1. Precedents and Major Events as President
George Washington
Precedents and Major Events as President

2. Precedents
The role of the President was not clearly defined by the Constitution. Washington’s term, and actions taken during his term, would serve as future examples on the ways in which presidents would act and carry out their jobs. Precedent: Actions/Decisions that serve as later examples.

3. What were his Precedents? Major Precedents
-Appointing a cabinet to offer advice. -Calling of the department heads (secretaries) for meetings and advice (known as the cabinet). -Neutrality in Foreign Affairs (no alliances with foreign nations at war). – war between France and Britain. -Central government (executive department) will use force to enforce the laws of the nation (carrying out his duty to see that laws are faithfully executed). – Whiskey Rebellion.

4. Major Precedents Continued
-2 term presidency (later made law by the 22nd amendment). – stepping down voluntarily. -Executive privilege (the president can withhold certain information from congress and the public if he/she thinks it could be dangerous or a problem to the functioning of the executive branch to reveal the information). – refuses to hand over documents relating to the Jay Treaty. -President and executive branch going solo (mostly) in regards to foreign affairs.

5. Other Precedents
-Inauguration and farewell speeches. -Being called “Mr. President”. – doesn’t want to sound like a king. -Saying, “So help me God” after taking the oath of office. -State of the Union Address. – addressing the nation on what is happening in the government, country, world, etc. -Strong Leadership.

6. Are any of these precedents still followed today?
-Most are except… -Neutrality in Foreign Affairs?

7. Major Events: Neutrality Proclamation
Neutrality Proclamation- Washington declared that the U.S. would be neutral in the war between Britain and France (during the French Revolutionary War).
Democratic-Republicans (the party of Madison and Jefferson) say proclamation violates treaty with France
Also say it’s unconstitutional (declaration of no war can only be made by Congress)
Debates further split Democratic-Republicans and Federalists (the party of John Adams and Alexander Hamilton).

8. Jay’s Treaty Relations with U.S. and Britain are poor
British still occupy forts in American west, they are impressing (capturing sailors to help fight in War), they are confiscating U.S. ships and supplies.
Americans pass trade laws that hurt Britain.
Solution=Jay Treaty (negotiated by John Jay)
British will leave American forts, compensate Americans for lost shipping, allow Americans to trade in Britain and East Indies.
Americans will pay back debts owed to the British.

9. Reception Further angered Democratic-Republicans
Saw it as an alliance with Britain and the U.S. turning it’s back on France
-Did not address impressments of U.S. sailors
-Did not address Britain’s encouragement of Native Americans to attack Western settlers
-French ships start attacking U.S. ships (angry with Treaty).

10. Pinckney’s Treaty
-Gave U.S. access to the Mississippi River and the Port of New Orleans. -Also, settled disputes over U.S./Spanish border area.