1. The Federalist Era Chapter 9
The First President

2. Laying the Foundations of Government
After the Constitutional Convention and the ratifying of the constitution, the first thing they needed to do was elected a president
Americans wanted George Washington as president based upon his war time experience, honesty, character and patriotism
Washington really didn’t want the job
In April 1789, members of the electoral college chose Washington (president) and John Adams (vice-president)
The first place winner was president; second place was vice-president
Capital was New York City
(was Philadelphia under the Articles of Confederation)

3. Daily Life
Mostly rural, only New York and Philadelphia had population over 25,000
People wanted
Protection of liberties
Fair tax laws
Right to settle lands in the west
Increase trade
Everything that Washington did was setting a precedent (serves as an example)
Set up cabinet
Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of the Treasury

4. *All had experience in these areas
Thomas Jefferson – Secretary of State
Henry Knox – Secretary of War
*All had experience in these areas

5. Federal Courts 1789 Congress passed the Judiciary Act
Set up the federal court system (not specified in the Constitution)
District courts
Courts of appeals
Supreme Court
John Jay – first chief justice of the U.S.

6. Electoral College- has changed today how it is run: Video