History Quiz - George Wahsington

What year did the French Revolution break out in?

1789

What is a political party?

Also known as a faction - Groups of people with similar political views

What 2 different groups emerged during the ratification fight?

Federalists, and Anti-Federalists

How was Washington viewed within the political parties?

• Washington chose members of both parties to serve with him

• He was a strong figure that   unified  both parties 

• Neither side wanted to be or could go against Washington

Federalists?

• favored the Constitution, and a   strong central government

• Alexander Hamilton (leader)

What were Anti-federalists also known as?

Democratic-Republicans

Anti-Federalists?

• originally opposed the Constitution, favored   strong state  governments

• Thomas Jefferson (leader)

Who was the first president of the United States?

George Washington

When did George Washington take office?

1789 - 1796 → served 2 terms

True or False - George Washington was the only president to be elected unanimously.

TRUE - runner up John Adams became VP

Why did George Washington wear his uniform when visiting the states?

To remind everyone that he led the country to victory & independence

How many “Executive Departments” were created by Congress?

three -

• Washington got to choose the heads of those departments.

• Washington began meeting regularly with the heads of the departments for advice and assistance

• this was the first Presidential Cabinet

Who was the Secretary of State?

Thomas Jefferson

Who was the Secretary of War?

Henry Knox

Who was the Secretary of Treasury?

Alexander Hamilton - started the American system of Money

Judiciary Act of ____

1789 -

• Established District and Appellate Courts 

• Set the number of Supreme Court Justices at 6

• Created executive department of Justice and Attorney General

• Edmund Randolph joined cabinet 

Who was the first Attorney General?

Edmund Randolph

Who is in the photo of Washington’s Cabinet? (Hint: 5 men)

George Washington, Henry Knox, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Edmund Randolph * 

Who was Alexander Hamilton?

• Only immigrant founding father

• British West Indies

• Joined Continental Army - Aide to Washington

• Financial genius - who completely shaped the US financial system

Alexander Hamilton and US Financial Policy - 1. Pay off   foreign war debt  immediately and in full

• $11.7 Million (owed mostly to France)

• Only way to create confidence in new nation 

Alexander Hamilton and US Financial Policy - 2. Buy back   depreciated  Revolutionary war bonds at face value 

• US owed $40 million to citizens in war bonds

• The only way to   establish  trust in a new nation 

• The government must do what it said it would 

• Jefferson opposed plan 

• Rewarded   speculators   the expense of the poor

Alexander Hamilton and US Financial Policy - 3. Assume State’s war debt  

• $25 million dollar debt 

• Would establish a federal line of credit

• Tie all states to Federal Government 

• Establish   support  for   New  Federal Government 

• Help national economy by freeing up states’ money 

Alexander Hamilton and US Financial Policy - 4.  Create Bank of the United States  

• Bank for Government money and loans 

• 20 year charter 

• Believed that the “ necessary and proper ” clause gave Congress power to charter Bank

• Helped US   consolidate  its debt and pay its creditors 

• Offered stability to the US economy 

When was the new Constitution of the United States ratified?

1787

What are the three branches of the federal government created by the Constitution?

Congress, the courts, and the presidency

What was George Washington responsible for as a president?

enforcing the government that the Constitution created

What did Washington and the First Federal Congress create by handling issues during his presidency?

A precedent for future presidents.

What issue did the United States face when coming out of the American Revolution?

large national debt

What was the total state debt?

$25 million

The major political questions and conflicts during the 1790s concerned___________

… foreign policy, economic policy, and the balance of power between states and the federal government.

What were the first two political parties in the United States during the United States during George Washington’s presidency?

Democratic-Republicans and Federalists

What precedent did Washington’s decision to stay neutral during the French Revolution set for the United States?

Isolationism as its main foreign policy strategy for over 100 years

True or False- the constitution said nothing about having a national bank.

True

Why did Thomas Jefferson and his followers disagree with Hamilton’s two part solution to paying of the national debt?

He believed that creating a national bank would be an abuse of power by the federal government

Hamilton and his followers believed that under the ____________ clause of Article I, the Constitution gave Congress the right to create the bank to fix the debt problem.

“necessary and proper”

What is the "necessary and proper" clause?

The “necessary and proper” clause is a part of the Constitution that allows Congress to make any laws needed to help carry out its duties. Jefferson and his followers thought Hamilton was misusing this clause to help create a national bank.

Although no fights broke out, what did the Whiskey Rebellion prove?

It affirmed the fact that the federal government could handle political unrest and was much stronger than it had been under the Articles of Confederation.

Washington's successor, ______, became the first Federalist president.

John Adams

on his way out of the presidency, Washington delivered a_______

Farewell Address in which he advised the country to avoid political factions, based on party or geography, and avoid long-term alliances with other countries.

How did Benjamin Rush view the end of the Revolutionary War?

Benjamin viewed the end of the Revolutionary War as not the end but as the beginning. He believed that the real challenge was in establishing and perfecting the new forms of government.

Who was Benjamin Rush and why was he an important American in Washington’s time? 

Benjamin Rush was a Philadelphia patriot who understood the risks facing the new nation. He was important because he recognized that the American Revolution wasn't over with just the military defeat of the British.

True or False - Alexander Hamilton was one of the few American figures featured on U.S. Currency who was never president.

True

How was Alexander Hamilton killed?

In 1804 - a duel with Aaron Burr

Who is on the 10 dollar bill?

Alexander Hamilton

Who is on the 1 dollar bill?

George Washington

Who conceived of the First Bank of the United States?

Alexander Hamilton

What was the The ELECTION OF 1796?

It was the first election in American history where political CANDIDATES at the local, state, and national level began to run for OFFICE as members of organized political parties that held strongly opposed political principles.

How did each party view the other (be sure to cover what the Federalists thought of the Democratic-Republicans, and what the Democratic-Republicans thought of the  Federalists)?

the Federalists viewed the Democratic-Republicans as dangerous radicals who would bring the anarchy of the French Revolution to America. On the other hand, the Democratic-Republicans considered the Federalists to be aristocrats attempting to establish a monarchial government. 

What job did George Washington resign from at the end of the war?

Commander in Chief of the armed forces

Did George Washington want to go to the Constitutional Convention? Did he play a vocal role at the convention?

No he did not

Whose statue is in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia

George Washington

James Madison,the only one who took and kept  his notes only had them published after what?

Everyone who was there was dead to keep the pledge of secrecy

What almost happened at Newburgh New York at the end of the war that Washington prevented?

A military coup against the new American government

How does the average citizen feel about the Jay Treaty?

the average citizen was not in favor for the Jay Treaty. Even though it was put into effect, it was unpopular amongst the people.

The Framers were much more concerned about tyranny in __________ than they were concerned about tyranny in the ______________

Congress, Executive

True or False: One precedence set by Washington is the ability of the government to negotiate treaties.

True

Who negotiated the purchase of Louisiana?

Thomas Jefferson

How many Senators present have to concur out of 100 in order for the President to make treaties. 

67