1. Washington’s Presidency
Chapter 9.1
Washington’s Presidency

2. Washington Takes Office
George Washington inaugurated, sworn in, as 1st U.S. President (1789)
John Adams, first vice-president
Washington knows every action as president will set a precedent
Congress agrees to call Washington “Mr. President”

3. Setting Up the Courts Congress passes the Federal Judiciary Act (1789)
Gives Supreme Court six members:
1 chief justice or judge
5 associate judges
The number of judges later grows to nine
Act also provides for lower federal courts
John Jay is named chief justice

4. Washington’s Cabinet
Congress creates 3 departments to help the president:
war department
state department
treasury department
Heads of departments are president’s cabinet

5. Washington’s Cabinet con’t
Secretary of war, Henry Knox, oversees the nation’s defense
Secretary of state, Thomas Jefferson, oversees diplomatic relations
Secretary of the treasury, Alexander Hamilton, manages U.S. finances
Attorney general, Edmund Randolph, gives legal advice

6. Economic Problems By 1789, U.S. has huge national debt—$52 million
U.S. must pay debt to gain respect of other countries
Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan shows his belief in:
a strong central government
government encouraging business, industry
pay debt to nation’s wealthy, gain their support for government

7. Hamilton’s Financial Plan
Alexander Hamilton proposes 3-step financial plan to Congress (1790)
pay off all war debts
raise government revenues
create a national bank
Many southern states have paid war debts, northern states have not
To gain southern support, U.S. agrees to place capital in South

8. Continued Hamilton’s Financial Plan
Hamilton supports tariffs (tax on imported goods) because:
raises money for U.S. government
encourages growth of U.S. industry
encourages people to buy American goods
Hamilton calls for National bank, safe for government investments
Bank would make loans to businesses, issue bank notes

9. Interpreting the Constitution
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison against a national bank
Claim that the Constitution does not allow for a national bank
Alexander Hamilton has more flexible interpretation of Constitution
Claims Congress has power to set up bank
George Washington approves a national bank (1791)