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Washington elected President February 1789 John Adams became Vice President Inauguration Day – April 30, 1789 Washington took the Oath of Office in New York City Suit made of American broadcloth to encourage American business
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Washington gave a short speech and fireworks followed Washington & Congress went to a church service in Saint Paul’s Church WASHINGTON CHOOSES A CABINET 1789-Congress creates the first 3 executive departments 1) State—domestic and foreign affairs 2) Treasury—money and banking 3) War—military These departments became known as the President’s Cabinet
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Washington chose men he trusted Secretary of War—Henry Knox Secretary of State—Thomas Jefferson Secretary of the Treasury—Alexander Hamilton Attorney General—Edmund Randolph (President’s legal advisor) Washington & Adams were old opponents They avoided working closely with each other.
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The new government received pressure from Federalists and Anti-Federalists Federalists led by Hamilton Anti-Federalists led by Madison and Jefferson (This group became known as Jeffersonian Republicans)
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THE FIRST CONGRESS Only 10 states had joined the government— the first Congress was small Judiciary Act of 1789—Set up the Supreme Court 1 Chief Justice—John Jay 5 Associate Justices District Courts and Courts of Appeal were also created
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HAMILTON’S ECONOMIC PLAN 1) Federal Government would take on all Revolutionary War debt-both state and national Bonds had been sold to pay for the war People sold bonds to Speculators at less than face value because they needed money Government would pay face value for the bonds
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Speculators would make a profit Some people thought that was unfair IMPOSING NEW TAXES Constitution gave Congress the power to tax Tariff Act of 1789—tax on imported goods Excise Tax (1791)—liquor, sugar, snuff, carriages Very unpopular
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Hamilton’s plan to pay off war debt was controversial. The North had more debt than the South Southern states didn’t want to pay off Northern debt Congress rejected this policy several times
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COMPROMISE LEADS TO A NEW CAPITAL Hamilton tries to change Jefferson’s and Madison’s minds Over dinner, they crafted a compromise 1790-US Capitol moved from New York to Philadelphia By 1800-Capitol would move to a new federal city in the South Southern congressman would pass Hamilton’s economic plan
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New city on Potomac River between VA and MD March 1791—Washington chose French engineer, Pierre Charles L’Enfant to plan the layout of the new capitol Mathematician Benjamin Banneker, an African-American, was appointed to the planning commission at Jefferson’s request.
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Washington like L’Enfant’s plan but Jefferson thought it should be simpler L’Enfant was eventually dismissed from the project but his plan was followed
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strict construction vs. loose construction HAMILTON’S BANK PLAN Article I, Section 8 listed a number of specific, or expressed powers Hamilton’s bank was example of loose construction (any law necessary or proper)
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JEFFERSON OPPOSES THE BANK He wanted smaller central government WASHINGTON SIGNS THE BANK BILL Madison, Jefferson, and Randolph oppose Washington “greatly perplexed” but didn’t want to veto bank bill Bank of the United States created February 1791
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THE WHISKEY REBELLION 1794-Farmers in western PA violently opposed Hamilton’s excise tax on whiskey Rebel farmers rebelled—tax collectors attacked, barns of tattle-tails burned A crowd of >2,000 threatened Pittsburgh There was talk of an independent nation
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Washington took control Rebellion would not be tolerated Militia from VA, MD, NJ—13,000 men Washington and Hamilton rode out to lead the troops Surprised farmers scattered. Militia caught and arrested them 2 were convicted of treason but Washington pardoned them
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POLITICAL PARTIES DEVELOP Most framers thought parties were dangerous 1790s—Americans became politically divided Two sides—Jeffersonian Republicans vs. Federalists (Hamilton) Two-Party System was beginning Jeffersonian Republicans became known as the Democratic-Republicans
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