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Guided Reading
The Federalist Era
Lesson 1 - The First President
WASHINGTON TAKES OFFICE
As you read the section, answer the questions.
1. Define “precedent.” Why was Washington so careful about any decision he or his
cabinet made?
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2. What three departments and two offices did Congress establish in the executive branch?
What did they do? Name the people who held these cabinet positions.
DEPARTMENT or OFFICE
FUNCTION
WHO?
3. Vice President, John Adams, broke a tie vote in the Senate. What was the debate?
What precedent did the tie-breaking vote set?
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4. Why was the Judiciary Act of 1789 considered a compromise? What did it establish?
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5. How does the Supreme Court fit into the system of checks & balances?
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6. What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
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THE NEW ECONOMY
As you read the section, answer the questions.
1. How and why did Alexander Hamilton become Secretary of the Treasury?
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2. Define “debt.” Explain why the United States was in debt when the country began.
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3. Why did Hamilton argue that the national government should pay their national wartime
debts?
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4. What is a “bond?” What role did bonds play in Hamilton’s Plan?
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5. Hamilton’s Plan faced two major problems. Explain the problem of speculators. Explain
the opposition of the Southern states.
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6. Why was the location of Washington D.C. chosen for a new capital?
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7. Explain Alexander Hamilton’s proposal of the Bank of the United States. Who opposed
it & why? Who supported it & why?
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8. Define “tariff.” Why were tariffs important to the country as a whole?
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9. But… Hamilton’s ideas were creating conflict. Why? Do you agree?
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