1. The First President

3. Washington Takes Oath -Constitution created a strong executive -- president -Washington was elected first president (unanimous) April 30, 1789 -John Adams becomes the first Vice President

4. Precedents -A precedent is a tradition set by someone -George Washington knew that since he was the first president he would likely have to set a lot of precedents. -Washington set the precedent of working with Congress to organize the government. Washington also set the precedent for how long a president should serve (served 2 terms)

5. The Cabinet -Executive Branch set up in 1789 created departments to help President -State - Dealt with foreign relations -Treasury - Dealt with money -War - Dealt with our military -The heads of the departments are called secretaries -State - Thomas Jefferson -Treasury - Alexander Hamilton -War - Henry Knox -These three departments are called “The Cabinet.” -Vice-President was also a member of the Cabinet

6. KnoxJefferson Hamilton

7. Establishing A Court System -Congress had to design first court system -Passed the Judiciary Act of 1790 -- set up two court systems where the states keep their own laws and the national government set up their own. -Federal Courts were more powerful and could overturn the decisions of a state court.

8. The Bill of Rights -Americans wanted a bill of rights for protection from a strong national government -James Madison introduced a set of amendments to Congress in Dec. 1791 -James Madison was known as the “Father of the Constitution” -10 of them were approved and are our Bill of Rights

9. The New Economy -Washington depended on Hamilton for economic advice -America owed millions of dollars

10. Hamilton’s Economic Plan -Hamilton wanted the federal government to pay Revolutionary War debts to other nations instead of state governments paying for it, as well as debts to citizens -This would give federal government more credit, since they could show they could pay off bills (just like a credit card) -He also believed that paying off debts for the state would make the states more committed to a national government

11. Hamilton’s Plan Faces Opposition -Congress agreed that the national government should pay debts owed to other nations -But they opposed paying back American citizens which caused protest (South especially did not like Hamilton’s plan) -American citizens had previously bought bonds (loaned the government money)

12. Compromise to Hamilton’s Plan -Hamilton said that if Southern states would agree to the plan he would support putting the nation’s capital in the south (instead of New York or Philadelphia) -South agreed and the plan was passed

13. The National Bank -Hamilton asked Congress to make a national bank to hold government money and pay off debts -Would also mean there would be a single, national currency -Madison and Jefferson opposed the bank (they said the Constitution did not give government the power to make a bank) -Remember, Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and Madison is known as the “Father of the Constitution.” - This was a huge debate about the actual role of government and the economy - A bank was eventually made.

14. Tariffs and Taxes -Hamilton wanted U.S. manufacturing to be successful -He supported high tariffs to protect American goods -Hamilton also called for a national tax to help pay off the debt. -Congress approved many of the taxes Hamilton proposed. -Madison and Jefferson were concerned because they thought Washington was letting Hamilton make the government too strong.