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 Received all electoral votes Electors wrote down 2 names Top winner became President, runner-up became Vice President Inaugurated on April 30, 1789 Inaugurated: sworn in Adams (Federalist) becomes VP Remained neutral in political parties His every action was seen as a precedent since he was the first president Precedent: an example No contest

Setting Up the Courts & Cabinet Constitution created the Supreme Court BUT left lots of decisions up to Congress Federal Judiciary Act (1789) 6 member Supreme Court Created lower federal courts- could settle cases dealing with national laws, states, or national gov’t Congress also created departments to help the President run the U.S. Heads of these became Washington’s cabinet Washington was able to select the men who led each department

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 relations between the U.S. and other countries

Economic Problems War debt Owed money to foreign countries, merchants, AND private citizens More than 52 million dollars About $1,291,836,000 today! (1.3 billion) Government leaders saw it as a requirement for the U.S. to pay this money back Wanted to maintain business relationship with those foreign countries Also wanted to be able to borrow money in the future

Hamilton’s Economic Plan Showed his belief in a strong central government 1. National govt should pay public debt 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 Washington supported his plan This plan would strengthen the national government Worried Anti-Feds who favored free enterprise free enterprise : business conducted without government control

Opposition to Hamilton’s Program Virginia (VA) and many other Southern states protests assuming state debts They had already paid their debts Did not 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 passed over protests of Jefferson and Madison Bank established in 1791

Beginnings of Political Parties Early disagreements over the creation of the new republic led to the creation of allies and enemies Republic: country governed by elected reps 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 Federalist Anti-Federalist (Republican)

Whiskey Rebellion Conflict arose over the new taxes Farmers refused to pay Whiskey Rebellion (1794) 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 was our biggest trading partner Britain was 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 served as 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