1. The Early U.S. Presidents
Homework
President George Washington and President John Adams (Foreign/Domestic Policies, Presidential Events/Concerns)
The Unwritten Constitution and the first Political Parties

2. Here is What You’ll Learn!!!
President Washington and President Adam’s domestic and foreign policies.
How these Presidents and their views shaped America.
Key events and actions during these two Presidents terms.

3. Your task:
Develop an understanding of President Washington’s and President Adam’s impact on the development of U.S. foreign and domestic polices.
*These precedents will be
revisited throughout the year.
Essay skills:
Your introduction and conclusion are outlined below.
Your body paragraphs should have around 5 sentences; the intro sentence (when needed, but some are provided) followed by 2 or 3 supporting details sentences, and finally, a transition/concluding sentence. Follow the model provided.

4. What information are we looking for???
When reading, look for information pertaining to
Foreign Policies
Domestic Policies
Major U.S. Events or Actions during this Presidents term

5. Washington Domestic Policies & Events
Washington Foreign Policies & Events
Adam’s Domestic Policies & Events
Adam’s Foreign Policies & Events
Hamilton's Financial Plan (Nat’l Bank)
Cabinet
Excise Tax (Whiskey Rebellion)
Protective Tariff
Proclamation of Neutrality
Jay’s Treaty
Alien & Sedition Acts
Midnight Judges
Nullification
X,Y,Z Affair
Continuing Neutrality

6. What is Foreign and Domestic Policy?
Foreign Policy – The policy of a nation in regards to that nations relationship with another nation
Domestic Policy - the counterpart of foreign policy ; it consists of all government decisions, programs, and actions that primarily deal with internal matters (within the U.S.)

7. Washington’s Domestic Policies
Pay off the War debt to establish the credit of the nation.
Create a national bank for two reasons
Win the support of the business community
Help the government with all its financial dealings
Washington’s Domestic Policies
Excise Tax on Whiskey on raise operating revenues
4. Protective Tariff – Raises taxes on import to promote spending on U.S. products

8. Washington's Foreign Policies
Jay Treaty – Designed to keep the U.S. and Great Britain from going to war.
Proclamation of Neutrality – Steers the U.S. away from making political alliances; urges the U.S. to remain independent

9. Adams Foreign Policies
Keeps the U.S. neutral in foreign affairs.
Trying to settle disputes with France over the Jay Treaty, Adams sends official to France….THE X,Y,Z AFFAIR!!!!

10. The X,Y,Z Affair?
The French do not send their diplomats to meet the Americans but rather secret agents who try to get a bribe and get a loan out of the Americans!!! This outraged the Americans and this became known as the X,Y,Z Affair. This creates an Anti-French feeling in the Americas and involves the two in an undeclared war.

11. Adams Domestic Policies
Taking advantage of the emotion stirred by the French Revolution, Adams and his Federalist party passed the Alien and Sedation Acts which were designed to strengthen the Federalist and weaken the Republican opposition.

12. The Alien and Sedition Acts
Alien Act – Makes it harder to become a U.S. citizen and easier to arrest and deport non-citizens viewed as a threat to national security.
Sedition Act – Makes it easier to arrest a person whom criticizes the government.

13. Should the Alien and Sedition Act be considered unconstitutional????
(define: unconstitutional)

14. Well…
Protest were made against these acts saying that they are unconstitutional; challenging the Bill of Rights amendments for Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Speech.
These acts were dangerous to civil liberties and representative government.
These acts asserted the principle of Nullification – States have the right to deem void any act of Congress they see unconstitutional.

15. Washington Domestic Policies & Events
Washington Foreign Policies & Events
Adam’s Domestic Policies & Events
Adam’s Foreign Policies & Events
Hamilton's Financial Plan (Nat’l Bank)
Cabinet
Excise Tax (Whiskey Rebellion)
Protective Tariff
Proclamation of Neutrality
Jay’s Treaty
Alien & Sedition Acts
Midnight Judges
Nullification
X,Y,Z Affair
Continuing Neutrality

16. The Unwritten Constitution
George Washington served two terms as president ( ). More than any later president, Washington made decisions and adopted policies that profoundly influenced the nature of the American Government.
From the time of our first President, an UNWRITTEN CONSITUTION developed in response to changing time and circumstances.

17. The unwritten constitution is the collection of procedures adopted by our government that are solely acted upon out of tradition and custom. These procedures are NOT directed by the U.S. Constitution.

18. Executive Interpretation, Action, and Custom
The creation of the Presidential Cabinet – an informal meeting of the presidents advisors. These advisors give advice to the president when developing policy. Early presidents consulted with congressional leaders, but more than often, cabinet members are the heads of the executive departments.

19. Congressional Interpretation, Action, and Custom
Lobbying – Actions by people representing special interest groups for the purpose of influencing legislation. Lobbying is protected by the First Amendment’s right to petition but also regulated by federal law.
Loose vs. Strict Interpretation of the Constitution –
Strict – Constructionist favor a narrow interpretation of the constitution, holding that government can do only those things the document specifically spells out.
Loose - Constructionist favor a ‘freer reading of the constitution that gives government more room to act.
Congressional Interpretation, Action, and Custom

20. Judicial Interpretation of the Constitution
Judicial Review – the power for the judicial branch to declare laws ‘unconstitutional’ – laws that go against the fundamentals of the Constitution.

21. POLITICAL PARTIES The first two major political parties are
Federalists
Democratic – Republicans
How do the views of these two political parties differ?