1. George Washington’s Presidency

2. George Washington – Father of the United States
Unanimously named president by the Electoral College. Sworn into New York City – the temporary capitol of the United States

3. First Cabinet
Not provided for in the Constitution Vice President – John Adams Secretary of State – Thomas Jefferson Secretary of Treasury – Alexander Hamilton Secretary of War – Henry Knox

4. Funding the National Debt
Hamilton’s goal – bolster national credit status Fund at par – government pays off national debt at face value Debt due to private individuals, foreign countries and banks that bought war bonds during the Revolution Hamilton got the government to issue new bonds at face value – important because the old Continental Bonds dropped in value

5. Assuming the State’s debts
Hamilton wanted Congress to assume – take over – the debts of all the states. He felt it was a national obligation because of the national war for of independence. States with large debts liked the plan. States with small debts or paid them off didn’t. Hamilton got the support of Jefferson by promising to support building the nation’s capitol next to Jefferson’s home state if he would support the assumption.
Assuming the State’s debts

6. Bank of the United States (BUS)
Federal government’s bank National mint was to be an extension of this

7. Revenues High protective tariff: bring in money from imports
protect US manufacturers from outside competition
Excise Tax (on domestic goods):
tax on whiskey led to Whiskey Rebellion
first militant challenge to the new Constitution
mountain men from Appalachians refused to pay the tax
Washington with the help of the military forces from the states put down the rebellion
Importance – federal government
commanded a new respect from the
states.

8. US attitude toward England –
90% of tariff revenue came from Great Britain
continued to export food
Federalists were primarily ex- Loyalists (relations very positive)
US merchant marines prospered
because of trade with England and
France.

9. Neutrality Proclamation
US attitude toward France –
at first pleased with French Revolution in 1789 but lost hope after the Reign of Terror
Democrat-Republicans stayed true to principles of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity
continued to export food without sending larges sums of money or military support
The Proclamation – US sided with no one but continued trade with both

10. The Neutrality Proclamation was issued – US sided with no one but continued trade with both

11. Jay’s Treaty Complaints against England –
they still maintained forts in Old Northwest Territory
they were supplying and inciting Indian attacks on American settlers
they impressed sailors
Chief Justice John Jay was sent to
talk to British on these three areas.

12. Result – Jay’s Treaty:
England would withdraw all troops from the Ohio River Valley
England would pay Americans for losses at sea
US would pay Loyalists for property taken during the War
Democrat-Republicans mad
because it said nothing of the
Indian and impressment problems.

13. Washington’s Second Term
He wanted to retire after his first term but the public wanted him for a second term. Washington relented because of the political turmoil. He was again unanimously elected

14. Washington’s Farewell
Physical fatigue mixed with the verbal
abuse from the Democrat-Republicans
caused Washington to be determined
to retire after his second term.
Farwell address was a written
message published in newspapers.
Help for writing this came from
Hamilton.
texts/george-washington-farewell- address/main-idea.html