Early Republic A New Nation

Early RepublicA New Nation

George WashingtonAmerica’s 1st President

Section 1 – The First PresidentTaking 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

• 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”

Taking office…

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

• Congress created departments to help the President lead the nation

• Secretary of War• Secretary of Treasury• Secretary of State• Attorney General

The First Cabinet…

• $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)

Economic Problems…

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

• 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

Hamilton’s Financial Plan(as Secretary of Treasury)

THOUGHT SPOT

• Imagine you are a representative in Congress in 1794. Would you have supported Hamilton’s financial plan? Why or why not?

• 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

Conflict

• Federalists• Democratic-Republicans (often called just Republicans)

First 2 Political Parties

Differences• philosophy of government• interpretation of Constitution• economic interests• perspective on foreign affairs

Causes

• 2 parties can propose different solutions

• Each party nominates candidates

• Political parties become a way of American life

Effects

Main Party Leaders

Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans

Federalists Democratic-Republicans

Alexander Hamilton, John Adams

Thomas Jefferson, James Madison

Constitutional Views



“Loose” – should take necessary steps to govern the nation

“Strict” – should only have powers stated in the Constitution

Views on Government



Favored a strong national government

Favored states’ rights

Views on Foreign Policy



Pro-British – feared mob rule

Pro-French – sympathized with the want for freedom

Main Supporters



Merchants and manufacturers (wealthy)

Farmers and skilled craftsmen

Who Should Vote



Only those who own property (wealthy)

Open to all adult males

• 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


• 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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH8tIuP4AMU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH8tIuP4AMU

• 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

Setting Up the Courts…

• Set up federal courts with the power to reverse state court decisions

• Washington named John Jay as the first Chief Justice

Judiciary Act of 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 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


• Refused to run 3rd term

• Worried the executive branch would be too powerful

• Followed until 1940

Most Important Precedent…

• 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

Washington Retires

• 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

Farewell Advice – AVOID PDA!

“ Tis our true policy to steer clear ofpermanent Alliances, with any portion of theforeign nations … to have them as littlepolitical connection as possible.”

– George WashingtonFarewell Address, 1796

Washington did not oppose foreign trade,but rejected alliances that could drag thenation into war. His advice guided foreignpolicy for many years!

Washington’s Farewell Address

Early Republic A New Nation

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