Early Republic
A New Nation
George Washington
America’s 1st President
Section 1 – The First President
Taking office…
• Washington was the top vote getter
• 2nd runner up was John Adams –
becomes the Vice-President
• April 30, 1789 – inaugurated/sworn
in New York City
• Inauguration – the ceremony in
which the President takes the oath of
office
Taking office…
• All eyes were on him – everything he did
set a precedent for following presidents
• Precedent – an act or a decision that sets
an example for others to follow.
• Congress decided to call him
“Mr. President”
Washington faced several major challenges as he
worked to create a functioning federal republic as
he worked to establish the foreign and domestic
policies for the United States
• Define the authority of the central government
• Create a stable economic system
• Build a military
• Maintain national security
• Conduct foreign relations
• Enter into treaties with Indian tribes
The First Cabinet…
• Congress created departments to
help the President lead the nation
•
•
•
•
Secretary of War
Secretary of Treasury
Secretary of State
Attorney General
Economic Problems…
• $54 million in national debt
• National debt: the total amount of money
that a government owes to others
• Hamilton created a plan that reflected his
belief in a strong central government
• Thought that the government should
encourage business and industry (free
enterprise)
Hamilton’s Financial Plan (as Secretary of Treasury)
Pay off all war
debts
Create a
national bank
Establish a
whiskey tax
Create
protective
tariffs
Establish the
nation’s credit
Place to deposit
collected taxes
Led to Whiskey
Rebellion
Ended up hurting
American
businesses and
farmers
Hamilton’s Financial Plan
(as Secretary of Treasury)
• He also promised to build a new capital
city in Virginia (later named Washington
DC)
Hamilton’s Financial Plan
(as Secretary of Treasury)
• The only part of Hamilton’s plan that
was not approved was the protective
tariff
THOUGHT SPOT
•Imagine you are a
representative in
Congress in 1794. Would
you have supported
Hamilton’s financial plan?
Why or why not?
Conflict
• Madison and Jefferson believed Hamilton’s
plan would only benefit the wealthy
• They also believed the Constitution did not
give the federal government the right to
create a national bank
• A rift begins to form among Washington’s
government officials, and
political parties begin to arise
First 2 Political Parties
•Federalists
•Democratic-Republicans
(often called just
Republicans)
Causes
Differences
•philosophy of government
•interpretation of Constitution
•economic interests
•perspective on foreign affairs
Effects
•2 parties can propose
different solutions
•Each party nominates
candidates
•Political parties become a
way of American life
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Main Party Leaders
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
Alexander Hamilton,
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson,
James Madison
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Constitutional Views
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
“Loose” – should take
necessary steps to
govern the nation
“Strict” – should only
have powers stated in
the Constitution
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Views on Government
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
Favored a strong
national government
Favored states’ rights
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Views on Foreign Policy
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
Pro-British – feared
mob rule
Pro-French –
sympathized with the
want for freedom
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Main Supporters
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
Merchants and
manufacturers
(wealthy)
Farmers and skilled
craftsmen
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Who Should Vote
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
Only those who own
property (wealthy)
Open to all adult
males
Whiskey Rebellion…
• Farmers living west of the Appalachian
Mountains often converted their excess
grain into whiskey, which was easier to
carry over the mountains than bushels of
grain
• The new federal whiskey tax imposed by
Congress caused great hostility among
them
Whiskey Rebellion…
• Farmers in western Pennsylvania refused to
pay the tax and threatened tax collectors
• Washington quickly called up the militia to
put down the rebellion
• Washington was ready to use force, but the
rebel farmers fled before any fighting took
place
• Proved the federal government was not
afraid to use military force to enforce the
law
Whiskey Rebellion…
• The WHISKEY REBELLION tested
the will of the new government.
Washington’s quick response
proved to Americans that their new
government would act firmly in
times of crisis. The President also
showed those who disagreed with
the government that violence
would not be tolerated.
THOUGHT SPOT
•How were Shays’
Rebellion and the Whiskey
Rebellion handled
differently? Explain your
answer.
• Watch video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH8tIuP4AMU
Setting Up the Courts…
• Constitution created the Supreme
Court but left many things for
Congress to decide, such as…
• the # of justices
• how much power the Supreme Court
would have
• creation of the federal court system
Judiciary Act of 1789
• Set up federal courts with the power
to reverse state court decisions
• Washington named John Jay as the
first Chief Justice
Washington’s Foreign Policy &
the French Revolution 1789
• French farmers and poor – rebelled
against King and Queen (who were
beheaded)
• French people wanted a constitution
with rights — like the US had
• America’s success in the American
Revolution influenced the French
Revolution
Washington’s Foreign Policy &
the French Revolution 1789
• France declared war on Britain in 1793
• US was put in an awkward position
• Jefferson – US should help because the
French helped us in the American
Revolution
• Hamilton – but Britain’s trade was too
important to risk for war
Washington’s Foreign Policy &
the French Revolution 1789
• Washington issued the Proclamation
of Neutrality in April 1793
• Stated that US would not get involved in
European affairs
• President Washington refused to help
the French against their government
• This was a defeat to Jefferson; this along
with other defeats led Jefferson to leave the
cabinet
Most Important Precedent…
• Refused to run
3rd term
• Worried the
executive branch
would be too
powerful
• Followed until
1940
Washington Retires
• Served from 1789-1797
• Greatly admired by the American
people
• 8 years in office
• created national unity
• 2nd term – difficult due to
splits in political ideology
Farewell Advice – AVOID PDA!
• US should remain neutral dealing
with other countries – avoid
alliances
• Political differences could weaken
the nation – DO NOT split into
political parties!
• Avoid national debt
Washington’s Farewell Address
“ Tis our true policy to steer clear of
permanent Alliances, with any portion of the
foreign nations … to have them as little
political connection as possible.”
– George Washington
Farewell Address, 1796
Washington did not oppose foreign trade,
but rejected alliances that could drag the
nation into war. His advice guided foreign
policy for many years!