Starter 1) What are the qualities of a good leader? 2) Rank the presidents that you remember in order from best to worst.

The Washington Era

The Building of a Government  In 1789, George Washington was unanimously elected by the newly formed Electoral College.  Since he was the first, Washington was able to set many precedents – actions that would become ‘tradition’ by later presidents.  First to set up a Cabinet : a group of advisors who headed the executive departments;  Added ‘so help me God’ to the inaugural oath;  Wanted to be addressed as ‘Mr. President’.  Served two terms.  Under Washington, the Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed, allowing for the formation of the courts system.

Washington’s Cabinet

Hamilton’s Plan  As the Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton was tasked with paying off the new nation’s debt.  So, Hamilton came up with a four-part plan to both pay off the debt, and build the nation’s credibility and reach economic security.  Pay off all foreign debt and interest  Federal government would assume the state’s debts  Impose a tax on whiskey and tariffs (taxes on imported goods)  Create a national bank and national currency  In order to get Hamilton’s Plan passed, a compromise had to be reached.  The compromise was that in ten years’ time, the nation’s capital would be moved to Washington, D.C.

Emerging Political Parties  Not everyone was on board with Hamilton’s Plan, and it greatly intensified the differences between the Federalists and Anti- Federalists. FederalistsDemocratic-Republicans -Hamilton and Adams-Jefferson and Madison -Want a strong central gov.-Favor states’ rights -Economy should be based on trade and industry -Economy should be based on farming -Pro-British-Pro-French -Favored loose construction-Favored strict construction

Domestic Issues  While the government was starting to establish itself, Washington was confronted with his first major issue as president– Native American attacks on settlers in the Northwest Territory.  The British were providing weapons to the Native Americans. In a display of force, Washington used federal troops to defeat the Native Americans at the Battle of Fallen Timbers.  Native Americans were forced to yield land (mainly in Ohio) to the U.S. government.

Foreign Issues  While Washington was quick to act on domestic issues, he was more hesitant when it came to foreign troubles.  Although the French had aided the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, when the rebels went after all monarchies in Europe (including Britain), the U.S. divided.  The Federalists wanted to support Britain, the D-Rs: France.  Recognizing that the U.S. was too young to get involved in another war, Washington declared neutrality (another precedent).  In an attempt to avoid war, Washington did approve the formation of treaties with European countries– Great Britain and Spain.

Foreign Treaties Jay’s TreatyPinckney’s Treaty U.S. would provideMoney owed in prewar debts Enact a northern border to Florida (Spanish territory) Foreign country would give up Forts on American soilAccess to Mississippi River and New Orleans

The XYZ Affair  After Washington left office, his vice-president, John Adams became the new president.  After the Jay Treaty was signed, the French were upset that the U.S. seemed to align with the British.  Adams sent envoys to France to negotiate a peaceful solution.  Instead of reaching a solution, the French officials demanded $250,000 in bribes and wanted to humiliate the U.S. This became known as the XYZ Affair.  Public sentiment against France grew more negative, and to pay for Adams’ expansion of the military (to go after French ships), taxes increased.

Adams’ response  The Federalists passed the Alien and Sedition Acts to target those who spoke out negatively against the government.  In response to the passage of these acts, certain states deemed the Sedition Act unconstitutional.  Written by Jefferson and Madison, the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions insinuated that states had the power to declare federal laws unconstitutional.  This was the first major push for states’ rights in the nation’s short history.

The Election of 1800  After angering both Federalists and D-Rs, Adams had no hope of being re-elected.  In a turn of events, Jefferson and his running-mate, Aaron Burr, tied in electoral votes.  The Constitution did not include a provision for deciding between electoral votes. The vote went to the House of Representatives.  Hamilton disliked Burr, so he rallied support for Jefferson.  The 12 th amendment, added in 1804, requires electors to vote separately for president and vice-president.  Burr was upset at his loss, and ultimately killed Hamilton in a duel.