Washington

1. Washington US History Standards: SSUSH5 The student will explain specific events and key ideas that brought about the adoption and implementation of the United States Constitution. e. Explain the importance of the Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams; include the Whiskey Rebellion, non-intervention in Europe, and the development of political parties (Alexander Hamilton).

2. Washington becomes president • George Washington was inaugurated as President on April 30, 1789 in New York City after a unanimous election • Washington then had to choose the officials of the government

3. Washington becomes president • Every decision Washington made was crucial because he was establishing precedent or a framework for how things would be done in the future John Adams was elected as Vice President Thomas Jefferson became Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton became Secretary of the Treasury

4. Planning a capital city • The new country lacked a permanent capital • The capital was in New York for the first year and then to Philadelphia while a capital was being built • A 10-mile stretch of land on the border between Maryland and Virginia was chosen for the capital which would not be administered by either state but governed by federal authorities • This was a compromise – the national government agreed to assume all of the states’ debt from the Revolutionary War – the South had little debt and received the capital in exchange • Pierre L’Enfant designed Washington, DC

5. Planning a capital city

6. Dealing with the national debt • As Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton was in charge of the debt • The federal government assumed state debts from the Revolutionary War • 2 ways to raise money to pay for the running of the government • a tariff (or tax) on imported goods • a tax on distilled liquors (Whiskey Tax)

7. Problems in washington’s cabinet • Hamilton and Jefferson bitterly disagreed while serving in Washington’s cabinet • These two men were symbolic of the political divisions in the new nation • Hamilton was in favor of a strong central government led by a prosperous, educated elite of upper-class citizens • Jefferson didn’t trust a strong central government or the rich – he favored strong state and local governments rooted in popular participation

8. Problems in Washington’s cabinet • This led to the formation of the first two political parties in the US: • Those who supported Jefferson’s vision became Democratic-Republicans (no relationship to today’s Republican party, they are actually the forerunner of today’s Democratic party) • Those who supported Hamilton’s vision became Federalists

9. Foreign policy issues • while working out their own country’s problems, the United States was thrust into a new conflict – the French Revolution • the British were at war with France during this time, so the U.S. had to choose – they didn’t want to offend the British and their powerful Navy or abandon France, their friends during the Revolutionary War • Americans decided that the best course of action was to stay neutral

10. Jay’s Treaty • Shortly after George Washington made the decision to remain neutral in the conflict between Britain and France, Britain forced the U.S. to choose sides • Britain began seizing neutral U.S. trading ships and supporting Indians in the Northwest territory • Washington felt that it was in America’s interest to stay out of war with Britain • In 1794, Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to Britain • Jay’s Treaty was negotiated – it said Britain would leave the Northwest Territory and it expanded trade John Jay

11. Whiskey Rebellion • In western Pennsylvania and other frontier areas, people refused to pay the Whiskey Tax • In the tradition of protests of the Stamp Act and Shay’s Rebellion, people organized and attacked courts and tax collectors • Washington and Hamilton decided to use this as an opportunity to demonstrate the power of the national government – the Whiskey Rebellion was put down, demonstrating that the young country was serious about enforcing its laws

12. Washington’s farewell as president • Washington wanted to retire in 1792, but he was talked into running again and was easily elected • In 1796, Washington retired, setting a precedent for the future • In a close race, John Adams was elected President • In his farewell speech, Washington warned against powerful political parties and called for a foreign policy of neutrality