The first difficult years Unit 3 Part II The first difficult years

The first President On April 30, 1789, George Washington was sworn in as President. After Washington’s inauguration, Congress created the executive departments. Inauguration-ceremony that installs a new president John Adams was elected Vice-President

Washington’s inauguration

Executive departments State Department- to carry on relations with other nations. Headed by Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson. Department of War- to defend the country. Headed by Secretary of War, Henry Knox. Treasury Department- to handle the government’s money. Headed by Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton.

The Cabinet In addition to the executive departments, an Attorney General position was created to be the President’s legal advisor. Also a Postmaster General was created to run the postal system. The department heads, known as the cabinet, advised the President. Cabinet-executive department heads that advise the President.

The First cabinet

Questions What does the Secretary of State do? What does the Secretary of Treasury do? What does the Secretary of War do? What does the Attorney General do? What is the purpose of the Cabinet?

Court System Congress created a court system headed by the Supreme Court called the Judiciary Act of 1789. Under the Supreme Court (1) were the Circuit Court of Appeals (3), under the Circuit courts were the District Courts (13).

Federalists vs Republicans Congress was divided into Federalists and Republicans. Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, wanted a strong national government. Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, wanted to protect states’ rights by keeping the central government weak.

Questions Who led the Federalists? What did they believe? Who led the Republicans? What did they believe?

The Congress Congress raised funds through tariffs. Tariffs-taxes on imports Congress had issued bonds to patriots who lent it money. After the war, Congress had no money to pay off its bonds. People desperate for money sold their bonds to speculators. Bond- a promise to repay a loan plus interest Speculator- people who risk buying, hoping to profit if the price rises

Questions Define these words: Tariffs- Bond- Speculator-

Hamilton’s Plan Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, proposed that the federal government pay off both national and state debts. Northern states had large debts and favored the plan. Most southern states opposed it because they paid their debts. Congress approved the plan after Hamilton agreed to support a southern site for the capital city.

Jefferson vs Hamilton Alexander Hamilton(Federalist) wanted to set up a national bank. Thomas Jefferson (Republican) said a national bank was not constitutional. Jefferson called for strict construction of the Constitution, Hamilton argued for loose construction of the Constitution. In the end, the Congress voted for the bank. To this day, Americans disagree on how to interpret the Constitution.

Vocabulary Loose construction- the view that the government has broader powers than those listed in the Constitution. Strict construction- the view that the government has the power to do only what is written in the Constitution. Constitutional- permitted by the Constitution.

Republicans V.S. Federalists Thomas Jefferson Alexander hamilton Republicans V.S. Federalists

Question What were the differences between Hamilton’s Plan and Jefferson’s Plan?

End of Washington’s first term In 1792, Washington was ready to retire. The endless arguing in Congress had left him weary of political life. Because of the growing problems between Hamilton and Jefferson, both men convinced Washington to run for a second term. He was the only leader, they said, who was able to stand above the quarrels and keep the new government from flying apart. Washington was re-elected President and John Adams for Vice President.

Washington –Reelected President

John Adams –Reelected Vice -President