Launching a New Republic 1

Section 1 Washington’s Presidency Objectives You will be able to describe the decisions made by Washington and Congress that established precedents for later years. Summarize Hamilton’s plan to address the nation’s economic and financial issues 2

Washington Elected President Video clip First presidential election held in 1789 George Washington President John Adams Vice President Inaugurated on April 30,

Washington’s New Government How did Washington’s presidency shape new political traditions? Washington is the first president, so there are no traditions in place. 4

Congressional Decisions The Constitution created the Supreme Court but left it to Congress to decide the details. Federal Judiciary Act of 1789 Gave the Supreme Court 6 members A chief justice ( judge) Five associate justices (The present day Supreme Court now consists of nine judges) Created less powerful federal courts John Jay first Supreme Court Justice 5

Assembling a Cabinet The Constitution also gave Congress the task of creating departments to help the president lead the nation The president would appoint the heads of the cabinets 6

Assembling a Cabinet Departments State Department Dealt with relations of other countries The War Department In charge of the nation’s defense Treasury Department In charge of the nation’s economy Department of Justice Enforces the laws Postal Service 7

Assembling a Cabinet The president’s cabinet consists of the heads of these departments Secretary of State Secretary of War Secretary of the Treasury Attorney General 8

Discuss with your neighbor What departments did Congress create to help the President? 9

The Nation’s Finances What financial problems faced the new nations? 10

The Nation’s Finance Alexander Hamilton Secretary of Treasury Washington gave Hamilton the task of straightening out the nation’s finances. Main issue was the government’s war debts 11

War Debts The United States owed money to Spain, France, and the Netherlands. Owed money to private citizens Soldiers Received bonds-certificates that promised payment plus interest Foreign and Domestic Debt totaled $52 million 12

Hamilton’s Political Views Believed in a strong central government National government should be stronger than the states Government should encourage business and industry The nation’s prosperity depended on the support of the nation’s wealthy merchants and manufacturers Since the government owed these men money, he believed paying them back would win their support for the new government 13

Hamilton’s Plan Hamilton Proposed 3 steps to improve the nation’s prosperity and to strengthen the national government 1) Pay off all war debts 2) Raising government revenues 3)Creating a national bank He also wanted the federal government to pay off the states’ war debts 14

Building a Strong Government Hamilton favored tariffs to raise revenue Tariffs raise money for the government Encourage the growth of national business Tariffs kept income flowing to the government Also encouraged people to buy American goods Hamilton also wanted to create a national bank Would provide a safe place to keep money 15

Hamilton also wanted to create a national bank Would provide a safe place to keep money Would make loans to business and governments Issue bank notes-paper that could be used as money 16

Hamilton’s Opponents Jefferson and Madison opposed a national bank Believed it would encourage an unhealthy partnership between the government and wealthy business interests Jefferson believed a national bank should not be created since the constitution did not mention it 17

Hamilton’s Opponents Hamilton vs. Jefferson Hamilton believed in a “loose” interpretation of the Constitution Favors greater federal powers Argued his case using the “Elastic Clause” if the Constitution Congress could do whatever is “necessary and proper” to carry out its specific powers Jefferson believed in a “strict” interpretation of the Constitution Federal government has limited powers 18

The National Bank Washington sided with Hamilton The Bank of the United States was established in

Tell your neighbor What were the three steps Hamilton proposed to improve the nation’s finances? 20