Launching a New Nation Chapter 8 Washington Takes

Launching a New Nation Chapter 8

Washington Takes Office Section 1

The First President «In April of 1789, George Washington began his term as the first President of the United States. «Washington’s inauguration was held on April 30, 1789, in New York City.

The First President «Washington had many reasons to feel anxious as he started his first term n n n The country was divided on many issues. His actions would set a precedent. The new nation depended on him.

Setting Precedents «Policies and Procedures n n n each decision of the new government would set a precedent Congress created executive depts. , which specialized in different areas Dept. heads formed the cabinet, which met to advise the president

The Executive Branch «The first job of the President and the Congress was to put a working government in place «Congress passed laws to set up the three departments of the executive branch o Treasury o State o War

The Executive Branch «Washington appointed 4 well-known men as his top advisors. This group later became known as the Cabinet Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the treasury Thomas Jefferson Secretary of state Henry Knox Secretary of war Edmund Randolph Attorney general

Establishing the Judiciary «The Courts n n n Judiciary Act of 1789 – created a three level federal court system President nominated federal judges, and Congress had to approve them John Jay – first Supreme Court Chief Justice

Nation’s First Economic Crisis «Problem – National Debt U. S. owed millions to foreign creditors and U. S. citizens n some debt was in the form of bonds n many sold their bonds to speculators «government was not collecting enough money to repay its debt – it needed new sources of income n

Nation’s First Economic Crisis «Alexander Hamilton developed a plan to solve the financial crisis

Hamilton’s Financial Plan «Hamilton’s Plan n Pay all federal and state debts n Create a national bank n Impose a high tax on imported goods «Jefferson opposed this plan b/c it cheated original bond owners «states owed $25 million for Revolutionary War expenses

Paying the Debt «Hamilton wanted federal govt. to pay some of states’ debts «hoped would boost economy «several states objected, including southern states with few war debts «Finally supported Hamilton after Congress agreed to build the new capital city in the South

A National Bank «Hamilton wanted a national bank in which the government could deposit money «Jefferson did not agree

Debate over the Bank «Constitutional Issue n n Hamilton thought he could create a bank under the terms of the elastic clause (loose construction) Jefferson argued that it was not allowed (strict construction) «Bank was created in 1791

A High Tariff «Hamilton wanted to promote domestic manufacturing and business with a protective tariff «Jefferson favored farmers and lower tariffs to keep the prices of imported goods low «Congress did not pass the tariff

The Whiskey Rebellion «Congress passed a tax on American- made whiskey in 1791 «some frontier farmers produced whiskey for trade «some farmers argued that they could not afford the tax

The Whiskey Rebellion «began in 1794, when protestors refused to pay whiskey tax «rebels attacked and tarred and feathered tax collectors «Washington sent militia troops «rebels fled, rebellion without a battle

The Birth of Political Parties Section 2

Political Parties Emerge «Early political groups were called factions «Washington and others feared that factions would be destructive to the new government. «By the 1790 s, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were quarreling and growing apart.

Political Parties Emerge «Jefferson’s and Hamilton’s differences led to the development of the first political parties «Federalists supported Hamilton and his ideas «Republicans supported Jefferson and his ally, James Madison

Republicans vs Federalists «Democratic-Republicans wanted most power at the state or local level «They feared that a strong central government would act like a monarchy

Republicans vs Federalists «Federalists said that the United States needed a strong federal government «They believed the federal government would hold the country together and deal with its problems

Republicans vs Federalists «The two parties also had geographic differences. «Federalists were strong among Northern merchants. «Republicans were supported largely by Southern farmers.

Republicans vs Federalists and Republicans disagreed about many issues. Republicans Federalists led by Thomas Jefferson led by Alexander Hamilton Believed people should have political power Believed wealthy and educated should lead Favored strong state government Favored strong central government Emphasized agriculture (farming) Emphasized manufacturing, shipping, and trade Favored strict interpretation of Constitution Favored looser interpretation of Constitution Were pro-French Were pro-British Opposed national bank Favored national bank Opposed protective tariff Favored protective tariff

Election of 1796 «In 1796, Washington said he would not seek a third term «Both political parties nominated a candidate n Democratic-Republican – Thomas Jefferson n Federalist – John Adams

Election of 1796 «In 1796, the President and Vice President were not elected together, as they are today. «The candidate with the most votes became President. «The second-place candidate became Vice President.

Election of 1796 «Adams finished first and Jefferson finished second. The nation gained a Federalist President and a Republican Vice President «This led to serious tensions during the next four years

Troubles at Home and Abroad Section 3

Essential Question «How did the actions of Britain and France affect the United States? n n n Britain was supporting Native American attacks on American settlers. Britain and France were seizing American ships to gain their support in the war. Washington secured the Northwest Territory and encouraged Americans to stay neutral in European affairs.

Conflict in the NW Territory «The Treaty of Paris gave America a vast area called the Northwest Territory. «British troops remained in the NW Territory - aiding Native Americans in resisting American settlement «Americans wanted British troops to withdraw.

Conflict in the NW Territory « 1790 – Indians went to war over land «Native Americans won 2 early battles «Washington sent General Anthony Wayne «Battle of Fallen Timbers – 1794 n Burned Indian villages and fields

Conflict in the NW Territory «Treaty of Greenville n n n Gave U. S. access to Native lands in the NW Territory Guaranteed the safety of U. S. citizens Natives received $20, 000 worth of goods

The French Revolution «Ideals of equality and democracy had spread to France (1789) «American reactions n n Some celebrated the creation of another republican govt. Others feared the violence (Reign of Terror)

The French Revolution «Federalists, led by Hamilton, felt that the Revolutionaries were too violent and called the revolution a “bloodthirsty monster. ” «Republicans, led by Jefferson, believed that some injustices were to be expected in a fight for freedom.

U. S. Neutrality « 1793 - France and Great Britain went to war «Neutrality Proclamation n n U. S. would not take sides with countries at war in Europe Issued without approval of Congress

Threats to Neutrality «by 1793, France and Britain were at war «Washington wanted America to remain neutral, but both countries wanted the United States to choose a side «began seizing cargo from American ships «British captured American sailors and forced them to serve in the British navy (impressment)

Threats to Neutrality Hamilton urged Washington to stay friendly with Britain purchased 75% of American exports. They supplied 90% of American imports.

Jay’s Treaty «Washington sent John Jay to Britain. «Treaty terms (1795) n n n British agreed to pay damages for seized ships British would abandon frontier forts U. S. would pay pre-war debts it owed to British merchants

Jay’s Treaty «The treaty was controversial. «Republicans opposed it because they believed it gave too much to Britain and too little to America «Federalists were in favor of the treaty because it kept peace with Britain. «Since Federalists controlled the Senate, the Jay Treaty passed.

Washington’s Farewell Address «Washington decided not to run for a third presidential term «Greatest dangers to the American republic n n n Dangers of foreign ties Political divisions at home Public debt

Washington’s Accomplishments «Washington took pride in his accomplishments n n U. S. had a functioning federal government economy was improving He had avoided war The NW Territory was free from British troops and safe to settle

The Presidency of John Adams Section 4

Troubles with France «French were using privateers to attack American ships «Adams sent diplomats to France «XYZ Affair n n French officials requested a bribe American people were outraged, especially Federalists

Troubles with France «Averting War n. War Hawks began calling for war n. Adams opposed war but increased the size of the army and established a navy «Treaty of Mortefontaine(1800) n. France would stop seizing American ships n. U. S. would remain neutral

Alien and Sedition Acts «Federalists passed the Acts in 1798 «Alien Act – allowed the president to remove foreign residents from the country «Sedition Act – made it illegal to criticize or plot against the government or its policies

Alien and Sedition Acts «laws used mainly against Republican newspapers «Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions n written by Madison/Jefferson n maintained that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional

States’ Rights «Lasting impact of Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions n Claimed that states could nullify laws passed by Congress n Boosted the idea of states’ rights