Chapter 6 Washington Heads the New Government

New Government Takes Shape George Washington becomes the 1ST president of the United States under the Constitution. George Washington becomes the 1ST president of the United States under the Constitution. Unsure if the government could really function based on the “will of the people”. Unsure if the government could really function based on the “will of the people”. –No prior example to follow to create a working government –Washington/Congress had to make practical decisions (i.e. raise revenue, provide for defense, etc.)

Judiciary Act 1st task addressed by Wash/Congress was creating a Judicial System. 1st task addressed by Wash/Congress was creating a Judicial System. –Constitution authorized Congress to set up a federal court system headed by a Supreme Court Judicial Act of 1789 Judicial Act of 1789 –This law provided for: »Supreme Court consisting of a Chief Justice & 5 associate justices. »3 federal circuit courts and 13 federal district courts throughout the country (increased over time). »One important provisions, allowed state court decisions to be appealed to a federal court when constitutional issues were raised.

Executive Branch In addition to a Judicial system, Washington also needed to create an Executive branch (enforce laws). In addition to a Judicial system, Washington also needed to create an Executive branch (enforce laws). Initially, the Exe. Branch consisted of the President and Vice President. Initially, the Exe. Branch consisted of the President and Vice President. To help Congress created 3 executive departments: To help Congress created 3 executive departments: –Dept. of State - to deal with foreign affairs –Dept. of War - to deal with military matters –Dept. of Treasury - to manage finances

The Cabinet Washington chose leaders he knew and trusted: Washington chose leaders he knew and trusted: –Thomas Jefferson - Secretary of State –Alexander Hamilton - Secretary of Treasury –Henry Knox - Secretary of War –Edmund Randolph - Attorney General These department heads became the president’s chief advisors, or Cabinet. These department heads became the president’s chief advisors, or Cabinet.

Hamilton vs. Jefferson Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had different political ideas which caused conflict. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had different political ideas which caused conflict. –Hamilton believed in a strong central gov’t led by a rich, educated elite. –Jefferson favored strong state and local governments led by a society of farmer- citizens.

Hamilton’s Economic Plan As Sect. of Treasury, it was Hamilton’s job to manage the nation’s finances. As Sect. of Treasury, it was Hamilton’s job to manage the nation’s finances. His plan set out to: His plan set out to: –Manage the country’s debt –Establish a national banking system Managing the country’s debt: Managing the country’s debt: –Pay off foreign debt –Issue new bonds to cover the old ones –Wanted the federal government to assume debts of the states

National Bank National Bank which would be funded by federal government and wealthy private investors. National Bank which would be funded by federal government and wealthy private investors. Bank of the United States would issue paper money, handle tax receipts, and other government funds. Bank of the United States would issue paper money, handle tax receipts, and other government funds. This started a controversy over the Constitution: This started a controversy over the Constitution: –Strict interpretation - federal gov’t has very limited powers –Loose interpretation - favored greater federal powers Hamilton convinced Washington/Congress and the federal government to establish the Bank of the United States. Hamilton convinced Washington/Congress and the federal government to establish the Bank of the United States.

Washington D.C. To gain support of Southern states for his debt plan, Hamilton suggested the nation’s capital be moved to a new city in the South. To gain support of Southern states for his debt plan, Hamilton suggested the nation’s capital be moved to a new city in the South. This idea pleased Southerners because they believed it would make the government more responsive to their needs. This idea pleased Southerners because they believed it would make the government more responsive to their needs. In 1790, the nation’s capital was constructed in District of Columbia, located between Maryland and Virginia. In 1790, the nation’s capital was constructed in District of Columbia, located between Maryland and Virginia.

Political Parties Continued arguments between Hamilton and Jefferson divided the cabinet. Continued arguments between Hamilton and Jefferson divided the cabinet. Federalists - those who support Hamilton’s vision of a strong central government Federalists - those who support Hamilton’s vision of a strong central government Republicans - those who support Jefferson’s view of strong state governments Republicans - those who support Jefferson’s view of strong state governments This was considered a Two-Party System. This was considered a Two-Party System.

Whiskey Rebellion Congress passed a Protective Tariff, an import tax on goods produced in Europe. Congress passed a Protective Tariff, an import tax on goods produced in Europe. –This encouraged American production which helped bring in revenue. –Hamilton wanted more. Excise tax, a tax on a product’s manufacture, sale, or distribution, specifically Whiskey. –In1794, farmers refused to pay the tax, beat up federal marshals in Pittsburgh and threatened to secede from the Union. Hamilton & federal troops sent to halt the rebels and was successful. Hamilton & federal troops sent to halt the rebels and was successful.

Foreign Policy Section 2 France and England resumed their war in America wanted to stay neutral. France and England resumed their war in America wanted to stay neutral. Ohio Valley Conflict – the U.S. wanted to expand westward. Britain was giving ammunition to the Native Americans to prevent this expansion. When U.S. troops defeated the Native Americans at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the U.S. now had Ohio. Ohio Valley Conflict – the U.S. wanted to expand westward. Britain was giving ammunition to the Native Americans to prevent this expansion. When U.S. troops defeated the Native Americans at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the U.S. now had Ohio.

Relationship with Europe French Revolution – the U.S. thought it was a good idea to begin with, but then became divided along party lines. French Revolution – the U.S. thought it was a good idea to begin with, but then became divided along party lines. The U.S. signed treaties with Britain and Spain to keep peace. Britain no longer had any forts on U.S. soil and had free shipping rights along the Mississippi River and access to New Orleans. The U.S. signed treaties with Britain and Spain to keep peace. Britain no longer had any forts on U.S. soil and had free shipping rights along the Mississippi River and access to New Orleans.

Washington Retires President Washington retired after his 2 nd term in office. A policy that would be followed until the 1940’s. President Washington retired after his 2 nd term in office. A policy that would be followed until the 1940’s. John Adams narrowly defeats Thomas Jefferson in the election of Jefferson becomes Vice-President. John Adams narrowly defeats Thomas Jefferson in the election of Jefferson becomes Vice-President.

Federalist v. Democratic-Republicans The two parties debated over foreign policy The two parties debated over foreign policy Adams was not popular, he was honest and dedicated, but lack tact. Adams was not popular, he was honest and dedicated, but lack tact. X,Y,Z Affair – this lead to congress expanding the Army and building war ships, which then lead to more taxes on stamps and land. X,Y,Z Affair – this lead to congress expanding the Army and building war ships, which then lead to more taxes on stamps and land.

Alien and Sedition Acts These acts were passed in These acts were passed in The Alien Act authorized the President to arrest and deport immigrants who criticized the federal government. The Alien Act authorized the President to arrest and deport immigrants who criticized the federal government. The Sedition Act made it a crime for citizens to publicly discredit the federal government. The Sedition Act made it a crime for citizens to publicly discredit the federal government.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolution Both of these states were Democratic- Republican states. Both of these states were Democratic- Republican states. Jefferson and Madison helped write these resolutions that declared the Sedation Act unconstitutional. Jefferson and Madison helped write these resolutions that declared the Sedation Act unconstitutional.

Election of 1800 Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr win the election in 1800, defeating John Adams in a very close election. Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr win the election in 1800, defeating John Adams in a very close election. Actually Jefferson and Burr tied with the same number of electoral votes. The House of Representatives decided on Jefferson. In 1804 the constitution was amended to make sure this did not happen again. Actually Jefferson and Burr tied with the same number of electoral votes. The House of Representatives decided on Jefferson. In 1804 the constitution was amended to make sure this did not happen again.