1. Washington Takes Office
George Washington's actions as the first President of the united states served as an example for all the presidents who followed him in office

2. The First President - February the Electoral College unanimously votes George Washington to be President. (only time that has happened) -April 1789 – Washington inaugurated in New York City

3. The President’s Cabinet
Congress created different departments in the Executive Branch
Washington chose one person to lead each department
Thomas Jefferson – Secretary of State
Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of the Treasury
Henry Knox – Secretary of War
Edmund Randolph – Attorney General
The Cabinet is an example of a practice begun by Washington that has continued

4. First Political Parties
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton had many disagreements
Followers of Jefferson – Democratic-Republicans
Followers of Hamilton - Federalists

5. Building a Strong Economy
Hamilton wanted a national bank to hold the government’s money
Issued paper money accepted throughout = standard currency
easier to trade with people in different states
Hamilton also had the government pay war debts
Hamilton supported tariffs (tax on imported goods), not accepted by Congress

6. A New Capital
In 1790, a capital was wanted that was not part of an existing city
George Washington chose the location on the Potomac River
Washington, District of Columbia is not part of any state
French engineer, Pierre-Charles L’Enfant designed the city
Second President John Adams moved into the President’s Palace, later the White House, when it was unfinished