Washington and the New Government EQ: What foreign and domestic issues were at the center of Washington’s Presidency?

Meanwhile… While America is trying to build itself into a great country…. – A great country is trying to destroy itself… – France decides to have their own Revolution Replace their monarch with a democracy like America….

The French Revolution Began in 1789 Most Americans supported French revolutionaries in the beginning…why? They were rebelling against a King, so Americans had a soft- spot for their cause Soon became controversial- – More violent Mid Period called the Reign of Terror – Executed ~ 17,000 people Early 1793, France and Britain at war President Washington said U.S. would remain neutral (not favoring either side in a dispute)

The Execution of Louis XVI

Why remain neutral? U.S. wanted to trade with both countries, but each country feared the trade would benefit the other country. Both France and England stopped American ships and began seizing their cargoes. British made things worse. – Impressment of sailors from American ships (seizing the sailors and forcing them to serve in the British army) Hamilton told Washington to stay friendly with Britain because American prosperity depended on England more than France. Neutrality

Q: Based off what we know about Washington and Hamilton, do you think Washington listened to Hamilton’s advice? A: Yes, Washington usually heeded the advice given by Hamilton. He Sent John Jay to London to solve problems Jay returned in 1795 with a treaty – U.S. agreed to pay debts – Britain agreed to pay for the seized ships, withdraw troops from the NW territory, stop aiding Native Americans. – Britain refused to cease impressment of U.S. sailors Jay Treaty angered many opposed to the old “Federalists” – U.S. give too much/gotten too little The old “Federalists” liked the treaty – Kept peace with Britain Q: The old “Federalists” controlled the Senate. Why is this important? A: Senate must approve all Treaties with other countries, so the Jay Treat was ratified.

Conflicts in the Northwest Territory Treaty of Paris at end of Revolutionary War: U.S. won the territory north and west of the Ohio River to the Mississippi River. Most of the tribes had sided with the British, but they had not been informed by the British that their lands would now be part of the United States. Native Tribes resisted the settlement of the area by the United States

A Struggle Over Lands Native Americans wanted to keep land and began attacking American settlements Federal government tried to force Native Americans to sell lands. Some agreed. Many in the north did not. The main tribes fighting the Americans were the Miami Nation and Shawnees

A Series of Battles 1790, Washington sent force to end Native American attacks. Natives beat the American forces soundly. A year later another force was sent. It ended up being the worst defeat the army would ever suffer in a battle with Native Americans. Washington turns to Gen. “Mad” Anthony Wayne to lead forces. Aug. 1794, major victory for Wayne at the Battle of Fallen Timbers

1795- Treaty of Greenville- leaders of the defeated Native American nations gave up most of their lands from the Ohio River in the south to Lake Erie in the North. (what is today most of Ohio)

The Whiskey Rebellion

March 1791 – Liquor Excise Tax  Congress passed an excise tax on domestically distilled spirits (liquor)  system of local inspectors and collectors

Western Frontier Region Angered  Tax angers frontier region where liquor was often for personal use, not for sale  Also, other farmers it was their main source of income

Rebellion - July 1794  Unsuccessfully petition against the excise tax,  Beat up Federal Marshalls, burned homes of tax collectors, harassed citizens sympathetic to the gov.  Threatened to secede from the Union A tax collector is tarred and feathered during the Whiskey Rebellion

What Should be done? And who has the power to do it?

August 2, 1794 Supreme Court rules that circumstances in W. PA cannot be controlled by civil authorities and warrant a military response. GW calls for a militia Flag used in some protests of the Whiskey Rebellion

August 7, 1794 Militia in PA, NJ, MD, and VA to assemble a force of nearly 13,000 men G.W. offers amnesty to all insurgents who "disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes" by September 1.

September 25, 1794  Washington issues a proclamation ordering the militia to march against the insurgents  As troops hike the region, rebels scatter  No loss of life, rebellion is squashed.

Results of the Whiskey Rebellion Showed the power of the Federal Government Armed Rebellion would not be tolerated in the new Country.