1. America’s First President
George Washington set many precedents while in office
Watch the following film clip and identify the precedents set

2. Problems during the Washington Administration
(1789 – 1797)

3. The French Revolution
U.S. and France had signed Treaty of Alliance in 1778 – help to US during American Revolution;
France expected US help during the French Revolution
1793 – President Washington issued Proclamation of Neutrality – not in the best interest of US to choose sides in French Revolution

4. Treaty with Spain Spain controlled Florida and Louisiana Territory
Pinckney Treaty (Treaty of San Lorenzo)- 1795
Spain gave up claims to land east of Mississippi River (except Florida)
31st parallel boundary
Allowed Americans to use Mississippi River and port at New Orleans (right of deposit)

6. Problems with Native Americans
Native Americans did not recognize the terms of the Treaty of Paris (1783) & wanted to negotiate with US government over tribal claims
US military forces defeated the Miami Confederacy at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, ending Native American resistance in Ohio
Treaty of Greenville – Miami agreed to give up land in Ohio in exchange for $20,000 in goods, and annual payment of $10,000.

7. Jay’s Treaty
Negotiated by John Jay (1794) in attempt to resolve issue of British forts that remained in Northwest Territory
British agreed to evacuate these forts
Very unpopular with Americans but it did prevent war between US and Great Britain

8. What precedents were set during Washington’s Administration?
Washington named a cabinet of advisors
Jefferson was named Secretary of State
Hamilton was appointed Secretary of the Treasury
Knox became Secretary of War
Randolph was named Attorney General

9. Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789
Created 13 Federal District Courts
Created 3 Circuit Courts of Appeal
Supreme Court would have 1 Chief Justice and 5 Associate Justices
Allowed state court decisions to be appealed to federal court when constitutional issues were raised.
Gave the Supreme Court the power to issue a writ of mandamus (power to order government official to perform duties)

10. Hamilton helped develop a financial plan for the new nation
Federal assumption of the state debt and full payment of all debt
Creation of a Bank of the United States
Protective tariffs to encourage American industries
Excise taxes to raise money (excise tax on whiskey)

11. Controversy Resolved through Compromise
Some states objected to the Federal government’s plan to assume payment of the state debt
In a compromise, the states agreed to the repayment of the debt in exchange for relocating the nation’s capital from New York City temporarily to Philadelphia and then to the current location in the District of Columbia

12. The Whiskey Rebellion
Farmers in western Pennsylvania refused to pay the excise tax on Whiskey
Washington accompanied the troops into Pennsylvania to stop the rebellion and collect the tax by force if necessary
The rebellion collapsed when troops arrived

13. Compare Shays’ Rebellion and the Whiskey Rebellion
During Shays’ Rebellion the national government did not have the power to stop the rebellion
(no national army, no national executive)
The Whiskey Rebellion demonstrated that the new government under the Constitution did have the power to enforce its laws, with force if necessary

14. Differing Political Opinions – Views on Government
Hamilton
Strong central gov’t
Gov’t by “the rich, the well-born, and the able”
Jefferson
Strong state gov’t
Limit power of national gov’t
“The Common Man”

15. Funding debts (National & State)
Hamilton
Full payment of federal & state debt
Establish good credit
Jefferson
Pay only national debt
Don’t interfere with state rights

16. Bank of the United States
Hamilton
Support BUS
Use the elastic clause to stretch money related powers
“loose interpretation”
Jefferson
Opposed BUS
Not in Constitution
Would favor wealthy
“Strict interpretation”

17. Excise Tax on Whiskey Hamilton Jefferson Support tax
Raise money to pay debt
Jefferson
Opposed tax
Would hurt common farmers’ incomes

18. Basis of the Economy
Hamilton
Industry
Jefferson
Agriculture

19. Protective Tariff Hamilton Supported Jefferson Opposed –
would protect American industries from foreign competition
Jefferson
Opposed –
would raise prices and wouldn’t benefit common man

20. Response to the French Revolution
Hamilton
Support British – value of trade
Avoid too much democracy
Jefferson
Support French – we inspired ideas of democracy

21. Political Party most closely associated with
Hamilton
Federalist
Jefferson
Democratic-Republican

22. Washington set precedents in foreign policy
Issued the Proclamation of Neutrality in 1793 during the ongoing French Revolution
Neutrality and Isolation become the basis of U.S. Foreign Policy for the next 150 years

23. Washington’s Foreign Policy (continued)
Treaties signed with England and Spain were intended to maintain peace for the United States
Jay’s Treaty with Britain did little to remove British troops from U.S. soil but kept the U.S. out of war
Pinckney’s Treaty with Spain established the right of the U.S. to use the Mississippi River and “right of deposit” at New Orleans

24. Foreign Policy Miami Confederacy
Use of military force to break the Native American power and allow westward expansion and settlement

25. Washington’s Foreign Policy (continued)
Washington’s Farewell Address warned the country of 2 concerns
Avoid political parties – they tend to divide the country
Avoid “entangling” alliances – short term, temporary alliances are better for the country

26. The 2-term Presidency
Washington set the precedent of serving only 2 terms and then retiring
This precedent was followed by every President up to FDR, who was elected for 4 terms in office
In 1951, the 22nd Amendment to the U.S Constitution made the 2-term Presidency a part of the written Constitution

27. American History: “Portraits of Power” (video clip)

28. Why do you think historians rate Washington a “great” President?