Washington and Adams Setting the Stage for American Presidents.
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Transcript of Washington and Adams Setting the Stage for American Presidents.
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
• 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
Washington Creates the Cabinet
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.