New Republic and Washington’s Presidency 1789-1797

Setting up the New Republic Setting up the National Government, Court Systems, Economy, and National Security

Washington takes the oath of office April 30, 1789 Federal Hall Washington

Washington’s Presidency All electoral votes Electors wrote 2 names 1st Place -President, 2nd Place-VP Inaugurated-April 30, 1789 Inaugurated: sworn in Adams (Federalist)-VP Washington-neutral in political parties Everything Washington did was a precedent since he was the first president Precedent: an example No contest

Setting Up the Courts & Cabinet Constitution created Supreme Court BUT many decisions left for Congress Federal Judiciary Act (1789) 6 member Supreme Court Created lower federal courts- settle cases dealing with national laws, states, or national gov’t Congress-created departments to help the President run the U.S. Dept. leaders chosen by Washington and became his cabinet

Forming the First Cabinet Sec. of Treasury-Hamilton Managed the country’s money Sec. of War-Knox Oversaw the country’s defenses Sec. of State-Jefferson Oversaw foreign relations

Economic Problems War debt Owed money to foreign countries, merchants, AND private citizens More than 52 million dollars in debt About $1,291,836,000 today! (1.3 billion) Government leaders-determined that the U.S. pay this money back, because they wanted… to maintain business relationship with those foreign countries to be able to borrow money in the future

Hamilton’s Economic Plan 4 Point Plan 1. National govt should pay public and state debt 2. Revenue (govt income) should be raised Favored tariffs: taxes on imported goods 3. Create a National Bank Safe place to keep govt money Would make loans Issue paper money 4. Whiskey Tax (future slide) Washington supported his plan This plan would strengthen the national government Worried Anti-Feds who favored free enterprise free enterprise : business conducted without govt control

Opposition to Hamilton’s Program Virginia (VA) and many other Southern states protested taking on other states debts already paid their debts Didn’t like helping the North Future capital is moved to D.C. as compromise National Bank Created a debate over interpretation of Constitution Loose (broad or flexible) vs. Strict (narrow or limited) Washington ignored protests of Jefferson and Madison Bank established-1791

Beginnings of Political Parties Early disagreements over the creation of the new republic led to the creation of allies and enemies Writers of the Constitution had to make it flexible for the many different situations that would emerge This also led to disagreements over its meaning Two camps emerge: Federalists Anti-Federalists (Republicans)

Whiskey Rebellion Conflict over the new taxes Farmers refused to pay Farmers in Pennsylvania beat up a tax collector Others threatened to attack Pittsburg (the capitol) Washington sent troops to control the rebels Proved that the govt could AND would enforce the law Whiskey Rebellion Flag

Foreign Policy: French Revolution To Help France… Or Not... They aided us during the Revolution Treaty still bound U.S. and France together as allies Jefferson favored helping Britain-biggest trading partner Britain against France Too risky to fight them again Hamilton favored NOT helping Washington decided that we would be neutral Congress passed a law forbidding aid to either side

Washington’s Farewell Although some opposed his policy of neutrality, he was a symbol of national unity for 8 years His farewell address provided advice and warnings for the country: Benefits of federal government Warns against political parties Importance of morality Stable credit Policy of neutrality Against over-powerful militaries