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HW # 19: Aim : How effectively did the Washington administration solve the nation’s financial problems ? p . 180 to p. 186 (The Emergence) . Vice President John Adams (April 30, 1789-March 3, 1797) Secretary of State John Jay (September 26, 1789-March 22, 1790)
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HW #19: Aim: How effectively did the Washington administration solve the nation’s financial problems? p. 180 to p. 186 (The Emergence) Vice President John Adams (April 30, 1789-March 3, 1797) Secretary of State John Jay (September 26, 1789-March 22, 1790) Thomas Jefferson (March 22, 1790-December 31, 1793) Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton (September 11, 1789-January 31, 1795) Secretary of War Henry Knox (September 12, 1789-December 31, 1794) Postmaster General Samuel Osgood (September 26, 1789-August 19, 1791) Aim: How was the first national government organized?
Students will be able to… • To discuss Washington’s qualifications for President. • Define and give example of the “unwritten Constitution”. • Describe the four parts of Hamilton’s financial plan. • Explain at least two objections to the plan.
George Washington (1789 – 1796) • Document 1: • “My movements to the chair of government will be accompanied with feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution, so unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an ocean of difficulties.” • George Washington 1789 • 1. What does this tell us about George Washington? • 2. How did Washington become President if he didn’t want the job? • 3. What do you think he was referring to when he talked about “an ocean of difficulties”? • 4. How did he overcome them?
Washington was a military leader and a farmer – was he qualified to lead the new nation? Why? • I. Electoral College • A. Each elector voted for two candidates. • B. Washington elected unanimously; John Adams elected V.P. • C. Changed by the 12th amendment.
How did he overcome his lack of experience? • II. Cabinet – Heads of the executive depts. • A. Advisors to the President. • B. Unwritten Constitution
How did the Cabinet members (Hamilton) solve the financial problems? • Doc 2: • “…an assumption of the debts of the particular States by the Union, and a like provision for them as for those of the union, will be a measure of sound policy and substantial justice. It would contribute to an orderly, stable, and satisfactory arrangement of the national finances.” • Alexander Hamilton • What was Hamilton’s financial plan?
Hamilton’s Financial Plan • A. Funding of national and foreign debt. • B. Assumption of all state debts by the national government. • C. Revenue measures; • tariffs and excise tax on whiskey • D. National Bank
Doc. 3: Jefferson’s Opposition • “It is well known that during the war the greatest difficulty we encountered was the want of money or means to pay our soldiers…our farmers…manufacturers and merchants who furnished the necessary supplies of food and clothing…certificates of debt were given to individual creditors, with assurance of payments as soon as the US should be able. But the distress of these people often obliged them to part with these for the half, the fifth, and even a tenth of their value…In the bill for funding and paying these, Hamilton makes no difference between the original holders and the fraudulent purchasers of this paper… • Thomas Jefferson
What was Jefferson’s objection to paying off the debt? • IV. Opposition • A. National debt was owned by speculators. • B. Many states (ex. VA) had paid off their debts. • C. Southern states opposed tariffs. • How did Hamilton win the support of Virginia (Va.) for repaying the debts?
How did the American react to the new taxes? • D. Whiskey Rebellion (1794) • Hamilton urged Washington to call out the army to show the power of the new national government.
No part of the plan engendered as much controversy as the National Bank – how did Jefferson and Hamilton differ on this issue? Alexander Hamilton 1791 Thomas Jefferson 1791 Doc 5: “I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground – that all powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states are reserved to the states, or to the people…” • Doc. 4: • “It is not denied that there are implied, as well as expressed powers, and that the former are as effectually delegated as the latter…The only question must be, in this, as in every other case, whether the means to be employed…has a natural relation to any of the acknowledged objections or lawful ends of the government…”
National Bank • E. The National Bank was NOT authorized by the Constitution. • 1. Strict construction • Limited the government to the powers listed in Article I Section 8 -- Jefferson • 2. Loose construction • Used the necessary and proper clause Article I Section 8 Clause 18 -- Hamilton
Was Washington a good president? Why? Why not?