The Federalist Era Chapter 9 The First President

Laying the Foundations of Government After the Constitutional Convention and the ratifying of the constitution, the first thing they needed to do was elected a president Americans wanted George Washington as president based upon his war time experience, honesty, character and patriotism Washington really didn’t want the job In April 1789, members of the electoral college chose Washington (president) and John Adams (vice-president) The first place winner was president; second place was vice-president Capital was New York City (was Philadelphia under the Articles of Confederation)

Daily Life Mostly rural, only New York and Philadelphia had population over 25,000 People wanted Protection of liberties Fair tax laws Right to settle lands in the west Increase trade Everything that Washington did was setting a precedent (serves as an example) Set up cabinet Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of the Treasury

*All had experience in these areas Thomas Jefferson – Secretary of State Henry Knox – Secretary of War *All had experience in these areas

Federal Courts 1789 Congress passed the Judiciary Act Set up the federal court system (not specified in the Constitution) District courts Courts of appeals Supreme Court John Jay – first chief justice of the U.S.

Electoral College- has changed today how it is run: Video