1. Do Now:
Explain the criteria (qualities) that you want in your president.
Vision, Pragmatism, Consensus, Charisma, and Trust
WHO DO YOU WANT SITTING
IN THIS DESK?????

2. The Presidency of George Washington 1789 - 1797

3. “How did Americans welcome the new president?”
Although unanimously elected, George Washington was not looking forward to being the first president of the United States. He had hoped to return to a quiet life on his farm after the war and was running short of money. He had to borrow to pay for the trip from his home in Virginia to the nation’s temporary capital in New York. But as the great general passed through towns, crowds cheered and men rode along beside him. He stopped to make speeches and people invited him to lavish dinners in their homes. The celebration peaked with the first presidential inauguration.

4. 1790 Census Total US Population – 3,929,625
Black Population – 697,624 slaves, 59,557 free blacks
Largest City is Philadelphia – 42,000
New York 2nd – 33,000
Virginia is most populated state – 820,000
48.5% of population lives in the South
490 of every 1,000 whites is under 16 years old

5. Why is Washington’s Presidency Important?
Washington was the first president
He knew his actions would help to shape the new federal government
His actions set a precedent for future presidents to follow

6. Washington’s Presidency was dominated by three major issues:
Defining Federalism – the scope and power of the national government vs. that of state governments.
Foreign Policy – The United States’ relationship with European powers.
Westward Expansion – Protecting Americans as they moved west and maintaining access to vital transportation routes controlled by European powers.

7. Article II of the United States Constitution
The Executive Power shall be vested in a President…
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States…he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices…he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States…He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law.

8. Precedents of Washington
What to call the President?
Mr. President
Sets his own style
Each has his own
Cabinet
Vice President has no official duties
President acts independent from Congress
President advices Congress

9. Washington’s Presidency – Domestic Issues
Problems
Government on paper, but not practiced
Set Precedents
Cabinet
Supreme Court
Term Limits
Debt - $80 Million
Taxes and Tariffs
Bank of the United States
Using the Constitution
Whiskey Rebellion
Indian Attacks

10. Washington’s Cabinet
Department of State – Foreign Affairs – Thomas Jefferson
Department of Treasury – Financial Affairs – Alexander Hamilton
Department of War – Military Affairs – Henry Knox
Attorney General – Legal Affairs – Edmund Randolph

11. Supreme Court Judiciary Act of 1789
Supreme Court – 1 Chief Justice, 5 judges
Set up 13 district courts
Section 25 – State Court Decisions can be appealed to Federal Courts
Federal Law = “Supreme Law of the Land”

12. Why do we have political parties
Why do we have political parties? Are they good or bad for the government?

13. Two views of the Constitution:
Strict construction: the government should do only what the Constitution specifically states it can do
Loose construction: the government can take reasonable actions that are not outlined in the Constitution—as long as those actions are not specifically prohibited.

14. Rise of Political Parties
Federalists
Led by Alexander Hamilton
Strong Central Government led by industry and wealth
Emphasis on shipping and manufacturing
Loose interpretation of Constitution
Favored National Bank
Pro – British (90% of our stuff is from there – DON’T MAKE THEM MAD)
Democratic – Republicans
Led by Thomas Jefferson
Strong State Government “Common Man”
Emphasis on Agriculture
Strict Interpretation of Constitution
Opposed National Bank
Pro – French (They helped up and we have the same cause – FREEDOM)

15. Hamilton’s Financial Plan
Gov. should take on all debt
Pay off war debt to develop trust with other nations
Raise the government’s revenues through tariffs and taxes
Tariffs would encourage growth of American Industry
Create a National Bank with national currency

16. Bank of the United States
Hamilton
Safe place to deposit and transfer money
Provides loans to government and the state
$$$$$
People will invest
Constitution didn’t forbid it
Some debt = good
Jefferson
Against the Constitution
State banks would collapse
Only rich and afford to invest
Hurt the “Common Man”
South already paid back its debts
Federalist allow capital to be made on Potomac
Who do you Agree with? Would you have sided with Hamilton or Jefferson?

17. Excise Tax
Excise tax, 1791, taxed the production or sale of liquor, sugar, snuff, and carriages
The excise tax led to a violent clash between supporters and opponents of strong government.
Settlers in the western frontier felt their interests were ignored by the government.

18. Whiskey Rebellion
In 1794 farmers on the western Pennsylvania frontier objected to the excise tax on whiskey.
Their livelihoods depended on turning surplus grain into rye whiskey.
Farmers attacked tax collectors and burned barns of people who gave away the locations of their whiskey stills.
A crowd of more than 2,000 angry farmers threatened Pittsburgh.
There was talk of setting up an independent nation.

19. Whiskey Rebellion is Shutdown!
After the farmers ignored Washington’s orders to stop the rebellion, Washington and Hamilton led a force of some 13,000 or more men into Pennsylvania.
The farmers scattered in all directions instead of resisting the militia.
They were caught and arrested; two were convicted of treason, but Washington eventually pardoned them.

20. Problems with Native Americans
Native Americans resist settlers going West
British troops encourage resistance
Battle of Fallen Timbers – Gen. “Mad” Anthony Wayne beats Native Americans
Treaty of Greenville – N.A give up land for less value

21. How might Jay’s Treaty and Pinckney’s Treaty have helped the United States remain neutral?

22. Neutrality VS Great Britain and France were at war with one another
Each nation wanted the U.S. to support them against the other
George Washington felt the best thing for the U.S. to do was to take a course of neutrality

23. Foreign Issues Jay’s Treaty – 1793 – Great Britain
Forts for Debts
Picnkey’s Treaty – 1795 – Spain
Opens up Miss. River
SECURE WESTERN EXPANSION
French Revolution
France asks for help in war against England
Neutrality Act – GW warns the new country to stay neutral

24. Tensions with British rise… again
In early 1794 the British began seizing American merchant ships.
British claimed the ships carried French goods or were sailing to a French port.
American sailors were thrown into British prisons.
The British were stirring up trouble among the Native Americans in the Northwest Territory.

25. Jay’s Treaty John Jay negotiated Jay’s Treaty with the British.
British would pay for damages to American ships.
British would leave their forts in the Northwest Territory.
The United States would pay debts owed to Britain.

26. Pinckney’s Treaty
Thomas Pinckney negotiated Pinckney’s Treaty with Spain and settled many border disputes between the United States and Spain.

27. Washington’s Farewell
Only two terms (22nd Amendment)
STAY OUT OF PERMINANT ALLIANCES
STAY OUT EUROPEAN WARS
Avoid Extreme Partisanship AKA political parties
Was Washington right? How will this impact future presidents?
Do we listen to him today???

28. Evaluate Washington on the 5 key presidential qualities
Vision
Pragmatism
Consensus
Trust
Charisma
Give Washington a score (1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest) on each category and be ready to explain your score