George Washington Foreign & Domestic Disputes during the first Administration

Initial Issues for the General Sets up the Executive Branch into departmentsSets up the Executive Branch into departments –Forms the first cabinet Congress sets up the Federal Court SystemCongress sets up the Federal Court System Financial Program for the countryFinancial Program for the country –Debt –Tariffs and excise taxes –National Bank Controversy over “necessary and proper” clause that Federalists use to justify creation of the bank

Foreign Affairs The French Revolution U.S. alliance with France still in place, but had been with the French monarchyU.S. alliance with France still in place, but had been with the French monarchy Most Americans supported the idea of a French republic, but many dismayed by the mob violence of the Reign of TerrorMost Americans supported the idea of a French republic, but many dismayed by the mob violence of the Reign of Terror Thomas Jefferson argues for U.S. support of the revolutionariesThomas Jefferson argues for U.S. support of the revolutionaries –Especially since Britain had been seizing American ships bound for France What’s a president to do?What’s a president to do?

Neutrality Proclamation of Neutrality (1793) Washington doesn’t believe the country is strong enough to get involved in European conflictsWashington doesn’t believe the country is strong enough to get involved in European conflicts Thomas Jefferson resigns as Secretary of StateThomas Jefferson resigns as Secretary of State French Ambassador “Citizen” Edmund Genet appeals directly to American peopleFrench Ambassador “Citizen” Edmund Genet appeals directly to American people –Washington outraged, requests French gov’t remove him, even Jefferson agrees Genet stays and eventually becomes U.S. citizenGenet stays and eventually becomes U.S. citizen

Treaties The Jay Treaty Chief Justice John Jay goes to Britain to try and stop seizing of U.S. ships, impressing sailorsChief Justice John Jay goes to Britain to try and stop seizing of U.S. ships, impressing sailors Jay gone for a year, comes back with treatyJay gone for a year, comes back with treaty –British agree to evacuate western frontier ports –No agreement on seizure of ships Extremely unpopular, angers France supporters, only narrowly approved by SenateExtremely unpopular, angers France supporters, only narrowly approved by Senate But, NEUTRALITY preservedBut, NEUTRALITY preserved

The Pinckney Treaty Spain sees Jay Treaty as sign that U.S. might be getting closer to its foe, BritainSpain sees Jay Treaty as sign that U.S. might be getting closer to its foe, Britain Ambassador Pinckney negotiates treaty opening lower Mississippi and New Orleans to U.S. tradeAmbassador Pinckney negotiates treaty opening lower Mississippi and New Orleans to U.S. trade –U.S. no longer has to pay duties to Spain for transferring cargo in N.O. Boundary of Florida set at the 31 st parallelBoundary of Florida set at the 31 st parallel

Pinckney Treaty

Domestic Concerns Native Americans American settlers moving farther west, encroaching on Indian landsAmerican settlers moving farther west, encroaching on Indian lands British had been supplying some of the tribes with arms to attack new settlersBritish had been supplying some of the tribes with arms to attack new settlers Battle of Fallen Timbers1794--Battle of Fallen Timbers –U.S. Army led by General Anthony Wayne defeats Shawnee, Wyandot, Delaware and others in Ohio Treaty of Greenville –Tribal chiefs surrender claims to Ohio

Treaty of Greenville

The Whiskey Rebellion Farmers in western Pennsylvania refuse to pay the federal excise tax on whiskeyFarmers in western Pennsylvania refuse to pay the federal excise tax on whiskey –couldn’t afford to pay the tax on whiskey they made from their excess corn Defended their “liberties”, defied the federal government by attacking revenue collectorsDefended their “liberties”, defied the federal government by attacking revenue collectors HUGE test for Washington Was the new federal government strong enough to deal with a rebellion against its own laws?

The Whiskey Rebellion Washington responds to the crisis by federalizing 15,000 state militiaWashington responds to the crisis by federalizing 15,000 state militia –Placed under the command of Alexander Hamilton, with GW at his side Show of force is successful: Rebellion collapses without any bloodshed on either sideShow of force is successful: Rebellion collapses without any bloodshed on either side Many Americans applaud Washington, say its better than the helpless gov’t during Shays’ Rebellion Westerners resent Washington, say action was unwarranted force against common people Thomas Jefferson emerges as the champion of the western farmer

Western Lands The 13 states surrendered their western land claims to the federal governmentThe 13 states surrendered their western land claims to the federal government Congress encourages the rapid settlement of land by passing the Public Land Act in 1796Congress encourages the rapid settlement of land by passing the Public Land Act in 1796 –Orderly sale at reasonable prices During Washington administration, three new states added:During Washington administration, three new states added: –Vermont (1791) –Kentucky(1792) –Tennessee (1796)

Washington’s Farewell In his farewell address, Washington warns Americans NOT to: get involved in Europeget involved in Europe make “permanent alliances”make “permanent alliances” form political partiesform political parties put their section before the good of the countryput their section before the good of the country But, parties had already been forming, and sectional interests continue to be a key feature of American politics Wasington sets precedent of only serving two terms, even though there is no constitutional limit