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Launching the “Ship of State” (1788- 1796)

Launching the “Ship of State” (1788- 1796). George Washington’s First and Second Administration. “We are in the wilderness without a single footstep to guide us. ” James Madison. What do you think James Madison meant by this statement?

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Launching the “Ship of State” (1788- 1796)

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  1. Launching the “Ship of State” (1788-1796) George Washington’s First and Second Administration

  2. “We are in the wilderness without a single footstep to guide us.”James Madison What do you think James Madison meant by this statement? What is a precedent and to what degree do they impact future decision-making?

  3. Problems facing the first President: 1) An Incomplete Government The Constitution was a series of “suggestions” and left little direction on how the government should operate and many details undefined. 2) The National Debt The central government owed $54 million and individual states owed an additional $25 million. 3) Foreign Problems The British STILL occupied forts in the West and the Spanish STILL created problems in the South.

  4. Washington Helps to Shape the New Government • Undefined Judicial Branch "judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and such inferior courts as Congress deemed fit to establish” Washington requested that Congress first work to create a stronger judicial branch. Judiciary Act of 1789 is passed on Sept. 24th • Provided for a Supreme Court with six judges • Created 13 Federal District Courts (one per state) • Allowed for state court decisions to be appealed to federal courts. • Created the Office of the Attorney General

  5. Washington Helps to Shape the New Government • Presidential Advisors (The Cabinet) "he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices” In 1789, Congress also created three executive departments to advise Washington. State Department Treasury Department War Department The heads, or Secretaries, of these departments, along with the Attorney General and Vice-President complete “the cabinet.”

  6. Which two departments would be most helpful to GW in dealing with the remaining problems? The State Department is the United States federal executive department responsible for the international relations of the United States. It is the equivalent of foreign ministries of other countries. The Treasury Department is the federal executive department responsible for the financial dealings of the United States. It was established to manage government tax revenue.

  7. Jefferson versus Hamilton Using the chart provided, evaluate the differences between George Washington’s two most important advisers? Which are the most critical differences? How may this hurt Washington’s ability to lead the country?

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