The First Five Presidents of
the United States of America
SOL USI.7c: The student will demonstrate
knowledge of the challenges faced by the
new nation by, d) describing the major
accomplishments of the first five presidents of
the United States
George Washington: The First
President of the United States
George Washington: From Virginia
Highlights of George Washington’s
Presidency
• 1) Federal COURT system was
established
• 2) The “Bill of Rights” was ADDED to the
Constitution of the United States of
America.
Highlights of George Washington’s
Presidency
3) Plans were created
for development of
the national CAPITAL
in Washington, D.C.
Benjamin Banneker,
an African American
astronomer and
surveyor, helped
complete the DESIGN
for the city.
George Washington laying the
capstone of the U.S. Capitol building
John Adams: The Second
President of the United States
John Adams: From Boston, Massachusetts
Highlights of John Adams’
Presidency
1) A TWO-PARTY system of government
emerged during his administration
Thomas Jefferson: The Third
President of the United States
Thomas Jefferson: From Virginia
Highlights of Thomas Jefferson’s
Presidency
• 1) He bought Louisiana from FRANCE. This is
known as the “Louisiana Purchase”
Highlights of Thomas Jefferson’s
Presidency
2) LEWIS AND CLARK explored new land west of
the Mississippi River.
The Louisiana Purchase
1803: Thomas Jefferson paid $15 Million dollars to Napoleon for the
Louisiana Territory which covered around 828,000 square miles. This
purchase doubled the size of the United States’ territory and included
15 modern states. Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory for under
three cents an acre!
James Madison: The Fourth
President of the United States
James Madison: From Virginia
Highlights of James Madison’s
Presidency
1) The WAR OF 1812 caused European nations to
gain respect for the United States.
James Monroe: The Fifth President
of the United States
James Monroe: From Virginia
Highlights of James Monroe’s
Presidency
1) He introduced the MONROE DOCTRINE
warning European nations not to interfere
with the Western Hemisphere.
The Monroe Doctrine stated that if any
European nation (France, England,
Portugal, Spain) tried to colonize in the
Western Hemisphere anymore, that it
would be looked upon as an act of
aggression by the United States. The
Monroe Doctrine also stated that the
United States would remain neutral
concerning European matters.
Monroe Doctrine: December 2, 1823
Monroe Doctrine- 1823