Washington and His Presidency 1789 1797 Washington After

Washington and His Presidency 1789 -1797

Washington After the Revolution Washington wanted to go back to his home in Virginia & live a quiet peaceful life. The American people wanted strong leadership, so they unanimously voted him in.

Washington April 30, 1789 -Washington(Virginia) is inaugurated president of the U. S. John Adams becomes the Vice President.

George Washington’s Presidency George Washington established governmental precedents. A precedent is an example that would become a standard practice.

Establishment of the Court System Federal Judiciary Act of 1789 - passed by Congress. It created a supreme court & individual circuit courts.

The U. S. Supreme Court is to have a Chief Justice and five associate justices. Currently we have 9 total justices. Washington appoints John Jay as Chief Justice.

Establishment of Presidential Cabinet Secretary of War(Henry Knox)Oversees the nation’s defenses In the Revolution he served as Washington’s general of artillery.

Presidential Cabinet Secretary of State(Thomas Jefferson)oversee the relations between the U. S and other countries

Jefferson Facts Writer of the Declaration of Independence Began his political career in VA at age 26 Served as Secretary of War for 3 yrs 1790 -93 Scholar, Architect, Inventor Strong ally of small farmer & average citizen Despised Alexander Hamilton

Presidential Cabinet Secretary of Treasury(Alexander Hamilton)-to manage the Government’s money

Hamilton Facts Born into poverty & became an orphan He became a shipping clerk & later attended King’s college He made his way up in society (rags to riches) Despite his background he sided with upper class Americans Had no faith in the average citizen

Presidential Cabinet Attorney General(Edmond Randolph)- Advise the government on legal matters

Hamilton’s Financial Plan Believed that the federal government should be stronger than the state.

Hamilton v. Jefferson Hamilton believed in a strong central gov’t led by educated rich people. Jefferson didn’t trust a strong central government and the rich. He favored strong state gov’ts rooted in popular participation (basically everyone has a say). Hamilton’s view found the support of the north and Jefferson’s view found the support of the south.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan Pay off the war debt to develop the trust of other nations for trade Raise the federal government’s revenues through tariffs and taxes. TARIFFS – a tax on imported goods.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan Tariffs would… encourage the growth of American industry (buy American-made). raise money for the federal government.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan Create a NATIONAL BANK: safe place to keep the government’s money. strengthen the federal government.

Controversy w/ Plan Hamilton’s plan for a national bank caused controversy. Madison believed that the National bank would cause an unhealthy alliance between the Federal gov’t and wealthy investors. Since the constitution didn’t call for a National bank Madison felt congress had no right to do it.

Debate on Interpretation of the Constitution STRICT CONSTRUCTION: only what the Constitution clearly states – favored by Jefferson and Madison. LOOSE CONSTRUCTION: the Constitution should be flexible to meet the needs of the country (Elastic Clause) – favored by Hamilton and Adams. Jefferson and Hamilton argue these points on the creation of the National Bank.

Major Events during Washington’s Presidency Whiskey Rebellion(1794) Hamilton put an excise tax on a products’ manufacture, sale, or distribution Whiskey was the main source of income for frontier farmers Western Pennsylvania farmers refused to pay the tax Washington led troops to crush the rebellion Showed the power of the Federal Gov’t

Major Events during Washington Presidency The French Revolution (1789 -1793) the French people overthrow the French monarchy by executing King Louis XVI. They also declared war on Great Britain as well. French wanted U. S to side w/ them because of their alliance

Major Events during Washington Presidency Proclamation of Neutrality – the U. S. would not side with any European country in wartime. Washington didn’t believe that it was in the best interest of a new nation to be involved in a war.

Major Events during Washington Presidency Citizen Edmond Genet(1793) Sent to U. S to gain support during the French Revolution Instead of following diplomatic protocol, Genet snuck around trying to recruit supporters Washington was outraged, because it violated the Neutrality Washington wanted Genet to be sent back to France, but instead he stayed in the U. S & became a citizen

Thomas Jefferson Because of Jefferson’s support for France during their Revolution, he received a lot of criticism He decided to resign, because he couldn’t take the criticism plus his ongoing feud with Hamilton

Washington Retires Established the precedent of only a two-term presidency, which becomes the 22 nd Amendment in 1951.

Pinckney’s Treaty(1795) The Pinckney Treaty helped the U. S tremendously it gave them shipping rights on the Mississippi and gave them new territory.

Major Events During Washington’s Presidency As the U. S began to expand they ran into opposition from the Native Americans Washington sent troops to fight the N. Americans but they lost both Finally at the battle of Timbers the U. S defeated them & Signed the Treaty of Greenville- gave them present day Ohio & Indiana

Major Events During Washington Presidency Jay’s Treaty (1794) After Battle of Fallen Timbers, British agree to evacuate posts in Northwest Territory. Britain also agreed to pay for damaged American Ships, but it did not deal with the issue of impressment (taking U. S sailors & making them work for the British).

Washington’s Farewell Address Washington warns against political parties Foreign entanglements(getting involved with other countries, especially Britain and France