Washington and
Adams
Setting the Stage for American
Presidents
Chapter 6 Reading Quiz
•
•
•
•
•
Marbury v. Madison
Whiskey Rebellion
Bank of the US
XYZ Affair
Louisiana Purchase
First Elections
• Washington was the
first president under
the Constitution.
• He took office on
April 16, 1789 by a
unanimous vote in
the first presidential
ballot.
• Constitution only
foundation not
blueprint
Did You Know???
 Washington had no actual
desire to become president
 His plan was to settle down
in his new Virginia Estate
commonly known as Mt.
Vernon.
America wanted Washington
because as the Revolutionary
War hero he was a strong
leader with great authority.
The New Government
Takes Shape
“We are in the wilderness
without a single footstep to
guide us.” James Madison
Figuring out
Washington
• In table partner groups you will be assigned 1 of
4 Primary Source Readings regarding George
Washington’s beliefs and policies.
• Read each set of documents and as a group
answer the questions. You will then be paired
with another group who read the same
documents and compare your answers. One
person from each group will present the groups
findings to the class as a whole.
Figuring out
Washington
• Group One Readings: Federal Union
– How is the American nation guided by divine
providence?
– According to Washington, why is the United States
unique among nations of the world?
– How does government best serve the interests of the
people?
– What are the feelings of Southerners toward the
national government? According to Washington, what
factors are responsible for these attitudes?
– What concerns does Washington express regarding
future adherence to the excise tax on whiskey?
Figuring out
Washington
• Group Two Readings: Political Factions
– According to Washington, should differences of opinion be
put aside in the interest of unity?
– How do political factors obstruct the functions of
government?
– Why does Washington feel that the nation will be torn
asunder by political factions?
– According to Washington, what role have gazettes
(newspapers) played in promoting discord?
– What is the tone of Washington's letter to Jefferson?
Figuring out
Washington
• Group Three Readings: Whiskey Rebellion
– Why does Washington believe it is important for the government to act?
– According to Washington, what are the consequences of taking no
action?
– What is Washington referring to when he says "we may bid adieu to all
government in this Country, except Mob and Club Govt."?
– In Washington's view, once a law is passed by the Congress what is
the responsibility of citizens?
– According to Washington, to what extent was Citizen Edmund Genet,
the French ambassador, responsible for the discontent in western
Pennsylvania?
Figuring out
Washington
• Group Four Readings: Permanent Alliances
– Why is Washington concerned over the outbreak of war in
Europe?
– Why does Washington believe there is a need for
immediate action?
– Why did Washington feel neutrality was the wisest course
of action?
– According to Washington, was the Proclamation of
Neutrality a violation of the Franco-American alliance?
– Why would Washington advise the nation to "steer clear of
permanent alliances?" In your opinion, was this good
advice in the 1790s? Would you consider it a wise policy in
today's world? Explain.
Judicial System
• George Washington
created the Judicial
system which provided:
– Supreme Court with a
Chief Justice and 5
associate justices.
– Judiciary Act of 1789 –
set up the structure of
Supreme and Federal
Courts
Washington Creates
the Cabinet
• Make policies & carry out laws
• First Cabinet Consisted of:
– Vice President – John Adams
– Secretary of State:
Thomas Jefferson
– Secretary of Treasury:
Alexander Hamilton
– Secretary of War:
Henry Knox
– Chief Lawyer of Federal
Government:
Edmond Randolph
Hamilton’s Economic Plan
• His job – set the
nation’s economy
on a firm footing.
• His plan had two
parts:
– Plan to manage
America’s debts
– Plan to establish a
national banking
system.
Plan to Manage Debts
• Millions in debt.
– 2/3 of American debt was
held by the national
government and 1/3 by
individual states.
• Hamilton proposed that
the federal government
pay the debts of the
states – this greatly
angered the Southern
states who had already
paid their debts – they felt
they would be taxed to
pay off other states’
debts.
Plan for the National Bank
• Funded by federal
government and wealthy
private investors.
• The Bank of the U.S.
would issue paper
money and handle tax
receipts and other
government funds.
– Very controversial –
opponents feared it would
tie government finances
to wealthy business
interests.
• It was eventually
established
The Birth of Political Parties
Hamilton vs. Jefferson

Read the Background info and take detailed
notes in the chart for your assigned
statesman.
 Then create a character collage of that person
representing their personality, beliefs and
stance on political issues.
 You must include at least 5 symbols/images, 3
key words or short phrases, 2 quotes that
symbolize a key value or belief, and it must be
neat, thoughtful, and colorful as to appeal to
my aesthetics.
Alexander Hamilton (Federalist)




Supported a strong
central government led
by wealthy and educated
Key to a strong nation=
commerce & industry
Established 1st National
Bank- Bank of the United
States
Loose interpretation of
Constitution
Thomas Jefferson
(Democratic Republicans)





Mistrusted a strong central
government and the rich
Advocated for strong state
governments
Society of farm citizens
Strict interpretation of the
Constitution
Supported by the “plain
people”
Whiskey Rebellion
• Reflected tensions
between federal and
regional interests.
• Frontier farmers who
produced corn to be
made into whiskey
violently protested
Hamilton’s tax on
whiskey.
• Significance: showed
the federal government
could enforce the law in
the western frontier.
Washington’s View…
 He
feared the two-party
system because they were
a danger to national unity.
Washington’s Legacy
• Washington held office for eight
years.
• During this time he had no political
party.
• Set the foundation for all American
presidents to follow.