The Early Republic Unit 3

Quick review of leadership during the American Revolutionary War Some people were afraid Washington might become King Some people were afraid Washington might become King Some people wanted Washington to become King Some people wanted Washington to become King Some people wanted government to be controlled by the wealthy (Alexander Hamilton) Some people wanted government to be controlled by the wealthy (Alexander Hamilton) Some people wanted government to be controlled by all people (regardless of WHO they were) (Thomas Jefferson) Some people wanted government to be controlled by all people (regardless of WHO they were) (Thomas Jefferson)

Where do you see yourself 20 years from now? Job Job Family Family Education Education Life style Life style Where you ’ ll be living Where you ’ ll be living Kind of place you ’ ll live in Kind of place you ’ ll live in Things you ’ ll do for fun Things you ’ ll do for fun

You will soon be at a “ crossroads ” You have a lot of decisions to make in the next year or two that may greatly affect how your life will turn out. You have a lot of decisions to make in the next year or two that may greatly affect how your life will turn out. In 1789: America was at a crossroads In 1789: America was at a crossroads America chose George Washington to get them started – unanimously and he was inaugurated on April 30 th, 1789 America chose George Washington to get them started – unanimously and he was inaugurated on April 30 th, 1789 (sworn into office) (sworn into office)

George Washington and…. why is he so famous? George Washington and…. why is he so famous? Commander of the Colonial Armed Forces during the American Revolution Commander of the Colonial Armed Forces during the American Revolution President of the Constitutional Convention President of the Constitutional Convention Dad died when George was 11 Dad died when George was 11 Raised by his ½ brothers Raised by his ½ brothers No college education No college education Married a wealthy widow Married a wealthy widow Had 2 adopted children – Had 2 adopted children – no direct descendants no direct descendants More…………. More………….

Also… Also… Not considered brilliant, but knew how to choose capable people (set up a group of “advisors”) Not considered brilliant, but knew how to choose capable people (set up a group of “advisors”) Had a great deal of respect from everyone Had a great deal of respect from everyone (including the tradition that no one should be president more than twice – which set a precedent (including the tradition that no one should be president more than twice – which set a precedent Very honest – and a great sense of responsibility Very honest – and a great sense of responsibility A “life of the party” kind of man A “life of the party” kind of man Something that happens that gets repeated over and over. Something that happens that gets repeated over and over.

Washington knew he wouldn ’ t be able to take care of everything that was going on in the entire country at once So he hired some advisors So he hired some advisors These became his “ cabinet ” These became his “ cabinet ” At first there were only three, and a fourth to help with legal matters At first there were only three, and a fourth to help with legal matters Secretary of Defense – led by Henry Knox Secretary of Defense – led by Henry Knox Secretary of the Treasury – Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury – Alexander Hamilton Secretary of State – Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State – Thomas Jefferson Attorney General – Edmund Randolph Attorney General – Edmund Randolph

One of Washington ’ s advisors: Alexander Hamilton America had money problems America had money problems Hamilton was a financial genius – he set up our country ’ s financial system Hamilton was a financial genius – he set up our country ’ s financial system He decided he could raise money through tariffs, taxes, and excise taxes He decided he could raise money through tariffs, taxes, and excise taxes A tax on goods brought A tax on goods brought into the country

We still use Hamilton ’ s banking system today Today it ’ s called: The Federal Reserve System Today it ’ s called: The Federal Reserve System It ’ s actually 12 banks - each regulated by a group (appointed by the president) in Washington D.C. It ’ s actually 12 banks - each regulated by a group (appointed by the president) in Washington D.C. They manage the country ’ s money supply. They manage the country ’ s money supply. You especially hear of them when they change lending rates – to either fight inflation, or to encourage business growth at “ down ” times. You especially hear of them when they change lending rates – to either fight inflation, or to encourage business growth at “ down ” times.

Sometimes you may see related items in the news Ben Bernanke and Alan Greenspan

Some of these people have HUGE arguments over the constitution Others favor a loose interpretation of the Constitution and the government can use whatever’s ‘reasonable and proper” to carry out that power Others favor a loose interpretation of the Constitution and the government can use whatever’s ‘reasonable and proper” to carry out that power Some people favor a strict interpretation of the Constitution: That the government only has the powers the constitution says it has (These are some of the things they argue about on the political TV shows)