1. George Washington’s Biography
Video Clip

2. George Washington’s Presidency
April 30, 1789 Washington (Virginia) is inaugurated (sworn in) as President.
John Adams (Mass.) becomes the Vice-President.

3. George Washington’s Presidency
Washington establishes many presidential precedents.
PRECEDENT: an example that would become a standard practice.

4. Title – What was he called
Congress agrees to call Washington “Mr. President”
(even though some wanted a title such as your “His High Mightiness “)

5. Leadership Style- Formal
Wore his sword
Bowed instead of shaking hands
Stood on a platform to greet visitors

6. Establishment of the Presidential Cabinet
The Constitution allows Congress to create departments to help the President – the Cabinet.
The first Presidential Cabinet had four departments:

7. The First Presidential Cabinet
Secretary of State (Thomas Jefferson) oversee the relations between the U.S. and other countries.

8. The First Presidential Cabinet
Secretary of War (Henry Knox) oversee the nation’s defenses.

9. The First Presidential Cabinet
Secretary of the Treasury (Alexander Hamilton) to manage the government’s money.

10. The First Presidential Cabinet
Attorney General (Edmond Randolph) to advise the government on legal matters.

11. Terms in Office
Washington chose to only serve two terms and then return home. This was followed by presidents for the most part up until the early 1900’s

12. Farewell Address
last formal address as President of the US in which the out going President gives advice to future presidents.
Warned against political parties
Urged US to remain neutral
Don’t OVERTAX the American people!

13. Washington’s Foreign and Domestic Policy
Foreign Policy – Policies or decisions dealing with other (foreign) countries.
Domestic Policy – Policies or decisions dealing with issues within the country.

14. Foreign Policies

15. US is Neutral (taking neither side in conflict)
The United States would not get involved in the War between France and Britain
Neutrality – the U.S. would not side with any European country in wartime
Believed the United States was too fragile to get involved.

16. Ohio River Valley
British forts in the Ohio River Valley were not evacuated (still occupied by British Soldiers) after the war.
Jay’s Treaty (1795) required the British to finally leave the US

17. Spanish Florida Pinckney’s Treaty
Americans can travel freely on the Mississippi River
No custom duties at the port of New Orleans
31st parallel is the northern border of Florida

18. Domestic Policies

19. Establishment of the Court System
Federal Judiciary Act of 1789: passed by Congress.
Created an independent federal court system with the Supreme Court and lower level District
courts.

20. The U.S. Supreme Court is to have a Chief Justice and five associate justices. Currently we have 9 total justices.
Washington appoints John Jay as Chief Justice.

21. MONEY Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury
Proposal to strengthen the economy (financial system)
National Taxes
National Bank
Protective Tariffs

22. Hamilton’s Financial Plan - Cont
Raise money through taxes-
Money would be used to pay off war debt and help stabilize the young country

23. Hamilton’s Financial Plan - Cont
Create a NATIONAL BANK:
safe place to keep the government’s money.
can make loans to businesses.
would issue paper currency.
strengthen the federal government.

24. Hamilton’s Financial Plan - Cont
Impose Tariffs (a tax) on imported goods
Raises money for US government
Encourage growth of US industry
Encourage people to buy American goods

25. Opposition to Hamilton’s plan
Led by James Madison & Thomas Jefferson
Many Southern states had paid off their debt and did not want to pay off northern states debts also
Southerners thought that northern speculators would get rich by buying up bonds
Southern states did not like a tariff because they had few factories and this meant they would pay higher prices for goods..

26. Compromise
If the Southerners voted for Hamilton’s plan he would push for a national capital in the South
1790 Hamilton’s financial plan is approved and the national capital is moved to an area between Maryland and Virginia along the Potomac River called the district of Columbia

27. Strength of the National Government
Excise Tax
Tax on production or sale of Luxury goods including:
Carriages
Whiskey

28. Whiskey Rebellion
Farmers protest – This was a means of raising money for them
Washington (as President) led 13,000 troops crush rebellion
National government proved its ability to enforce laws. (opposite of Shay’s Rebellion which proved that the national government COULD NOT enforce the law and protect the people)

29. Development of Political Parties
The original political parties formed over differences of opinion between two individuals in Washington’s Cabinet
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton
Political parties are basically a group of people who feel the same way about how the country should be run.

30. Federalists Led by Alexander Hamilton Supported a:
STRONG NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
national bank
LOOSE interpretation of the Constitution
Supported by industrialists
Protective tariffs
Friends with the British

31. Democratic-Republicans
Led by Thomas Jefferson
Supported a:
STRONG STATE GOVERNMENT
Supported State Banks
Strict interpretation of the Constitution
Supported by Farmers (COMMON FOLKS)
Free Trade (no tariffs)
Friends with France