1. Wednesday, November 14 Objectives Lesson
Be able to discuss what a precedent is and what precedents George Washington set
To explain the importance of Alexander Hamilton and his importance is building our economy
Be able to recount the story of the Whiskey Rebellion and tell its significance.
Vocabulary (Bell Work)
Quiz Wall
George Washington Video Clip.
Chapter 9 Section 1 Notes
National Debt Article
Whiskey Rebellion Video Clip

2. Washington Takes Office

3. Washington’s Precedent
George Washington was the first president of the United States. Washington did not really want to be president, but he knew that it was his duty.
George Washington set many precedents while he was president. Many people wanted to call him, “his highness the President of the United States and protector of the rights of the same.” That’s a pretty long name, and George hated it. He did not want to be thought of as being above anyone else. Instead, Washington chose to be called Mr. President. That wasn’t the only Precedent he set, though. Washington also did not seek a third term, even though there was no law against it at that time. Washington also set a precedent by choosing well-known leaders to serve in his Cabinet. George Washington was a fantastic leader!!!

4. America’s in Debt Already?
Right after the American Revolution (our war with England over Independence), the newly formed United States was in some serious debt (around 80 million dollars). A man named Alexander Hamilton figured out a plan for getting out of this debt. The government would buy up the bonds that it had issued during the American revolution, and pay off all the debt. Then, it would reissue new bonds to replace the old bonds. In this way, the United States would buy itself some more time to pay off its debt.

6. Alexander Hamilton: Popular and Unpopular
Some people liked Hamilton’s plan, and some hated it. Many of those who hated it were southerners. Hamilton made a compromise in order to get his plan into action. If the south would agree to his plan, Hamilton would support the Capital of the US to be in the South. The south agreed to this compromise. The capital would be between Virginia and Maryland in a place called the District of Columbia. The new capital was named Washington DC. While the new Capital city was being built, the nation’s capital was temporarily moved to Philadelphia.

7. Outrage over Protective Tariffs
This looked bigger in the magazine!!
Hamilton now had to come up with a way to build the economy. His plan was simple. The government would set up a national bank, and put all tax money there. Then, it would lend that money to the people in order for them to build businesses. Hamilton also wanted to put a high tax called a protective tariff on imported goods. This would encourage Americans to buy American-Made goods. The north loved this idea, and the south hated it. The south had to buy certain farming supplies from overseas, and they did not want to pay the tax. In the end, a tax was put on imported goods, but it was not as high as Hamilton would have liked.

8. Whiskey Rebellion
Hamilton also wanted to put a tax on alcohol to raise money for the treasury. Whiskey producers in the south saw this tax as unfair and refused to pay it. They even became violent, attacking the tax collectors in the streets. This became known as the Whiskey Rebellion. When Washington heard about this, he immediately sent the US army. Many in Washington’s cabinet wanted him to execute the leaders of the rebellion, but Washington pardoned them instead. He believed that the government had shown its strength to all. Now, it was time to show mercy. The Whiskey Rebellion tested the will of the new government. Washington’s quick response proved to Americans that their new government would act firmly in times of crisis. The president also showed those who disagreed with the government that violence would not be tolerated.