Early Presidents – Some Key Events 1 st 4 Presidencies – –George Washington (no party) – –John Adams (Federalist) – –Thomas Jefferson (D-R) – –James Madison (D-R) –

President Washington’s Inauguration – 4/30/1789  Elected Unanimously  Adams was 2 nd = V.P.  Took the Oath at Federal Hall in NYC Claimed that becoming President gave him the most anxiety in his life (think about that…!)

Judiciary Act of 1789  We’ve discussed this one – it set the groundwork for all Court organization in the USA to this day

Creation of Washington D.C o Hamilton’s idea – a compromise “carrot” in return for Southern support (especially on the issue of National Bank) o Washington involved in the planning o 1 st to live there – John Adams st to serve entire term there -- Jefferson

The Whiskey Rebellion 1794 o Excise tax that affected Whiskey producers An excise tax is an internal tax on production of a good where a tariff is a tax on the importation of a good. Both were being utilized to raise revenue for the new government o Farmers in the grain producing regions of the US hated this tax o W. Pennsylvania had the most vocal and physical opposition o

Whiskey Rebellion Continued Washington and Hamilton lead armed troops to put down the rebellion No fighting takes place – several are arrested, none serve any significant time o Federal Power is maintained in this fragile time They make sure that Shays’ Rebellion in Massachusetts isn’t repeated

The French Revolution o Too much to take in here – another time in history class, but… French debt from wars (including Am. Rev) leave French general population in trouble Third Estate – National Assembly are the leaders of the revolt (non-royals) Revolution is successful in that it leads to the imprisonment and overthrow of the monarchy – including the guillotine death of Louis XVI

The French Revolution Napoleon eventually comes to power as a result of this struggle for power Americans are in VERY difficult situation throughout the Revolution  On one hand – French monarchy helped us become free  On the other hand – a break from monarchy for individual rights was exactly what the fight for American independence was all about! US declares official policy of Neutrality NEUTRAL

Jay’s Treaty 1794 o Part of an ongoing issue in Northwest Territory of the US Land West of Appalachian Mountains – into Ohio River Valley – South of and including Great Lakes regions, was under dispute. The Treaty of Paris of 1783 should have clarified the dispute. Debt was also at issue – the US owed $$ to Britain

Northwest Territory

Jay’s Continued Three Players for this land –  American people—including the government, but especially frontiersmen and trappers  British people – including the government, but only very minimally. The main call for use of this land was by groups of frontier British with ties to Canadian land. Native Americans – Many who had settled this land for generations. Some who had been pushed onto this land relatively recently. Some were at war with the American government

Jay’s III o John Jay negotiates the treaty where the British agree to withdraw for the land and the US agrees to work out debt and allow for some private usage of the land Native American tribes are the big loser in this agreement as the military attention can now be more directly aimed at them.

Washington’s Farewell Address -- 9/19/1796 o A letter to the American people and to posterity Message is timeless – read in Senate annually –Service –Commitment –Patriotism –Sacrifice –Compromise