The Washington Presidency:

By: Tyler Snyder, Shawn Zhao, and Brad Sears

A Discussion of the Many Roles of Our First Leader

As displayed by this portrait of George Washington, he certainly wasn’t an ordinary man. He had fancy clothes and products and didn’t hesitate to display it to the American public.

Washington’s Cabinet

• Secretary of State – Thomas Jefferson, 1789

– Edmund Randolph, 1794

– Timothy Pickering, 1795

• Secretary of the Treasury– Alexander Hamilton, 1789

– Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 1795

• Secretary of War – Henry Knox, 1789

– Timothy Pickering, 1795

– James McHenry, 1796

• Attorney General – Edmund Randolph, 1789

– William Bradford, 1794– Charles Lee, 1795

Economic Issues• Hamilton’s Fiscal Plan

– Planned to jumpstart the economy • Encouraged buying of American goods- Tariff of 1789

• Made tax on liquor- revenue for government

– Domestic Debt• Gave out new bonds- time for payments

– Assumed State Debt

– Tried to establish American credit- Bank of America

• Whiskey Tax Rebellion– Situation

• Western Farmers frustrated with taxing- Rebellion

• Washington sends large militia to suppress actions- wants to protect Union

Foreign Policy– Relations with France

• French Revolution

– Conflict in Washington administration» Thomas Jefferson wants to help France- promote international independence

» Alexander Hamilton wants continued trade with GB

– Washington maintains Neutrality» Increase trade, no more debt

– Jay’s Treaty• British withdrawal from American lands, allow for trade, prevents war with GB

– TJ frustrated- France in jeopardy

– People feel that Washington has sold out to Britain

– Pinckney's Treaty• Negotiations with Spain- allowed Americans to navigate Mississippi- settled down west

conflict, commerce increased

Foreign Policy (Continued)

– Relations with the Native Americans• Congress passed Indian Intercourse Act

– Allowed trading with Indian tribes, made legal means of obtaining land

– Many western settlers ignored agreement- conflict continues

» Example: Little Turtle in Northwest Territory

Map of Westward Expansion by 1790

This map describes the state and national land

claims during Washington’s Presidency

This newspaper printing depicts the famous feud between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton

Washington truly faced much domestic violence and conflict during

his presidency. This portrait of the Whiskey Rebellion shows Washington and his militia

controlling the angered western farmers.

Washington’s Farewell Address• Insisted that Americans stay out of European political affairs

– If not, will lose liberty in European struggles

• Keep commercial- maintain diverse trade– “peace, commerce and honest friendship”

– Hinted at form of isolationism

"The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in

extending our commercial relations to have as little politicalconnection as possible... Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of

any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils ofEuropean ambition, rivalships, interest, humor, or caprice?... It is our

true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion ofthe foreign world.“

~George Washington

“My first wish is to

see this plague

of mankind, war, banished from the

earth.”

“Observe good faith and justice

toward all nations. Cultivate peace

and harmony with all.”

George Washington Quotes

“I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”

“Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.”

“It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.”

This modern twist on the story involved behind Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton depicts the famous gun fight they had.

This is another demonstration that Washington set an

aristocrat/European political aspect to his presidency

Precedents• Only serve 2 terms

• Executive figure named the “president”

• Use of government power to enforce the law

• Use of cabinet in decisions

• Neutrality in European political actions

• Emphasis on domestic issues- remain commercial

"Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none."

~ Thomas Jefferson’s reflection on George Washington’s foreign policy

Bibliography• "Aaron Burr." People and Events. 2008. Public Broadcasting Service. 21 Oct 2008

<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/duel/peopleevents/pande01.html>.

• Faragher, John Mack. "The New Nation."Out of Many. Revised 3rd ed. 2003.

• "George Washington." Past Presidents. 2008. The White House. 21 Oct 2008

• <http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gw1.html>.

• "George Washington Quotes." Famous Quotes and Quotations. 2008. BrainyQuotes. 21 Oct 2008 <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html>.

• "Thomas Jefferson." Past Presidents. 2008. The White House. 21 Oct 2008 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/tj3.html>.