Washington’s Presidency April 30, George Washington is inaugurated as the 1 st President of the United States.

Washington Takes Office “Mr. President” John Adams is Vice-President

Setting up the Courts Federal Judiciary Act Supreme Court has six members One Chief Justice Five Associate Justices (Changed to Nine Justices in 1869) Washington appointed John Jay as Chief Justice Established three circuit courts and 13 district courts

Washington’s Cabinet Cabinet- heads of departments to help the President make important decisions PositionCabinet LeaderDescription Secretary of WarHenry KnoxOversee the nation’s defense Secretary of StateThomas JeffersonOversaw interactions with the U.S. and other countries Secretary of the Treasury Alexander HamiltonManage the government’s money Attorney GeneralEdmund RandolphAdvise the government on legal issues

Economic Problems War Debt The Revolution had left us in massive debt that we could not figure out how to pay. By 1789 we owed 52 million dollars Foreign Nations and Citizens Government officials felt we needed to pay our war debt in full to win the respect for nations and citizens abroad. Financial Plan Alexander Hamilton created a financial plan to help the nation based on his belief in a strong central government.

Setting up the Treasury As a result of the American Revolution the U.S. owed $54 million. The job of repaying the debt fell to Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton’s Financial Plan Repay the Debt Whiskey Tax Protective Tariff National Bank

Hamilton’s Financial (Economic) Plan #1- Repay The Debt Hamilton believed the National (Federal) government should pay off the debts of both the states and previous national government in order to establish credit. To do this the U.S. would sell bonds to investors Southern states objected because they had paid most of their debt and did not want to subsidize (take on) that of the North.

Hamilton’s Financial (Economic) Plan #2- National Bank Hamilton proposed creation of a national bank as a place to deposit taxes, to provide a sound currency, and to make loans to the national government

Hamilton’s Financial (Economic) Plan #3 – Whiskey Tax Hamilton proposed a tax on whiskey to raise money from western farmers.

Hamilton’s Financial (Economic) Plan #4- Protective Tariff Hamilton asked Congress to pass a high tariff (tax on imported foreign goods) which would protect American industries from foreign competition.

Interpreting the Constitution Disagreement brought about by Hamiltons Bank Plan Strict Interpretation States that the government only has the powers that the Constitution CLEARLY says it has. Favored by Jefferson and Madison Loose Interpretation Argues the Elastic Clause “necessary and proper” gives the government the power to do what it needs to do to make the country successful. Favored by Hamilton and ultimately Washington