1. Washington’s Presidency
Chapter 9

2. Washington’s Presidency
George Washington inaugurated on April 30, 1789.
John Adams was his vice-president

3. Federal Judiciary Act
Constitution left it up to Congress on how many Supreme Court Justices to have.
1789 – Congress passed the Federal Judiciary Act
Gave Supreme Court 1 chief justice, 5 associate justices (8 associates as of today)
Provided for other lower, less powerful federal courts.
John Jay was appointed chief justice.

4. Why does a president have a cabinet?

5. President of the United States
Then…
George Washington
Now…
Barrack Obama

6. Presidential Cabinet Secretary of the Treasury
Then…
Alexander Hamilton
Now…
Timothy Geithner

7. Presidential Cabinet Secretary of War
Then…
Henry Knox
Now…
Secretary of Defense
Leon Panetta

8. Presidential Cabinet Attorney General
Then…
Edmund Randolph
Now…
Eric Holder

9. Presidential Cabinet Secretary of State
Then…
Thomas Jefferson
Now…
Hillary Clinton

10. Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of the Treasury
Faced the task of fixing the new nation’s economy (US was $52 million in debt).
Wanted to prove to other countries that the US was economically responsible.
Came up with a financial plan to reflect his belief in a strong central government.
Paying off war debts
Raising government revenue
Creating a National Bank

11. Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of the Treasury
Paying off war debts…
Southern States agreed to help pay off Northern States debts, and in return the nation’s capital was placed in the South.

12. Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of the Treasury
Raising government revenues…
Called for tariffs on imported goods
Taxed foreign goods, such as shoes and textiles
Insured steady flow of $$ to the government
Encouraged people to buy American goods…

13. Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of the Treasury
Creating a National Bank…
Give government a safe place to keep money
Make loans to business and government
Issue bank notes
paper $$ that could be used as currency

14. Interpreting the Constitution
Hamilton’s plan would strengthen the gov’t.
Started a debate over how to interpret the Constitution
Jefferson and Madison believed Constitution discouraged big government
Believed in strict interpretation of Constitution
Hamilton pointed to Elastic Clause in Constitution, stating bank was “necessary and proper”…
Jefferson and Hamilton defended their positions to Washington….

15. But Washington had other challenges at home and abroad….
To Be Continued….