1. Early Republic A New Nation

2. America’s 1st President
George Washington
America’s 1st President

3. Section 1 – The First President Taking office…
Washington was the top vote getter
2nd runner up was John Adams – becomes the Vice-President
April 30, 1789 – inaugurated/sworn in New York City
Inauguration – the ceremony in which the President takes the oath of office

4. Taking office…
All eyes were on him – everything he did set a precedent for following presidents
Precedent – an act or a decision that sets an example for others to follow.
Congress decided to call him
“Mr. President”

5. Washington faced several major challenges as he worked to create a functioning federal republic as he worked to establish the foreign and domestic policies for the United States
Define the authority of the central government
Create a stable economic system
Build a military
Maintain national security
Conduct foreign relations
Enter into treaties with Indian tribes

6. The First Cabinet…
Congress created departments to help the President lead the nation
Secretary of War
Secretary of Treasury
Secretary of State
Attorney General

8. Economic Problems… $54 million in national debt
National debt: the total amount of money that a government owes to others
Hamilton created a plan that reflected his belief in a strong central government
Thought that the government should encourage business and industry (free enterprise)

9. Hamilton’s Financial Plan (as Secretary of Treasury)
Pay off all war debts
Create a national bank
Establish a whiskey tax
Create protective tariffs
Establish the nation’s credit
Place to deposit collected taxes
Led to Whiskey Rebellion
Ended up hurting American businesses and farmers

10. Hamilton’s Financial Plan (as Secretary of Treasury)
He also promised to build a new capital city in Virginia (later named Washington DC)

11. Hamilton’s Financial Plan (as Secretary of Treasury)
The only part of Hamilton’s plan that was not approved was the protective tariff

12. THOUGHT SPOT
Imagine you are a representative in Congress in Would you have supported Hamilton’s financial plan? Why or why not?

13. Conflict
Madison and Jefferson believed Hamilton’s plan would only benefit the wealthy
They also believed the Constitution did not give the federal government the right to create a national bank
A rift begins to form among Washington’s government officials, and
political parties begin to arise

14. First 2 Political Parties
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans (often called just Republicans)

15. Causes Differences philosophy of government
interpretation of Constitution
economic interests
perspective on foreign affairs

16. Effects 2 parties can propose different solutions
Each party nominates candidates
Political parties become a way of American life

17. Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Main Party Leaders
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
Alexander Hamilton, John Adams
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison

18. Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Constitutional Views
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
“Loose” – should take necessary steps to govern the nation
“Strict” – should only have powers stated in the Constitution

19. Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Views on Government
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
Favored a strong national government
Favored states’ rights

20. Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Views on Foreign Policy
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
Pro-British – feared mob rule
Pro-French – sympathized with the want for freedom

21. Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Main Supporters
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
Merchants and manufacturers (wealthy)
Farmers and skilled craftsmen

22. Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Who Should Vote
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
Only those who own property (wealthy)
Open to all adult males

23. Whiskey Rebellion…
Farmers living west of the Appalachian Mountains often converted their excess grain into whiskey, which was easier to carry over the mountains than bushels of grain
The new federal whiskey tax imposed by Congress caused great hostility among them

24. Whiskey Rebellion…
Farmers in western Pennsylvania refused to pay the tax and threatened tax collectors
Washington quickly called up the militia to put down the rebellion
Washington was ready to use force, but the rebel farmers fled before any fighting took place
Proved the federal government was not afraid to use military force to enforce the law

25. Whiskey Rebellion…
The WHISKEY REBELLION tested the will of the new government. Washington’s quick response proved to Americans that their new government would act firmly in times of crisis. The President also showed those who disagreed with the government that violence would not be tolerated.

26. THOUGHT SPOT
How were Shays’ Rebellion and the Whiskey Rebellion handled differently? Explain your answer.
Watch video

27. Setting Up the Courts…
Constitution created the Supreme Court but left many things for Congress to decide, such as…
the # of justices
how much power the Supreme Court would have
creation of the federal court system

28. Judiciary Act of 1789
Set up federal courts with the power to reverse state court decisions
Washington named John Jay as the first Chief Justice

29. Washington’s Foreign Policy & the French Revolution 1789
French farmers and poor – rebelled against King and Queen (who were beheaded)
French people wanted a constitution with rights — like the US had
America’s success in the American Revolution influenced the French Revolution

30. Washington’s Foreign Policy & the French Revolution 1789
France declared war on Britain in 1793
US was put in an awkward position
Jefferson – US should help because the French helped us in the American Revolution
Hamilton – but Britain’s trade was too important to risk for war

31. Washington’s Foreign Policy & the French Revolution 1789
Washington issued the Proclamation of Neutrality in April 1793
Stated that US would not get involved in European affairs
President Washington refused to help the French against their government
This was a defeat to Jefferson; this along with other defeats led Jefferson to leave the cabinet

32. Most Important Precedent…
Refused to run 3rd term
Worried the executive branch would be too powerful
Followed until 1940

33. Washington Retires Served from 1789-1797
Greatly admired by the American people
8 years in office
created national unity
2nd term – difficult due to
splits in political ideology

34. Farewell Advice – AVOID PDA!
US should remain neutral dealing with other countries – avoid alliances
Political differences could weaken the nation – DO NOT split into political parties!
Avoid national debt

35. Washington’s Farewell Address
“ Tis our true policy to steer clear of
permanent Alliances, with any portion of the
foreign nations … to have them as little
political connection as possible.”
– George Washington
Farewell Address, 1796
Washington did not oppose foreign trade,
but rejected alliances that could drag the
nation into war. His advice guided foreign
policy for many years!