1. New Republic and Washington’s Presidency, 1789-1797

2. Setting up the New Republic
Setting up the National Government, Court Systems, Economy, and National Security

3. Washington takes the oath of office
April 30, 1789
Federal Hall Washington

4. Washington’s Presidency
Received all electoral votes
Electors wrote down 2 names
Top winner became President, runner-up became Vice President
Inaugurated on April 30, 1789
Inaugurated: sworn in
Adams (Federalist) becomes VP
Remained neutral in political parties
His every action was seen as a precedent since he was the first president
Precedent: an example
No contest

5. Setting Up the Courts & Cabinet
Constitution created the Supreme Court BUT left lots of decisions up to Congress
Federal Judiciary Act (1789)
6 member Supreme Court
Created lower federal courts- could settle cases dealing with national laws, states, or national gov’t
Congress also created departments to help the President run the U.S.
Heads of these became Washington’s cabinet
Washington was able to select the men who led each department

6. Forming the First Cabinet
Sec. of Treasury
Hamilton
Managed the country’s money
Sec. of War
Knox
Oversaw the country’s defenses
Sec. of State
Jefferson
Oversaw relations between the U.S. and other countries

7. Economic Problems War debt
Owed money to foreign countries, merchants, AND private citizens
More than 52 million dollars
About $1,291,836,000 today! (1.3 billion)
Government leaders saw it as a requirement for the U.S. to pay this money back
Wanted to maintain business relationship with those foreign countries
Also wanted to be able to borrow money in the future

8. Hamilton’s Economic Plan
Showed his belief in a strong central government
1. National govt should pay public debt and state debt
2. Revenue (govt income) should be raised
Favored tariffs: taxes on imported goods
3. Create a National Bank
Safe place to keep govt money
Would make loans
Issue paper money
Washington supported his plan
This plan would strengthen the national government
Worried Anti-Feds who favored free enterprise
free enterprise : business conducted without government control

9. Opposition to Hamilton’s Program
Virginia (VA) and many other Southern states protests assuming state debts
They had already paid their debts
Did not like helping the North
Future capital is moved to D.C. as
compromise
National Bank
Created a debate over interpretation of Constitution
Loose (broad or flexible) vs. Strict (narrow or limited)
Washington passed over protests of Jefferson and Madison
Bank established in 1791

10. Beginnings of Political Parties
Early disagreements over the creation of the new republic led to the creation of allies and enemies
Republic: country governed by elected reps
Writers of the Constitution had to make it flexible for the many different situations that would emerge
This also led to disagreements over its meaning
Two camps emerge
Federalist
Anti-Federalist (Republican)

11. Whiskey Rebellion Conflict arose over the new taxes
Farmers refused to pay
Whiskey Rebellion (1794)
Farmers in Pennsylvania beat up a tax collector
Others threatened to attack Pittsburg (the capitol)
Washington sent troops to control the rebels
Proved that the govt could AND would enforce the law
Whiskey Rebellion Flag

12. Foreign Policy: French Revolution
To Help France…
Or Not...
They aided us during the Revolution
Treaty still bound U.S. and France together as allies
Jefferson favored helping
Britain was our biggest trading partner
Britain was against France
Too risky to fight them again
Hamilton favored not helping
Washington decided that we would be neutral
Congress passed a law forbidding aid to either side

13. Washington’s Farewell
Although some opposed his policy of neutrality, he served as a symbol of national unity for 8 years
His farewell address provided advice and warnings for the country:
Benefits of federal government
Warns against political parties
Importance of morality
Stable credit
Policy of neutrality
Against over-powerful militaries