Washington’s Presidency 1789-1797

1. Washington’s Presidency 1789-1797 An Unprecedented Presidency

2. GEORGE WASHINGTON “A recent poll of 900 American historians shows Washington has dropped to 3rd place in presidential greatness behind Lincoln and FDR. Which only goes to show how little American historians know about American history”. – Historian Gordon Wood

3. GEORGE WASHINGTON “…my movements to the chair of Government will be accompanied by 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…”- G. Washington, 1789

4. I. Building a Workable Government A. First Congress • Almost all US Government members were Federalists • 44 of 52 elected members of the House supported the ratification of the Constitution • Revenue Act (1789): tariff on some imports • Bill of Rights (1791) - adopted in 1791, safeguards some of most precious American principles B. Executive and Judiciary • Organize exec. branch with War, State, Treasury Depts. • Judiciary Act (1789) – Est. Federal judiciary

5. I. Building a Workable Government C. National and State Debts • Hamilton push assumption of both in his Report on Public Credit • create sound credit • tie wealthy to new US Government D. Hamilton's Financial Plan • Assumption of state debts • national bank • tariffs • excise taxes • Compromise: • Hamilton’s plan accepted (1790) • US capital located on Potomac

6. I. Building a Workable Government E. First Bank of the United States • Hamilton push charter of private/public bank to solve exchange shortage • Use bank notes as nation’s currency • Madison and Jefferson: no authorization in Constitution • strict constructionists • Hamilton counters with loose/broad construction • If Constitution doesn’t prohibit it, then Gov’t can do it • Washington agreed

7. I. Building a Workable Government • F. Tariffs • cut dependence on European imports • foster domestic manufacturing • Opponents argue • small farmers = mainstay of republic • US future agrarian, not industrial

8. I. Building a Workable Government G. Whiskey Rebellion • To fund state debt assumption, Hamilton gets Congress (1791) to tax whiskey production • Affect farmers on frontier • Western PA • - Protests; some violent (1794) • - Washington sent in militia to crush rebellion • Feared another Shays’ Rebellion

9. I. Building a Workable Government • H. Battle of Fallen Timbers • Final battle of the Northwest Indian War • Western Indian Confederacy got minor support from the British, • For control of the Northwest • Decisive victory for the United States • Treaty of Greenville (1795) • Indians ceded most of Ohio territory

10. II. Building a Nation among Nations French Revolution • Foreign policy divisions magnify tension • Americans initially praise 1789 Revolution • As executions mount, some (Federalists) fear disorder • Republicans more sympathetic; Federalists disapprove. • Dilemma with France and England war (1793) • allied with France • depend on trade with England • Washington issues Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)

11. II. Building a Nation among Nations Jay Treaty (1795) • British agreed to vacate the western forts • British compensated American ship owners • United States gave most favored nation trading status to Britain, and acquiesced in British anti-French maritime policies • guaranteed the payment of private prewar debts owed by Americans to British merchants Jay Treaty Debate • USA wanted England to • Cease impressment of sailors • respect neutral rights • evacuate frontier posts • compensate for slaves freed • sign commercial treaty

12. II. Building a Nation among Nations • - Democratic-Republicans were outraged by Jay’s Treaty • - Washington redeems himself with Pinckney’s Treaty • Spain allows navigation rights on Mississippi River and trade through New Orleans

13. III. Washington’s Farewell, 1796 • A. Farewell Address • - Warns against entangling alliances • But maintain trade relations • - Warns against factions, political parties • B. Precedents • - Cabinet • - Inaugural and Farewell Addresses • - “Mr. President” • - Neutral Foreign Policy • - 2 terms