1. The Early Republic ( )
“’tis the event which I have long dreaded”
-George Washington on his Presidential election

2. Washington as President
Understood the importance of precedent
Called “Mr. President” instead of “His Excellency”
First Cabinet
Demanded promptness to meetings, formality
Signed Judiciary Act of 1789
Washington at time of his Presidency

3. The Bill of Rights Drafted by James Madison
Relied heavily on Virginia Declaration of Rights (George Mason)
10 amendments specifying rights of the people
Went into effect 1791

4. Alexander Hamilton Co-author- The Federalist Papers
Industrial vision of America’s future
Admired Britain’s strong central government and industrial strength
Ambitious, hardworking
Appointed first Secretary of the Treasury by GW
Ordered to solve nation’s financial problems
Alexander Hamilton

5. Hamilton’s Financial Plan
3 Parts:
Report on Public Credit- Federal government assumes all state debts
Report on Banking- Asked Congress to create a Bank of the U.S. to issue currency, manage debt, etc.
Report on Manufactures- pass a protective tariff to stimulate domestic manufacturing

6. Opposition to Plan Southerners felt plan favored Northern states
Debate over meaning of Constitution
“strict” vs “loose” interpretation
Was bank “necessary and proper” for the nation?
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison

7. Bank of the United States
Most controversial part of Hamilton’s plan
Led to formation of America’s modern political parties
Federalists (pro-Bank), Democratic-Republicans (anti-Bank)
1791- Washington sides with Hamilton, Bank is created (BUS)
First Bank of the US- Philadelphia

8. Washington clearly demonstrates “commander-in-chief”
The Whiskey Rebellion
1791- at Hamilton’s urging, Congress imposes direct tax on whiskey- he gambles that if people balk at paying, the Federal government can put down rebellion
Summer rebellion in western Penn.
GW leads 15,000 troops to put down rebels
Significance- firmly established authority of new government
Washington clearly demonstrates “commander-in-chief”

9. Early Political Parties
Hamilton and Federalists
Strong central gov’t
Rule by wealthy, educated
Industrial vision
loose interpretation
Pro-England
Protective tariffs, BUS
Jefferson and the Republicans
Strong state govts
Rule by the common man
Agrarian vision
strict interpretation
Pro-France
Anti- tariffs, BUS

10. Early Political Parties (con’t)
Federalists
Supported by artisans, merchants, manufacturers, bankers
North, urban cities
Basis for modern Republican party
(in a very roundabout way)
Democratic-Republicans
Supported by farmers
South, western frontier
Basis for modern Democratic Party

11. Foreign Policy Under Washington
Revolution in France divides America
1793- Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation (England vs France)
Impressments of American ships
Jay’s Treaty (1794)
Pinckney’s Treaty (1795)
Chaos in France

12. Western Expansion
1780s-90s: area between Appalachians and Miss. River settled rapidly
Led to conflicts with Natives (Battle of Fallen Timbers) in Northwest Territory
Treaty of Greenville (1795)
Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794): American troops vs native confederation

13. Washington Leaves Office
Washington asked to run for 3rd term, refuses (precedent)
Writes Farewell Address before leaving
Warns against sectionalism, political parties, entangling foreign alliances
Washington retires to Mount Vernon after serving as President

14. John Adams the Man Long record of patriotism, extensive background
Bright and capable, but difficult to deal with
Tough act to follow
Barely defeated Jefferson in 1796 election
John Adams

15. Adams as President Term was characterized by failure
Quasi-War with France (XYZ Affair)
Alien and Sedition Acts
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
“Midnight Judges”
Positive: kept US out of war with France

16. Think About It…
Why was the issue of precedent important to Washington during his term as President?
Why was Hamilton’s Financial Plan important to the early success of the nation?
Why did Washington warn against political parties in his Farewell Address?
Make predictions: future problems, issues facing the nation?