington D.C. –He delivers his first inaugural address. This address outlines what he feels are the essential principles of government.

The Jefferson Presidency Essential Principles of Government –“equal and exact justice to all men” –“peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations” –“the support of state governments” –“the preservation of general government” –punishment for those who choose to revolt –compliance with the decisions of the majority

The Jefferson Presidency Essential Principles of Government Cont… –“a well disciplined militia” –honest payment of debts –maintaining a sound economy –proper distribution of information –freedom of religion –freedom of the press

Midnight Judges Federalists lose the presidency and congressional power in the election of 1800 In an attempt to hold onto the judicial branch Adams, on his last day in office, fills all federal courts with loyal federalists

Marbury v. Madison James Madison, a member of Jefferson's cabinet finds the letter granting John Marbury a federal judgeship Jefferson orders Madison not to deliver it Marbury sues in order to get the position he feels is his

Marbury v. Madison The Supreme Court sides with Madison and refuses to grant Marbury the position based on the fact that they find part of the Judiciary Act unconstitutional and therefore void In doing so the Supreme Court claims the right of ‘Judicial Review’ or the right to declare laws unconstitutional and strike them down

The Jefferson Presidency Jefferson worries that the U.S. could loose control of New Orleans and access to the Mississippi River In 1803 he sends James Monroe to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans for $3 million dollars Napoleon isn’t interested…unless they take the whole Louisiana Territory for $15 million

The Jefferson Presidency Jefferson’s Dilemma – Constitutionality of acquiring new land Jefferson – a strict constructionist – constitution doesn’t mention acquisition of new land as a power He puts aside his own strict views for what he believes is best for the country

The Jefferson Presidency Louisiana Purchase doubles the size of the country Secures New Orleans and the Mississippi River 828,000 square miles of land for 4 cents an acre

The Jefferson Presidency Jefferson commissions the Lewis and Clark expedition to: –Explore the new territory –Begin trading relationship with Native Americans –Find a water route to the Pacific Ocean

The Jefferson Presidency Embargo of 1807 –Great Britain and France are at war again –We finally have a descent trading relationship with both of them, so Jefferson wants to remain neutral –He imposes an embargo (ban) on all foreign trade

The Jefferson Presidency Embargo Act continued –The Embargo Act is unpopular among merchants, traders, and the business community –Does great damage to the American economy –It does however encourage the growth of domestic manufacturing