GEORGE WASHINGTON’S
PRESIDENCY
Topic/Objective:
Precedents & tensions of
Washington’s presidency
Essential Question:
What precedents and challenges occurred
during Washington’s presidency?
* GEORGE WASHINGTON
1) Elected in 1789
2) As 1st president, GW knew that
every action he made would
set a precedent
3) Def'n of precedent:
An example that becomes
standard practice
* GEORGE WASHINGTON
4) Under GW, many political institutions & traditions were established:
 Precedent #1: "Mr. President" became the title used to address
the leader
 Precedent #2: GW began the practice of calling his cabinet
(heads of executive depts) to advise him on official matters
 Precedent #3: GW set the idea that TWO terms in office of
Pres should be the limit to avoid tyranny of rule by ONE
powerful leader
* ALEXANDER HAMILTON
1) Aide to GW in the Revolutionary War
2) Attended the Constitutional Convention
3) Signer of the US Constitution
4) Federalist
One of the authors of “The Federalists Papers”
Strong supporter for ratification of the Constitution
* ALEXANDER HAMILTON
5) Appointed Secretary of the Treasury by President
George Washington
* HAMILTON’S FINANCIAL PLAN
1) Hamilton believed in a strong national gov’t that would
encourage the growth of business to build the US economy.
2) During the Revolutionary War, the US borrowed millions
of dollars from France, Spain, & the Netherlands.
3) The national debt was more than $52 million!
* HAMILTON’S FINANCIAL PLAN
4) In 1790, Hamilton presented his financial plan to Congress.
5) Hamilton’s Financial Plan consisted of 3 parts:
Paying off all war debts
Raising government revenues
Creating a national bank
* HAMILTON’S FINANCIAL PLAN
6) Biggest opponent to Hamilton’s plan was Thomas
Jefferson; TJ argued that the Constitution did not mention a
nat’l bank so the gov’t could NOT create one.
7) Washington tried to avoid the conflict between Hamilton
& TJ; GW backed Hamilton’s idea for a nat’l bank.
8) This feud between Hamilton & TJ became the basis of the
creation of political parties
* END OF WASHINGTON'S PRESIDENCY
1) Although asked to run for a 3rd term, GW declined.
2) GW’s Farewell Speech expressed some major concerns:
 Warning #1 RE Foreign Policy:
Urged the US to remain neutral in relations w/other countries &
steer clear of foreign affairs. GW's advise led to the policy of
"isolationism" which the US followed up to WWI.
 Warning #2 RE Political Parties:
GW thought the creation of political parties would deeply divide
how the US should be run. Despite GW's warning, TWO political
parties emerged in the next election
* FORMATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES
1) Def ’n of political party: group of people that
tries to promote its ideas and influence government
2) Two opposing political parties with different ideas
on gov’t emerged: the Federalists & the DemocraticRepublicans
* FORMATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES
3) Federalists Political Party
Led by Alexander Hamilton & John Adams
Major Beliefs:
A. Strong national gov’t
B. Loose interpretation of the Constitution
C. Favored national bank
D. Economy based on manufacturing & trade
* FORMATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES
4) Democratic-Republicans Political Party
Led by Thomas Jefferson & James Madison
Major Beliefs:
A. Limited national gov’t
B. Strict interpretation of the Constitution
C. Opposed national bank
D. Economy based on agriculture