George Washington’s Presidency
Who are you fooling?
Everyone knows that the
cherry tree story is a myth.
Learning Targets
I can analyze the influence that the Founding Fathers had on
the development of our nation.
• I can identify the purpose of the Cabinet.
• I can explain why political parties began.
• I can describe the basic beliefs of the Federalists and of the
Democratic-Republicans.
I can analyze the roots of the conflict that culminated in the
Civil War.
• I can contrast nationalism and sectionalism.
• I can describe the effects of sectionalism on the U.S. in its
early years.
I can analyze the evolution of social class conflict in the U.S.
• I can explain the purpose of and controversy over the
National Bank.
Washington’s Character & Cabinet
• George Washington was in charge of the new
government.
• He chose trusted leaders to help him govern,
because he was not an expert in all areas.
– Called this group The Cabinet
– Showed willingness to share the power
Formation of Political Parties
• Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed on policies.
– Washington wanted different points of view.
– Their differences became so big that political parties
developed around them.
• Federalists supported Hamilton.
• Democratic-Republicans supported Jefferson.
No connection to today’s
Republicans. This is actually the
birth of the Democratic party we
know today.
Hamilton’s National Bank
• Hamilton proposed a national bank.
– Board of Directors made up of rich people (to keep them
involved in the gov’t)
– Kept gov’t money safe
– Loaned money to the gov’t
• Democratic-Republicans
didn’t like this idea.
– Said it was an “unhealthy
alliance” between gov’t and
businesses
– Thought it was unconstitutional
Nationalism vs. Sectionalism
• Nationalism – putting the nation’s interests
above local interests
• Sectionalism – putting local or state interests
above national interests
Hamilton vs. Jefferson
Federalists
• Strong national gov’t
(nationalism)
• Upper-class rule
(Republic)
• Loose interpretation of
Constitution
• Yes, national bank
• Economy based on
industry
Democratic-Republicans
• Strong local gov’ts
(sectionalism)
• Common people rule
(Democracy)
• Strict interpretation of
Constitution
• No national bank
• Economy based on
farming
please no…
Learning Targets
I can analyze the influence that the Founding Fathers had on
the development of our nation.
 I can identify the purpose of the Cabinet.

 I can explain why political parties began.


 I can describe the basic beliefs of the Federalists and of the
Democratic-Republicans.
I can analyze the roots of the conflict that culminated in the
Civil War.
 I can contrast nationalism and sectionalism.

 I can describe the effects of sectionalism on the U.S. in its

early years.
I can analyze the evolution of social class conflict in the U.S.
 I can explain the purpose of and controversy over the

National Bank.