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“Here Goes Nothing….”. How can we successfully lead a new republic?. Unit 6, Journal # 2. “We are in a wilderness without a single footstep to guide us” – James Madison What does this quote mean to the new nation? What does it mean to George Washington and his new government?.
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“Here Goes Nothing….” How can we successfully lead a new republic?
Unit 6, Journal #2 “We are in a wilderness without a single footstep to guide us” – James Madison • What does this quote mean to the new nation? • What does it mean to George Washington and his new government?
First Electoral College • Unanimously voted president in first presidential ballot of electoral college • Washington received the news on April 16, 1789
Upon hearing the news, Washington wrote… “About ten o’clock I bade adieu to mount Vernon, to private life, and to domestic felicity (happiness); and with a mind oppressed with more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express, set out for New York… with the best dispositions (intentions) to render service to my country in obedience to its call, but with less hope of answering its expectations.” ***How does Washington feel about becoming President? ***
George Washington’s Dream • GW had no desire to be president—his original dream was to settle down at Mt. Vernon
Precedents for the Presidency • “So Help Me God” • “Mr. President” • Hire trusted men to Cabinet • Neutrality in foreign affairs • Two-term Presidency – how it all began • Use of military force to settle rebellions
Judiciary Act of 1789 • One of the first tasks Washington and Congress take on: the creation of a judicial system • The Constitution authorized the set-up of a federal court system, but failed to list the details…..Unanswered questions!!! What did they do? • Created Federal Court System • Organized the Supreme Court: • Chief Justice, 5 Associate Judges • State court decisions can be appealed to a federal court when Constitutional issues are raised • Set idea that Federal Laws were “the Supreme Law of the Land”
Washington Shapes the Executive Branch • While shaping the Judiciary Branch, Washington also focuses on creating a sound Executive Branch. • Help make policies, carry out laws, etc. • Originally, the Executive Branch= President and Vice President • To help them govern, Congress created three departments: • Department of State- foreign affairs • Department of War- military matters • Department of the Treasury- handle finances
Washington Shapes the Executive Branch:Washington’s Cabinet ALEXANDER HAMILTON: Secretary of the Treasury HENRY KNOX:Secretary of War THOMAS JEFFERSON: Secretary of State
Hamilton vs. Jefferson • Hamilton and Jefferson were chosen not only because they were brilliant, but also because they had very different political ideas. • Hamilton Believed in strong central government led by a prosperous, educated upper-class • Supported more by the North • Jefferson Distrusted too strong a central government and the wealthy • Supported more by the South and the West
How Does This Play Out? • ECONOMICS: • As Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton’s job is to set the nation’s finances in order. • Wants to set up a National Bank
Problems Facing the New Government • Repay war debt • Gold and silver shortage • No place for government to store revenue • No place for government to get cheap loans • Need to establish an industrial economy
Economic Problems • Repay war debt- • Many millions of dollars as calculated by Hamilton • National Gov’t is responsible for 2/3, States= 1/3 • Owed to: Foreign governments, private citizens, SOLDIERS! • Hamilton’s Solution- • Pay off state debts = raise taxes • Pay off war bonds @ face value • Payoff foreign debt = sell western land
Economic Problems • Gold and Silver Shortage • Hamilton’s Solution- • Establish a national bank – use paper money
Economic Problems • No Place for government to store revenue • No place for government to get cheap loans • Hamilton’s Solution- • Establish a National Bank!
Economic Problems • Need to establish an industrial economy • Hamilton’s Solution- • Tariff on foreign goods • Government subsidies for businesses • Benefits the wealthy industrialists, not the poor farmers!
The Opposition: Loose vs. Strict Interpretation • James Madison- • A national bank would forge an unhealthy alliance between the government and wealthy investors/businesses • The Constitution made no provision for this…You can’t authorize it! • Thomas Jefferson- • Believed that manufacturing threatened the values of an agrarian way of life. • Hamilton's vision of America's future challenged ideal of a nation of farmers, tilling the fields, communing with nature, and maintaining personal freedom through land ownership.
The Bank of the United States • Hamilton convinced Washington and a majority in Congress to accept his plan, and the federal government established the Bank of the United States.