George Washington Chosen unanimously as 1st President John Adams VP Inaugurated in New York 4/30/1789 Washington truth or legend? Parson Mason Weems famous book A History of the Life and Death, Virtues and Exploits of General George Washington -
Washington’s Cabinet Secretary of State – Thomas Jefferson Secretary of Treasury – Alexander Hamilton Secretary of War – Henry Knox Attorney General - Edmund Randolph
First Two Party System Federalists (Hamilton, John Adams) – strong central government, economy based on manufacturing and trade, popular in Northeast Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson) – strong State government, individual rights, and rural farming economy, popular in South and Frontier.
Hamilton’s Economic Plan Excise Tax on Liquor Tariff on imports Funding the Debt Assumption - Compromise? National Bank - What Constitutional issues?
1792 Election Results (16 states in the Union) George WashingtonVirginiaFederalist % John AdamsMassachusetts Federalist % George ClintonNew YorkDemocratic- Republican % Thomas JeffersonVirginiaDemocratic- Republican 43.0% Aaron BurrNew YorkFederalist10.7% Electoral Votes Not Cast % Total Number of Electors132 Total Electoral Votes Cast264 Number of Votes for a Majority 67
1792 Election Results
Signs of a Struggle The Whiskey Rebellion 1794 –Taxes on Whiskey led to rebellion in Western PA. –Feds sent troops to put it down
Edmund “Citizen” Genet *Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality in1793 when England and France go to war
Jay’s Treaty Sent to Britain to end Impressment and harassment at sea Only able to secure a deal on US control of NW
Washington’s Farewell Warned against: 1.Political Parties 2.Permanent Alliances & Foreign Influence
1796 Election Results
1796 Election Results (16 states in the Union) John AdamsMassachusettsFederalist7151.4% Thomas JeffersonVirginiaDemocratic- Republican % Thomas PinckneySouth CarolinaFederalist5942.8% Aaron BurrNew YorkDemocratic- Republican % Samuel AdamsMassachusettsFederalist1510.9% Oliver EllsworthConnecticutFederalist118.0% George ClintonNew YorkDemocratic- Republican 75.1% Other % Total Number of Electors138 Total Electoral Votes Cast276 Number of Votes for a Majority 70
2nd President: John Adams What were his strengths and weaknesses as a politician? Why was he an unpopular President?
XYZ Affair (1797)
XYZ Affair
Alien & Sedition Acts Heated controversy explodes on floor of the House of Reps Matthew Lyon (Republican) vs. Roger Griswold (Federalist)
Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions Jefferson (Kentucky) and Madison (Virginia) Based on John Locke’s compact theory States had right to “Nullify” laws of the federal government that exceeds their power. Nullification issue will continue to be controversial throughout American history
1800 Election Results
1800 Election Results (16 states in the Union) Thomas JeffersonVirginia Democratic- Republican % Aaron BurrNew York Democratic- Republican % John AdamsMassachusettsFederalist6547.1% Charles PinckneySouth CarolinaFederalist6446.4% John JayNew YorkFederalist 1 0.7% Total Number of Electors138 Total Electoral Votes Cast276 Number of Votes for a Majority 70