The Presidency of George Washington

George Washington, 1789-1797 THE LEADER Not College educated/ Not as well written Leader of Continental Army Chairman of Constitutional Convention Quietly retired from public life after Rev. War Country-Gentlemen & Framer Most famous American (besides Ben Franklin)

Getting Organized Selecting a cabinet (Unwritten Constitution) Vice Pres. J. Adams, Sec. of State: T. Jefferson, Sec. of Treasury: A. Hamilton, Henry Knox, Sec. of War Creating a federal court system Judiciary Act of 1789: Supreme Court (6) District courts and Circuit Courts of Appeals

Washington Sets Up First Gov’t. A. Hamilton’s Report on Public Credit Plan to solve $$$ problems Pay off some of the debt National Gov’t “assumes” all of the debt Helps to establish credit New Tax (whiskey) Protective Tariff (tax on imports) This is rejected and does not happen Tax money is placed in National Bank and used to pay off the debt National Bank is EXTREMELY CONTROVERSIAL but chartered in 1791 Businesses support and helps to encourage industrial growth in U.S. Jefferson vs. Hamilton

Hamilton vs. Jefferson Who wins? Loose constructionist Use Elastic Clause to stretch Constitution Strict Constructionist Not in Constitution = Can’t do it!

Federalists v. Dem.-Republicans (First Political Parties – Unwritten Constitution) Loose interpretation Pro British Aid business & manufactures National Bank Favor tariffs Largely in NE A. Hamilton & John Adams DEM.-REPUBLICANS Strict interpretation Pro French Favor farmers & small businesses No national bank Opposed tariffs Largely in So. & West T. Jefferson and J. Madison

Whiskey Rebellion - 1794 Whiskey Rebellion (1794) Against excise tax – Penn. Washington called out state militias. Led army some of the way (Hamilton) By time army arrived – no rebellion Shows difference of Fed power strength. Shays’ v. Whiskey

Foreign Policy Under Washington French Rev Citizen Genet Affair Impressment Jay’s Treat

French Revolution Why is this a big deal to the United States French Revolution breaks out and lasts from 1789-1815 Seeing the weak French the British enter into a war against France. Why is this a big deal to the United States 2 REASONS France Supported America during the Revolutionary War Britain had a stronger navy WHAT SHOULD THE U.S. DO?????

Foreign Affairs Fr. Revolution: supported overthrow of King, but horrified by “The Terror” U.S. had a formal alliance with Fr. (French-American Alliance of 1778) Washington: Proclamation of Neutrality

U.S. and France Citizen Genet Affair (1793-1794) Fr. minister to US broke rules of diplomacy by appealing directly to American people for support of French Rev. Genet wanted to recruit American merchants to become privateers Declaration of Neutrality Washington requested he be recalled Recalled, but chose to remain in US

Br. Impressment of American Sailors

Jay’s Treaty 1794 – War between Britain and France is at a high point. Tension in the U.S….WHO SHOULD WE HELP??? Washington and Hamilton decide U.S. would be better served siding with Britain. Send John Jay to London to negotiate a treaty

Jay’s Treaty (1794) Br. searching & seizing US ships & impressing American sailors Treaty: Br. Agreed to evacuate western posts, US got better trade terms-US would favor British exports in Am.Ports But no agreement on attacks on US shipping. Narrowly ratified; kept to Washington’s neutrality- Divided American people further

England vs. France Washington/Adams Jefferson/Dem-Rep Federalists wanted to lean towards friendlier relations with England. Connected by gov’t, traditions, culture. World Power – put chips in with them. Major trade partner Jefferson/Dem-Rep France savior of rev. French Rev. – Liberty Home of Enlightenment. Not attacking US shipping like Britain. 16

Main Events (cont.) Pinckney’s Treaty (1795) with Spain: Jay’s Treaty prompted Spain to agree to open the lower Mississippi River & New Orleans to American trade (“right of deposit”) to transfer cargo w/o paying duty. Accepted new Florida boundary, giving US advantage

Washington’s Farewell Address (1797) Washington steps down after two terms: Warned Americans: Avoid involvement in European affairs Stay out of “permanent alliances” Avoid attachment to political parties AMERICA’S ORIGINAL BOY BOY