George Washington American President

1. George Washington American President The French Problem The Whiskey Rebellion Washington’s Farewell Address

2. Washington and The Presidency • Unanimously elected president by electoral college • He brings dignity, strength, and a sense of purpose to the office • Knows that he will set precedents concerning the office and how government operates

3. Those Crazy French! • In 1789 the French Revolution occurs. The United States supports it until the bourgeoisie are being executed at the guillotine. • The French Revolution is responsible for a war that involves many nations from Europe who are tied up in numerous alliances.

4. The Guillotine

5. Washington on Alliances • Washington does not want the United States dragged into the war in Europe caused by the French revolution. • To avoid warfare, the Neutrality Act of 1793 barred ships of nations fighting from American ports. • American merchants will trade with both the British and the French. The economy booms!

6. The “Citizen”Genêt Affair • French diplomat Edmond Genêt visits in 1793 the United States to raise money and recruit privateers to fight the British. • He publicly challenges Congress to debate the Neutrality Act. He hopes that Congress will side with the French and declare war with the British. • Washington will send Genêt back to France.

7. George Washington vs. “Citizen” Edmond Genêt

8. Jay’s Treaty 1794 • British have seized 250 American ships and have impressed thousands of American sailors. • The treaty demands that the United States pay British debts from the war and that British ships can seize French goods on American ships. American sailors captured by a British warship.

9. Jay’s Treaty 1794 • John Jay is sent to negotiate peace with England • England agrees to the treaty because America is indebt to them and agrees to remove their forts from America • But they refuse to call the seas neutral for others

10. Pinckney’s Treaty, 1795 • Fearing and alliance between America and England the Spanish offers free navigation of the Mississippi and the right to land in New Orleans • Both sides promised no to entice Indian attacks on each other • The treaty also settled the boundary disputes over Florida

11. The Ohio Question • Desire to move West continues to plague the government • English forts still on American soil • Indians are attacking American settlers in Ohio Valley • Americans in West feel government is ignoring them

12. The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 • A Whiskey Tax was placed to collect money on whiskey. Poor farmers complain that they are already taxed because they use corn to produce the Whiskey! • They will rebel against local sheriffs who enforce tax Washington reviewing troops.

13. The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 • The farmers threaten to burn Pittsburgh • Washington leads a large federal force to confront farmers, at the sight of Washington’s army they flee • People will now respect the federal government

14. Washington’s Farewell Address • Washington warned of the “baneful effects of the spirit of party”. • That the United States should actively pursue “extending commercial relations”. • And avoid “as little political connection as possible with” foreign nations. “Peace and prosperity.”