1. Washington Leads a New Nation
Chapter 7, Section 1
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2. The First President
Although Washington thought he was going to retire after
the war, he was chosen to be the first President of the
United States under the federal Constitution.
Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789 and
John Adams became the first vice president.
Washington was aware of the difficulties and decisions
he had to face. He would establish precedents that
would shape the future of the United States.

3. Organizing the Government
Congress created a cabinet for President Washington.
There were originally three departments:
State Department --- handled the relations with other nations, headed by Thomas Jefferson.
Treasury Department --- dealt with financial matters, headed by Alexander Hamilton.
War Department --- provided for the national defense, headed by Henry Knox.

4. Other Executive Offices
Congress created the office of attorney general to handle
the government’s legal affairs. The first attorney general
was Edmund Randolph.
Congress also established the office of postmaster
general to direct the postal service.
Washington met regularly with the three primary department
heads, or secretaries, and the attorney general, which
collectively became to known as the cabinet.

5. Executive Authority
Congress was divided as to how much power the president
should hold over the executive department.
The president appointed the department heads with the
Senate’s approval.
Congress gave the president authority over hiring and firing
cabinet officers so that he did not need the Senate’s approval
to dismiss someone.
This strengthened the president’s position and created a
major separation between the legislature and the executive
branches.

6. Judiciary Act of 1789
The Judiciary Act of 1789 was actually a compromise.
One group in Congress favored a national legal system,
an a second favored state courts.
The act created three levels of federal courts and
defined their powers and relationships to the state
courts.
State laws would remain, but federal courts would have
the power to reverse state decisions.

7. Americans’ Expectations for the Nation
Many American had high expectations for the new country.
They wanted improved trade, free from restrictions.
They wanted the government to protect them and keep the economy stable.
1790 – U.S. population was approximately 4 million people.
Most cities were small. Only New York and Philadelphia had populations larger than 25,000.
New York City was the first capital of the United States.