Warm-Up
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Imagine you are the first president of the United
States. What do you think would be the most
important issues you need to take care of first?
(military, security, economic, etc.)
Answer this question at the top of page 20 in your
journal.
The Early Republic (1789 – 1825)
The U.S. Constitution
•
Approved by committee on Sept 17th, 1787
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Ratified by the states in Sept 13th, 1788 (needed 9 of 13 states)
•
Goes into effect on March 4th, 1789
The Presidency – What is it??
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Chief of State – chief public
representative of the nation
Commander-in-Chief – leads
the Armed Forces
Chief Legislator – recommends
new laws to Congress
Chief Diplomat – both a
national spokesman and world
leader
Chief Executive – sees that
laws are faithfully executed
The Presidential Seal
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•
What does the
Seal mean?
What do you
think the
different parts
of the symbols
represent?
E. Pluribus Unum = Out of
many, one
Talons hold olive
branches for peace
and arrows for war.
Head looks towards
olive branches
showing President
always looking for
peace but ready
for war.
50 Stars = 50 States
The President’s Coat of Arms
represents the military strength of the
United States
Shield has
alternating red and
white stripes
representing the
original 13 states
with a blue band on
top signifying unity,
one nation.
1. George Washington (1789-1797)
• Elected unanimously in 1788 by the
Electoral College
• Serves only 2 terms (sets precedent
(tradition)
• Elected to second term in 1792
• Congress paid president $25,000/year
but he declined it due to “selfless image”
and wealth
• Preferred to be formally called “Mr.
President” (another precedent he sets)
• Great administrator and judge of talent
and character
• Sets precedent of creating a “cabinet”
(group of advisors) to help him reach
gov’t decisions
Page 21
George Washington (1789-1797)
Interesting Facts:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Was 6’ 2” tall and about 200 lbs
After years of toothaches, had all but
one of his teeth pulled at age 57
Did not have wooden teeth, fake
dentures made from carved animal
bones and actual teeth from slaves
(which he paid for)
Married Martha Custis at age 26 and
never had any children of his own
(Martha had two children from
previous marriage)
Great dancer and horseman
Only Founding Father who ran a
distillery
Washington’s Cabinet
Secretary of the
Treasury
Alexander Hamilton
1789
Treasury Department
Jacob Lew
2013
(Deals with national financial matters)
Page 21
Washington’s Cabinet
Page 21
Secretary of the
State
John Kerry
2013
Thomas Jefferson
1789
State Department
(Handles relations with other nations/foreign affairs)
Washington’s Cabinet
Secretary of the
War/Defense
Henry Knox
1789
Chuck Hagel
2013
War/Defense Department
(Provides for the nation’s defense)
Page 21
Washington’s Cabinet
Page 21
Attorney General
Edmund Randolph
1789
Justice Department
Eric Holder Jr.
2013
(President’s legal advisor and enforces national laws)
Question:
Which of Washington’s cabinet do
you think would have been more
important in shaping the young
nation (U.S.)? Why?
Answer this at the bottom of page
20.
Presidential Challenges
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Maintain national security
Create a stable economic system (paying
debts)
Build a military
Set up a court system
Define the central gov’ts authority
Page 23
Interpretations of the Constitution
“Necessary and Proper Clause”: expands the
powers of the Constitution to fit a working
government (AKA: the Elastic Clause)
 Strict Constructionist: believe that government
ONLY has powers specified by Constitution
 Loose Constructionist: want to use the elastic
clause for what they think is “necessary and
proper”
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Page 23
Economic Policies
Secretary of Treasury
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Alexander Hamilton
For a central, national
bank, national
currency
For tax whiskey and
luxury items
Secretary of State
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Thomas Jefferson
Against a national
bank, thought it was
unconstitutional
Against taxes thought
unfair to farmers
Page 25
Economic Policies
Secretary of Treasury
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For protective tariffs
(taxes) to protect U.S.
manufacturers. Taxes
imports (goods from
other countries)
Secretary of State
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Against protective
tariffs…thought it
would hurt farmers
and increase cost of
goods
Page 25
Alexander
Hamilton’s
Financial
Plan
Jefferson’s
argument and
opposition to
Hamilton’s plan
Page 25
Leads to the creation of
Political Parties in the nation
Political Parties
• Federalist Party
• Leader: Alexander Hamilton
• Priorities: Manufacturing,
strong federal gov’t (loose
interpretation of the
Constitution), favored Britain
as trading partner
• Democratic-Republicans
• Leader: Thomas Jefferson
• Priorities: Agriculture,
strong state gov’ts (strict
interpretation of the
Constitution), favored France
(revolutionary ally) as
trading partner
Page 27
Washington’s Foreign Policies & Actions
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Neutrality Proclamation – U.S. would
stay neutral in other nation’s wars
Signed Jay’s Treaty – dodged war and
promoted trade with Britain
Farewell Address – warned against
political parties and getting involved in
other countries problems (foreign
affairs).
Page 27
Reflection
How were political parties formed?
From what argument? How do political
parties affect us today? Be specific and
write a 4-5 sentence paragraph.
2. John Adams (1797-1801)
• Considered a “Founding Father” of our
nation
• Strong supporter of the Independence
movement before and after the
American Revolution
• Helped write the Declaration of
Independence
• Was the first Vice-President under
Washington
• Was a lawyer and farmer from
Massachusetts
• Only serves one term as President after
losing to Thomas Jefferson in the election
of 1800
Page 29
2. John Adams (1787-1801)
Interesting Facts:
• One of only two father-son Presidents in
U.S. History (George H. W. and George
W. Bush)
• Signer of the Declaration of
Independence
• Had a fiery temper and loved to argue
• Defended the British soldiers accused of
murder in the “Boston Massacre”
• Had an extremely close relationship with
wife Abigail
• Dies on July 4th, 1826, on the 50th
anniversary of the signing of the
Declaration of Independence
John Adams’ Presidency
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Adams continues Washington’s policy of
“neutrality” which angers the French
The French begin to “seize” U.S. ships on
the high seas
The U.S. has many French supporters
who want the U.S. to help them in the
war against Britain
Thomas Jefferson, Vice-President, is one
of them
Page 29
XYZ Affair
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Adams sends diplomats to France to
try and negotiate peace
French agents say France would only
talk if U.S. pays them $10 million and
a bribe to the French minister of
$250,000
Americans very angrily refuse
Congress allows U.S. Ships to seize
French ships and begins building an
army
Page 29
Alien and Sedition Acts
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Democratic-Republicans
favor France and begin to
attack Adams’ policies
Many new immigrants are
Democratic-Republicans
Adams passes the Alien
and the Sedition Acts to
try and silence
Democratic-Republicans
and immigrant
newspapers
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Targeted aliens
(immigrants)
Extended wait time to
become a citizen from
5 to 14 years
Allowed President to
order aliens out of country
Made saying or writing
anything false or harmful
about the government an
illegal act (sedition)
The issue of State’s Rights
will continue until Civil
War
Page 31
Election of 1800
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VS
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Adams (Federalist) loses to Jefferson
(Democratic-Republican)
Adams was able to keep U.S. out of
war and strengthened the Navy
Adams was the first president to live
in the Executive (White House)
Mansion in Washington, D.C., and
first to leave it
Election actually decided by
Congress due to 1st and 2nd place tie
between Jefferson and Aaron Burr
Hamilton (leader of Federalists)
trusted Burr less than Jefferson and
finally convinces Federalist-lead
Congress to vote for Jefferson on
36th vote
Page 31
Reflection
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The Alien and Sedition Acts was probably the
biggest political mistake that John Adams made.
From what you know about the “Acts”, would you
say they were constitutional or unconstitutional?
Which, if any, of the Bill of Rights do you think they
violated? Would it be possible today to pass a law
like this? Explain. (5-6 complete sentences)
3. Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)
•Wrote the Declaration of
Independence
•Secretary of State under Washington
and Vice-President under Adams
•Leader of the Democratic-Republican
Party
•Was a “Strict Constructionist”
•From Virginia, lived at Monticello
•Wife Martha, dies in 1782 and never
remarries
•Wins two terms as President
•Aaron Burr by finishing second in
voting becomes his Vice-President
Page 33
3. Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)
Interesting Facts:
• Owned thousands of books
• Helped create the Bill of Rights for the
U.S. Constitution
• Designed and began the University of
Virginia
• Was governor of Virginia twice
• Designed his own house Monticello and
continuously made improvements
• Had 12 children and was a greatgrandfather at the time of his death
• Died on July 4th, 1826, on the 50th
anniversary of the Declaration of
Independence. Died about 4 hours
before John Adams.
Views on Government
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“When the people fear the government,
there is tyranny. When the government
fears the people, there is liberty.”
“My reading of history convinces me
that most bad government results from
too much government.”
“The policy of the American government
is to leave their citizens free, neither
restraining nor aiding them in their
pursuits.”
Jefferson’s Presidency
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Even though he favored France, tries to
stay “neutral” in conflicts
During his first term, Napoleon is taking
over most of Europe and takes control
of the Louisiana Territory from Spain
Napoleon closes the Mississippi River
and the port of New Orleans to the U.S.
The river and port are vital to the
western state’s economies
Page 33
Louisiana Purchase (1803)
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Jefferson sends group (including James
Monroe) to France to buy New Orleans
Due to a devastating war in Haiti,
Napoleon needs to gold
Napoleon offers to sell the Louisiana
Territory for $15 million
To make sure it is not sold to another
country, Jefferson agrees to buy using a
“loose” interpretation of the Constitution
With purchase, protects movement of
“goods” down the Mississippi River to New
Orleans (port)
Page 33
LOUISIANA TERRITORY
The “doubling” of the country
Lewis & Clark Expedition
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Meriwether Lewis and William Clark are
commissioned by Jefferson to explore the newly
added territory
Jefferson wants them to find a quick water route
across the continent for commerce (business)
Begin their dangerous journey in May 1804 and
return in September 1806
They explore and map the territory, established
trade with Indian tribes
Also studied animal and plant life
Page 37
Lewis & Clark Expedition (1804-1806)
Embargo Act of 1807
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Embargo – (def) an
official ban on trade
(business) with another
country
During the Napoleonic
Wars, Britain and
France were seizing
American ships at sea
Jefferson convinces
Congress to pass
Embargo act
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The law stops any/all
trade with all countries
Jefferson hoped to hurt
their economies
Decision backfires and
only hurts the U.S.
economy
Is repealed in 1809
Page 37
4. James Madison (1809-1817)
•Known as the “Father of the U.S.
Constitution” and “Founding Father” of
the Bill of Rights
•Born and raised in Virginia
•Helped write the “Federalist Papers”
with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay
to help ratify the Constitution
•Part of the first Congress in 1789
who helped write many new laws for
the new government
•Was 43 yrs old when he married
Dolley Payne Todd, a 26 yr old widow
•Was Secretary of State under
President Thomas Jefferson
Page 39
4. James Madison (1809-1817)
Interesting Facts:
• Is the shortest President on record at 5
feet and 4 inches tall (weighed about
100 lbs)
• Never had any children of his own but
adopted his step-son with Dolley
Madison
• James and Dolley may have been the
first to serve ice cream at the White
House
• Had no military experience but led the
U.S. during the War of 1812
• Died at age 85 in 1836 at his home
estate Montepelier
Madison’s Presidency
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After election, decides to continue his
mentor’s wishes by making sure the
“National Bank” charter is not renewed
Bank is not renewed by Congress in
1811
Federalist Party has mostly been
dismantled/non-existent
Oversees War of 1812 (which lasts until
1815)
Page 39
War of 1812
Causes
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British seizures of U.S. ships and sailors
(impressment)
British restricting trade with France
British supporting Indians on frontier
Pro-war Congress (“War Hawks”)
Nationalism…pride for the U.S. country
increases
Page 41 (Table)
War of 1812
Events
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British enacts a naval blockade of the U.S.
British invading force burns down
Washington, D.C., including the Executive
Mansion
U.S. military attempts and fails to invade
British Canada
Treaty of Ghent in 1815 ends the war and
returns both countries to pre-war conditions
Battle of New Orleans is fought after
treaty is signed and lost by the British due
to Gen. Andrew Jackson’s leadership
Page 41 (Table)
Effects of the War of 1812
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U.S. independence from British is re-affirmed
Manufacturing in the U.S. increases
(production of cotton and more use of
interchangeable parts)
Andrew Jackson becomes a hero
Star-Spangled Banner is written by Francis
Scott Key
Page 41 (Table)
5. James Monroe (1817-1825)
• From Virginia, considered the last
President that was a “Founding
Father”
• Fought under Washington in the
Revolutionary War and studied law
under Thomas Jefferson
• Was a Virginia delegate to the
Constitutional Convention in 1787
• Tried to get elected to the first
Congress in 1788 but lost to James
Madison
• Virginia state legislature votes him
to Congress as a U.S. Senator
representing the state
Page 43
4. James Monroe (1817-1825)
Interesting Facts:
• Served as an officer under Washington
in the American Revolution
• Was fired as Minister for France by
Washington for being too “Pro-French”
• Elected governor of Virginia in 1799
• Was Secretary of State and War under
Madison during the War of 1812
• Elected President in 1816 and won in a
landslide
• Last President to use 18th century
fashions such as wearing powdered wigs
and knee breeches
• Five new states enter the Union during his
8 years as President
Monroe’s Presidency
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Defeated Rufus King a Federalist in
1816
First elected President to have his
inauguration outdoors and open to the
public
Did not move into the White House until
1818 due to having burned down by
the British in 1814
Page 43
Monroe’s Presidency
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Presidency is known as the “Era of
Good Feelings”
 No
competition from other political parties
 Increased feelings of nationalism,
patriotism and unity in the U.S.
 Country grows quickly and citizen’s
opportunities increase greatly
Page 43
U.S. Expansion
Mississippi (1817)
Illinois(1818)
Alabama (1818)
Maine (1820)
Missouri (1821)
Page 43
Acquisition of Florida (1819)
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Spanish territory is sold to the U.S.
Feared disputes with U.S. and had
hands full with other colonies
Unable to control Indian raids
U.S. military led by Gen. Andrew
Jackson invades Florida during Indian
Wars
Page 45
Missouri Compromise of 1820
Page 45
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Missouri is admitted as a slave state and Maine is admitted as a free state
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Keeps a balance in the U.S. Senate
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All future states from the Louisiana Territory north of the 36°30’ would be free
states
Monroe Doctrine (1823)
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Actually written by John Quincy Adams who was
Secretary of State
Almost all Spanish and Portuguese colonies in
Latin America have achieved independence
Threatens U.S. action against any European
country that tries to establish new colonies in
North or South America
Or tries to reclaim former colonies or interfere in
their independence
Page 45