The First President

Washington (President) Adams (Vice-President)

George Washington – elected as the first President of the United States under the U.S. Constitution. John Adams – Washington’s Vice President.

Bill of Rights – written mostly by James Madison, was added to the U.S. Constitution during the First Congress.

Washington’s Cabinet: Secretary of State – handles relationships with other nations, Thomas Jefferson was appointed first. Secretary of Treasury – deals with financial matters, Alexander Hamilton was appointed first. Secretary of War – provides national defense, Henry Knox was appointed first.

The New Court System: Judiciary Act of 1789 – set up a federal court system. Allowed state courts to remain intact, but gave federal courts the ability to reverse state decisions. John Jay – first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Financial Problems – the Revolutionary War left the United States with millions of dollars in war debt. Washington, D.C. – a city created between the state boundaries of Virginia and Maryland as a compromise for paying state debts.