1. President George Washington Pages 378-384 Workbook pg. 68

2. Washington Becomes President  On April 30, 1789, George Washington stood on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City and recited the oath of office.

3. The Oath of Office “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

4. The Vice President  John Adams became the Vice President of the United States in 1789.  At the time the candidate who received the second largest number of votes was named Vice President.  In 1804, the 12 th Amendment was written which changed how VP’s were chosen.

5. Washington Selects Leaders  President Washington chose leaders to fill important positions within the executive branch.  These leaders would help the President carry out the main responsibilities of the executive branch.

6. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court  President Washington named John Jay as the first chief justice.  Congress decided that there should be six justices who would serve on the Supreme Court.  Today, there are nine justices on the Supreme Court.

7. Secretary of State  Thomas Jefferson was asked to be Secretary of State.  His main responsibility was to establish friendships between the United States and the leading world powers. This included Spain, France, and the former enemy of the U.S., Britain.

8. Secretary of the Treasury  Alexander Hamilton was given the important job of Secretary of the Treasury.  Hamilton worked with Congress to set up a banking system and pass new tax laws.  He also ordered the printing and coining of money.

9. Secretary of War  Henry Knox, who had been a general in the Revolutionary War, was asked by President Washington to be Secretary of War.  He began building a national army of 1,000 soldiers to defend the western border of the United States.

10. Attorney General  Edmund Randolph became the President’s legal advisor. He told the President what the Constitution and the nation’s other laws would and would not allow him to do as President.  He was known as the Attorney General.

11. The President’s Cabinet  Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson  Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton  Secretary of War Henry Knox  Attorney General Edmund Randolph

12. President Washington  Washington served two terms or eight years as President.  Many believed that Washington should remain President even longer.  He decided to return to his home Mount Vernon in 1796.  Washington died in 1799 at the age of 67.

13. Mount Vernon

14. Washington’s Grave