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The Precedents (and Problems) of Washington ’ s Administration (1789-1796)

Explore the complexities faced by George Washington as the first U.S. President, including an unfinished Constitution, national debt, and foreign conflicts with British, Spanish, and French. Learn about the birth of two-party politics with the Federalist and Republican parties.

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The Precedents (and Problems) of Washington ’ s Administration (1789-1796)

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  1. The Precedents (and Problems) of Washington’s Administration (1789-1796)

  2. Washington Heads the New Government Washington faced many challenges when he accepted the nomination/election as the first President of the United States: Four problems included: 1) An “unfinished” Constitution 2) National Debt ($54 million dollars) 3) Foreign Conflicts (British/Spanish/French Revolution 4) No Precedents “We are in a wilderness without a single footstep to guide us”James Madison

  3. “Unfinished” Constitution : 1) Completing the Article III At Washington’s request, Congress created the Judiciary Act of 1789 • Determined the number of Justices in Supreme Court (1 chief justice and 5 associate judges) • Created inferior courts (3 circuit and 13 district courts) • Established process to review state court decisions (Appellate Jurisdiction)

  4. “Unfinished” Constitution : 2) Identifying the “Heads of Executive Departments” Also, in 1789, Congress created four Executive Departments: State Department – handles foreign policy Treasury Department – handles money and finances War Department – handles national defense Department of Justice – handles legal issues

  5. The Executive Branch President – George Washington Vice-President – John Adams Secretary of State – Thomas Jefferson Secretary of Treasury – Alexander Hamilton Secretary of War – Henry Knox Attorney General – Edmund Randolph

  6. Birth of “two-party politics” Thomas Jefferson (VA) Alexander Hamilton (NY) Concentrated power in central gov’t. Believed the educated, wealthy class in cities could govern best. Favored a balanced economy of farming, manufacturing, trade and banking. Believed in expansive government (loose interpretation of the Constitution) Followers became known as the Federalist Party • Favored stronger power in state gov’ts. • Trusted the “good sense” of the common people and farmers. • Disliked banks and merchants preferred economy based on agriculture. • Believed in a limited government (strict interpretation of the Constitution) • Followers became known as the Republican Party

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