Before we discuss Washington’s precedents, let’s make
sure we know some important terms to begin. Write a
definition and examples for each.
precedent: a prior example to help in
dealing with later similar circumstances,
i.e. George Washington sets many precedents as
the new nation’s first president (1789-1797).
domestic affairs: things only dealing with a
country itself
foreign affairs: things that affect a country
and another group outside the country,
such as another country
WRITE EXAMPLES FOR EACH. USE GROUPS AS NEEDED.
essential questions:
How did the precedents and other
important accomplishments of the
Federalist Period (1789-1820) help
make the United States what it is
today? PART 1: WASHINGTON’S PRESIDENCY
Before you fill in the column on the left, read
how each is a precedent. Then, explain below
which you think will be the most important
precedent and why. You may phrase your
response: “The one about _______ is most
important because _________.”
Washington’s precedents in domestic
affairs:
Washington created the Cabinet.
from left to right: George Washington, Secretary of War Henry Knox, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton,
Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph.
Washington signed the
Judiciary Act of 1789.
Washington supported Sec. of the Treasury
Hamilton’s economic plan:
• national bank
• federal government takes on state debt
• federal taxes
• capital in Washington, D.C.
Washington proved the federal government to
be more powerful than state or local interests
when he put down the Whiskey Rebellion.
Political cartoon
about tar and
feathering the tax
collector.
Historians believe that
this flag was used in
the brief protest.
A tax
collector
gets
tarred
and
feathered.
Troops
organize
and find
no
rebels.
Washington’s Farewell Address
encouraged the precedent of staying out of
“permanent alliances” and only serving two
terms.
Washington’s precedents in foreign
affairs:
Washington’s Proclamation of
Neutrality set the precedent that the US
would stay out of foreign conflicts.
We’re going to
stay out of this.
Europe, 1793
Pinckney’s Treaty set the precedent for
expansion through agreements with
European countries
that owned parts of
North America.
The Treaty of Greenville set the
precedent that the US would take Native
American land by whatever means necessary.
This painting by an officer on General Wayne’s staff shows Little Turtle, a Miami chief, speaking through an
interpreter to General Wayne (with one hand behind his back) during the negotiations that led to the Treaty of
Greenville.
consider:
Sometimes, two individuals in a group of friends
have a disagreement. How does this affect the
others among the group of friends?
precedent that Washington tried and
failed to stop (he hated political
parties):
DemocraticFederalist Party
Republican Party
vs.
Democratic-Republican party
Federalist party
(a.k.a. Jeffersonian Republicans, National
Republicans, or sometimes just Republicans)
leader
Alexander Hamilton
Thomas Jefferson
belief on
power of
government
believed in a strong central government
believed in strong state governments
belief on
economy
wanted to base economy on industry
and trade
wanted to base economy on farming
belief about
national bank
supported national bank
did not support national bank
foreign
allegiance
were pro-British
were pro-French
belief on
Constitution
supported a loose interpretation of the
Constitution (central government has
power to do anything “necessary and
proper,” meaning lots of things)
supported a strict interpretation of the
Constitution (central government can only
do what the Constitution specifically says
that it can do and nothing else)
where they
were found
mostly in the Northeast
mostly in the South and West
Based on the beliefs of both parties, which would you have likely joined (one
way to determine this is to count how many beliefs of each party you agree
with and join the one with the highest number)?
What do you think would be the most important belief of that political party that
caused you to join? Why?
Why did the two-party system emerge in the late 1700s?
Round Robin
1- A shares something
about the topic
(without looking).
2- B shares something
about the topic,
then C.
3- Repeat until time is
called.
If someone is stuck:
1- give a clue
2- give another clue
3- give an answer, then
ask them to repeat
Topic #2:
#1: descriptions of the
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
Slaps! rules
1. Remove all hard or sharp objects from
your dominant hand.
2. Pull your desks together so that
everyone can reach each desk in the
group.
3. Lay out the cards so that everyone can
reach each card.
4. When I describe a term, slap one and
only one term that fits that description.
5. Keep each card you slap first.