The First Five Presidents USI – 7c The First Five Presidents

Congress and the first five presidents made decisions establishing a strong national government that helped the nation grow in size and power.

What were the major national issues and events faced by the first five presidents?

All of the first five presidents were Virginians except John Adams. Not a Virginian 

George Washington (1789-1797) Federal court system was established

George Washington The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution of the United States of America.

George Washington Plans were created for development of the national capitol in Washington, D.C. Benjamin Banneker, an African American astronomer and surveyor, helped complete the design for the city.

George Washington

John Adams (1797-1801) A two-party system emerged during his presidency.

John Adams

Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809) He bought Louisiana from France (Louisiana Purchase).

The Louisiana Purchase 1803: Thomas Jefferson paid $15 Million dollars to Napoleon for the Louisiana Territory which covered around 828,000 square miles. This purchase doubled the size of the United States’ territory and included 15 modern states. Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory for under three cents an acre!

Thomas Jefferson Lewis and Clark explored this new land west of the Mississippi River. Wrote Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson

James Madison (1809-1817) The War of 1812 caused European nations to gain respect for the United States.

James Madison

James Monroe (1817-1825) He introduced the Monroe Doctrine warning European nations not to interfere in the Western Hemisphere.

Monroe Doctrine- 1823

James Monroe