The First President
7-1
Objectives
• What actions were taken to launch the new
government.
• How Hamilton proposed to strengthen the
economy.
President Washington
George Washington, from
Virginia, was unanimously
chosen as the first president.
The people trusted him
because of his leadership
during the Revolutionary War.
John Adams
John Adams from Massachusetts
became the first vice president.
This made the top two Executive
Branch positions equally divided
between the north and south.
“Mr. President”
What would the President be
called? Washington agreed that
there should be no reference to
royalty. So he wanted to be
simply called, “Mr. President”.
Precedent
• Being first to do something that sets an
example for others to follow.
• Write an example.
First Congress
Beginning March 4, 1789, the first Congress of the United States
met to start the process of forming the government under the
Constitution. They would have to set up the governmental
departments, and confirm the department heads.
Department Heads
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
Department Heads
Secretary of War
Attorney General
Judiciary Act 1789
Congress established the Federal Court System with this law.
They created the lower or “inferior” courts.
First Federal Courts
The Judiciary Act created 13
Districts and three Circuit
Courts of Appeals. John Jay
was chosen as the first Chief
Justice.
Bill of Rights
Americans wanted their individual freedoms to be guaranteed.
Congress adopted 10 Amendments and they were ratified in
December of 1791.
Financial Problems
Running a country costs
money. Alexander Hamilton,
Secretary of the Treasury, was
tasked with dealing with the
financial issues facing the
nation. Most importantly,
tackling the national debt.
Hamilton’s Plan
Hamilton believed all the debts
accrued by the Articles of
Confederation needed to be
paid by the current
government.
Opposition to Hamilton’s Plan
The opposition to Hamilton’s plan
came from states, primarily in the
South, who had paid off their
debts from the Revolutionary War.
Compromise
Southern states agreed to “assume the nation’s debts” when a
compromise was reached over the location of the National
Capitol. It would be located in the South located on the Potomac
River between Virginia and Maryland.
Building the Economy
To help build the economy
Hamilton believed a national
bank needed to be created. It
would be a partnership between
the government and private
investors.
Bank of the United States
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison believed the bank was
unconstitutional. Washington supported Hamilton and Congress
chartered the bank.
Tariffs and Taxes
Hamilton believed that the economy should be centered around
manufacturing rather than agriculture. So a protective tariff was
passed.
Taxes
Hamilton believed national
taxes should be part of the
government. This plan was
opposed by prominent
politicians such as James
Madison and Thomas Jefferson.