The American Nation Chapter 9 Launching the New Government, 1789–1800 Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.

The American Nation Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved. Section 1: Washington Takes Office Section 2: Creating a Foreign Policy Section 3: Political Parties Emerge Section 4: The Second President Chapter 9: Launching the New Government, 1789–1800

Chapter 9, Section 1 Washington Takes Office What steps did Washington take to make the new government work? What was Hamilton’s plan to reduce the nation’s debt and build the economy? What were the causes and results of the Whiskey Rebellion?

Chapter 9, Section 1 Making the New Government Work First InaugurationWashington was inaugurated on April 30, A presidential inauguration is the ceremony in which the President takes the oath of office. The first inaugural was a simple affair. First CabinetCongress created five departments to help the President. The heads of the departments made up the Cabinet. Members of the Cabinet advised the President and directed their departments. Washington set a precedent, or an example for others to follow, by choosing well-known leaders to serve in the Cabinet. The Judiciary ActIn 1789, Congress passed the Judiciary Act, which set up the federal court system. Washington named John Jay the first Chief Justice of the United States. Time in OfficeWashington set another precedent when he decided not to run for a third term. Not until 1940 did any President seek a third term.

Chapter 9, Section 1 The Nation’s Debt

Chapter 9, Section 1 Hamilton’s Plan for the Economy The Problem The United States had a huge national debt—the total amount of money that a government owes to others. The national government and state governments had borrowed by issuing bonds—certificates that promise to repay the money loaned, plus interest, on a certain date. The Debate Alexander Hamilton (Washington’s Secretary of the Treasury)— believed the federal government must repay both federal and state debts by buying up the old bonds and issuing new ones. His argument was that the United States must repay all debts so it won’t lose the trust of investors. James Madison— believed Hamilton’s plan would reward speculators— people who invest in a risky venture in hopes of a large profit. Madison believed the speculators should not make a big profit on the war. Besides, most southern states have already paid their debts. Other states should do the same. The Compromise Hamilton promised to support putting the nation’s capital in the South (Washington, D.C.) if southerners would agree to his plan for repaying state debts as well.

Chapter 9, Section 1 Hamilton’s Plan for the Economy Bank of the United States to encourage economic growth The government deposited money from taxes in the Bank. The Bank issued paper money to pay the government’s bills and make loans to farmers and businesses. Tariff, or tax, on foreign goods to make imported goods more expensive than American-made goods Hamilton and many northerners wanted a high tariff to protect American goods from foreign competition. Southern farmers opposed a high tariff. Congress passed a tariff, but it was lower than the tariff Hamilton wanted.

Chapter 9, Section 1 Causes and Results of the Whiskey Rebellion Causes To raise money for the Treasury, Congress approved a tax on all liquor made and sold in the United States. Backcountry farmers grew corn. It was easier to get their product to market if they turned their corn into whiskey first. They hated the tax on whiskey. They rebelled, marching in protest and tarring and feathering tax collectors. Results Washington called up the militia and sent them to put down the rebellion. The rebels fled back to their farms. The national government had shown that it would act firmly in times of crisis. It also showed that violence would not be tolerated.

Chapter 9, Section 1 Section 1 Assessment To help President Washington carry out his duties, the first Congress a) passed the Judiciary Act. b) created the Bank of the United States. c) created five departments whose heads made up the Cabinet of advisors. d) agreed to place the nation’s capital near his home along the Potomac. Hamilton thought the national government should pay off both national and state war debts because a) it showed the government would act firmly in a time of crisis. b) if it didn’t, it would lose the trust of future investors. c) it was not fair for speculators to make a profit on the war. d) it would protect local industry from foreign competition. Want to connect to the American Nation link for this section? Click here.Click here.

Chapter 9, Section 1 Section 1 Assessment To help President Washington carry out his duties, the first Congress a) passed the Judiciary Act. b) created the Bank of the United States. c) created five departments whose heads made up the Cabinet of advisors. d) agreed to place the nation’s capital near his home along the Potomac. Hamilton thought the national government should pay off both national and state war debts because a) it showed the government would act firmly in a time of crisis. b) if it didn’t, it would lose the trust of future investors. c) it was not fair for speculators to make a profit on the war. d) it would protect local industry from foreign competition. Want to connect to the American Nation link for this section? Click here.Click here.

Chapter 9, Section 2 Creating a Foreign Policy How was American opinion divided over the French Revolution? Why did Washington want the nation to remain neutral in foreign affairs? Why was it difficult for the United States to remain neutral?

Chapter 9, Section 2 The French Revolution In 1789, the French rebelled against their king. The peasants and the middle class paid heavy taxes, while nobles paid none. Reformers wanted a constitution to limit the king’s power and protect basic rights. (Sound familiar ?? – Just a few years earlier, in the American Revolution, American colonists rebelled against the British king because they were being forced to pay taxes but were not given representation in Parliament.) During the French Revolution, the violence in France became so severe that it actually caused political divisions among Americans. (Some strongly supported their French allies, while others criticized the French for the level of violence they were implementing.)

American Opinions of the French Revolution American Views FAVORING the French Revolution Americans knew what it meant to struggle for liberty and remembered that France had been their first ally during the American Revolution. (ally : a nation that works with another nation for a common purpose) Americans still deeply admired the Marquis de Lafayette (a leading French reformer), who had fought with them in the American Revolution. Thomas Jefferson believed that the French had the right to use violence to win freedom. American Views AGAINST the French Revolution Once the French Revolution turned very violent, many Americans withdrew their support. Radical reformers became very powerful and beheaded the king and queen. During this “Reign of Terror”, tens of thousands of French citizens were also executed. Because of the extreme violence, Hamilton and Adams argued that democracy could not be created through widespread violence anymore than “a snoball can exist in the streets of Philadelphia under a burning sun.” Chapter 9, Section 2

Washington Wanted to Keep the Nation Neutral Following the French Revolution, war broke out between France and England. Because of the countries involved in this war, President Washington knew he had to come up with a foreign policy (an action that a nation takes in relation to other nations). Washington knew the United States had signed a treaty with France (the Treaty of Paris) that made the two countries allies. When France requested the use of America’s ports during the war, President Washington worried that America would not be able to honor the treaty and still remain neutral (not take sides in a conflict). After much debate and division within his Cabinet, President Washington issued the Neutrality Proclamation (which stated that the United States would not support either side in the war). It also forbade American citizens from aiding either Britain or France. The Neutrality Proclamation was a defeat for Jefferson (because he wanted to offer America’s support to the French). This, as well as future “defeats” eventually caused Jefferson to leave the President’s Cabinet.

Chapter 9, Section 2 Difficulties Over Neutrality America had declared neutrality in the war between France and Britain, and wanted to continue trading with both countries. Unfortunately, the warring European nations began seizing any American ships’ cargo that was headed for their enemy’s port. Due to the large number of American ships captured by the British, Americans called for a war. But, knowing the nation was too weak for a war, President Washington sent Chief Justice Jay to negotiate with the British. As a result, John Jay negotiated a treaty with Britain, known as Jay’s Treaty: Britain had to pay damages for seized American ships. Britain agreed to give up its forts in the West. Americans had to pay debts owed to British merchants. Many Americans protested Jay’s Treaty because it did nothing to protect the rights of neutral American ships. When Washington retired, in his Farewell Address he advised Americans to stay out of European affairs. His advice guided American foreign policy for many years.

Chapter 9, Section 2 Section 2 Assessment Many Americans turned against the French Revolution when a) John Jay got the British to sign a treaty. b) Thomas Jefferson condemned the revolution. c) the French started seizing American ships. d) the revolution became increasingly violent. President Washington’s foreign policy proclamation said that a) in the European conflict, the United States would support France. b) in the European conflict, the United States would remain neutral. c) in the European conflict, the United States would support Britain. d) individual Americans could make up their own minds and aid either side. Want to connect to the American Nation link for this section? Click here.Click here.

Chapter 9, Section 2 Section 2 Assessment Many Americans turned against the French Revolution when a) John Jay got the British to sign a treaty. b) Thomas Jefferson condemned the revolution. c) the French started seizing American ships. d) the revolution became increasingly violent. President Washington’s foreign policy proclamation said that a) in the European conflict, the United States would support France. b) in the European conflict, the United States would remain neutral. c) in the European conflict, the United States would support Britain. d) individual Americans could make up their own minds and aid either side. Want to connect to the American Nation link for this section? Click here.Click here.