George Washington America’s 1st President

Domestic Problems faced by Washington He was the first President in America. He had no example to follow or imitate. Everything he did would be watched by America and would influence future presidents. He had a tough job ahead of him and a huge responsibility

How did Washington solve the Problem? 1. Washington understood the task ahead of him and made wise choices and decisions during his presidency. In doing so he set many precedents that many future presidents would follow.

Domestic Problems faced by Washington 2. National Debt: During the American Revolution the national and state governments had borrowed money to pay for the war. Now that the war was over and the new nation was functioning the debt needed to be paid off.

How did Washington solve the Problem? Washington appointed Alexander Hamilton as his Secretary of Treasury Hamilton was an extremely bright man who knew that the nation needed to gain reassurance in the government. Hamilton came up with a two part plan. A) pay off all war bonds to citizens and state debts to foreign nations B) create a national bank to deal with all government money Hamilton’s plan was well received in the North, but not in the South, which led to a new problem.

Domestic Problems faced by Washington 3. The South did not like Hamilton’s Plan because they had already paid off their debts from the war…they would not approve unless there was something in it that would benefit them. The southern states wanted the nation’s capital moved

How did Washington solve the Problem? 3. Actually Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton solved this issue in 1790. Jefferson agreed to get the south to support Hamilton's financial plan if Hamilton agreed to get the northern states to move the capital further south Virginia and Maryland each gave up a small section of land along the Potomac River and the District of Columbia was formed.

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Domestic Problems faced by Washington 4. Economic Weakness: the new nation did not have a lot of money—which was needed to function

How did Washington solve the Problem? 4. Again Washington turned to his Sec. of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton felt it was necessary to focus on manufacturing. To do so, he had Congress set up a Protective tariff which would raise the price of foreign goods, and encourage people to buy American goods. USA: $1000 Germany: $1000 + tax

Domestic Problems faced by Washington Whiskey Rebellion: 1794 --to raise money Congress placed a tax on distilled spirits. Farmers in the western sections of the nation were angered by the tax because whiskey was a major product for them—they turned corn into whiskey which was easier to transport to markets in the east

Whiskey Rebellion In 1794 the residents of western Pennsylvania not only threatened the whiskey tax collectors, they proceeded to carry out their threats. This led to acts of violence and rebellion.

How did Washington solve the Problem? 5. President Washington reacted strongly. He sent in 12,000 troops to put down the rebellion. This action showed the strength of the national government over the states, and began the question over state’s rights

Foreign Problems faced by Washington French Revolution (1789-1795) French citizens revolted against the Monarch Revolutionary ideas spread throughout Europe England tried to stop the revolt and France went to war with England Both sides expected help from the U.S.

How did Washington solve the Problem? Washington knew that the U.S. was not strong enough to go to war—not enough $, weak military. So he issued the Neutrality Proclamation which said that the U.S. would not support either France nor England & that U.S. citizens and merchants should not give aid to either side

Foreign Problems faced by Washington Avoiding war with Great Britain: American neutrality was not being respected Merchants were still trading w/both England and France England & France both began seizing U.S. ships headed for the other nation (England more) American people got fed up & wanted to go to war w/England

How did Washington solve the Problem? Jay’s Treaty 1794 Washington knew that the nation still was not ready for a war, so he sent John Jay to England to sort things out In the treaty Britain agreed to pay damages for the lost goods and ships, and to give up forts in the Ohio Valley. The U.S. agreed to pay debts owed to England before the Revolution

How did Washington solve the Problem? Jays Treaty said nothing about England not seizing American ships It kept the U.S. out of war w/England Washington hoped continuing neutrality would solve this problem and encouraged Neutrality in his farewell address. John Jay

Now we will work on some review activities on Washington as the first President Please complete binder pages: 334-338