The Nation Begins: George Washington and our first Political Parties

Introduction After the creation of the Constitution, it was time to put our government into action and begin solving some of the nation’s problems After the creation of the Constitution, it was time to put our government into action and begin solving some of the nation’s problems George Washington would be responsible for setting precedents and solving problems that would influence future generations of presidents George Washington would be responsible for setting precedents and solving problems that would influence future generations of presidents Precedent: An example or decision made for later generations Precedent: An example or decision made for later generations These problems would cause divisions in our nation that would lead to our first political parties These problems would cause divisions in our nation that would lead to our first political parties

1 st President: George Washington In the nation’s first election, Washington received 100% of the electoral vote In the nation’s first election, Washington received 100% of the electoral vote 2 nd place went to John Adams who became Vice President 2 nd place went to John Adams who became Vice President In his time in office, Washington set several precedents that other presidents would follow In his time in office, Washington set several precedents that other presidents would follow Served two terms in office Served two terms in office Created a Cabinet Created a Cabinet Called himself Mr. President Called himself Mr. President “So help me God” at the end of the Oath of Office “So help me God” at the end of the Oath of Office

1 st President: George Washington First order of business: Creating a Cabinet Washington wanted to appoint advisors to help him with his duties as president. Choose four men, most notably political enemies Alexander Hamilton (Secretary of Treasury) and Thomas Jefferson (Secretary of State) Why would Washington pick two people who disagreed on everything? Hamilton Jefferson

Problems in the Nation With Washington as President and a Cabinet selected, the Nation needed to deal with its main national problem: With Washington as President and a Cabinet selected, the Nation needed to deal with its main national problem: Debt: Owing borrowed money to someone else Debt: Owing borrowed money to someone else Who did we owe? Who did we owe? Foreign Nations: $11.7 Million Foreign Nations: $11.7 Million Bonds to our people: $40.4 Million Bonds to our people: $40.4 Million Bond: Money loaned to the government by its people with the promise it will be repaid with interest. Bond: Money loaned to the government by its people with the promise it will be repaid with interest.

Problems in the Nation Washington turn to Hamilton (Secretary of the Treasury) to solve the problem Washington turn to Hamilton (Secretary of the Treasury) to solve the problem Hamilton’s plan: Hamilton’s plan: Pay back all of the Bonds to the people Pay back all of the Bonds to the people Establish a National Bank Establish a National Bank Tax whiskey Tax whiskey Pass a tariff on foreign goods Pass a tariff on foreign goods Jefferson agreed only after Hamilton agreed to place the capital in the middle of the nation; Washington D.C. Jefferson agreed only after Hamilton agreed to place the capital in the middle of the nation; Washington D.C.

Problems in the New Nation Hamilton’s plan works EXCEPT for one small problem… Hamilton’s plan works EXCEPT for one small problem… The people hate the tax on Whiskey and they start a rebellion in Pennsylvania called the Whiskey Rebellion The people hate the tax on Whiskey and they start a rebellion in Pennsylvania called the Whiskey Rebellion Upset the people are rising against another tax, Washington rides to PA with hundreds of men and stops the rebellion in its tracks Upset the people are rising against another tax, Washington rides to PA with hundreds of men and stops the rebellion in its tracks Farmers didn’t strike back out of fear/respect for Washington Farmers didn’t strike back out of fear/respect for Washington Significance: Proved that the government would enforce its laws no matter what Significance: Proved that the government would enforce its laws no matter what

Believe it or not, you could stuff that into a grocery bag and walk around with it. (100 packets of $10,000).

While a measly $1 million looked a little unimpressive, $100 million is a little more respectable. It fits neatly on a standard pallet...

And $1 BILLION dollars... now we're really getting somewhere...

Next we'll look at ONE TRILLION dollars. This is that number we've been hearing so much about. What is a trillion dollars? Well, it's a million million. It's a thousand billion. It's a one followed by 12 zeros.

Current Budget for the Government.

Political Parties: Federalists v. Democratic-Republicans The differences between Jefferson and Hamilton would lead to the nation’s first political parties The differences between Jefferson and Hamilton would lead to the nation’s first political parties, John Adams, James Madison

Political Parties: Federalists v. Democratic-Republicans After two terms, Washington walked away from office, giving advice to future generations…read excerpt with your table After two terms, Washington walked away from office, giving advice to future generations…read excerpt with your table Excerpt 1: American need to be weary of political parties because they will stop listening to the issues and simply elect people due to their party, not their merit Excerpt 1: American need to be weary of political parties because they will stop listening to the issues and simply elect people due to their party, not their merit Excerpt 2:America should not trust long standing foreign treaties Excerpt 2:America should not trust long standing foreign treaties

2 nd President: John Adams Adams (Federalist) defeats Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) to secede Washington as President Adams (Federalist) defeats Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) to secede Washington as President Adams was less secure then Washington, hated criticism Adams was less secure then Washington, hated criticism Passed the Sedition Act: Law making it illegal to criticize the government Passed the Sedition Act: Law making it illegal to criticize the government Violated the… Violated the… Law was eventually overturned, but Adams would not win re-election four years later Law was eventually overturned, but Adams would not win re-election four years later