WK2 Day 2 Notes - "George Washington as President"

When did the first political parties begin to form?

During George Washington’s 1st term

Which political party did George Washington lean into more?

Federalists

Did image matter a lot to George Washington?

Yes

What was the original issue between the two political parties?

Debt.

How did each political party feel about the nation willingly going into debt with Hamilton’s Debt Plan?

Federalist’s supported it, but Democratic-Republicans distrusted it.

Why was the issue of Foreign Policy important?

It was the 1st emotional political divide.

Why would Americans want to support Britain?

Genetics, family

Why would Americans want to support the French?

They helped them during the American Revolution

What title did George Washington decide to call himself as leader?

Mr. President

How many tours did GW do on horseback? Did he interact with people? How was he viewed personality-wise?

He did 3 tours on horseback. He did interact with common people. He was seen as fancy, respected, and somewhat down-to-earth.

Where did our nation’s #1 problem, Debt, come from?

The American Revolution

What was the national debt in 1789?

$79 million

How much did the federal government owe to foreign countries?

$12 million

How much did the federal government owe to bondholders/merchants/soldiers?

$42 million

How much did the 13 state governments owe to bondholders/soldiers?

$25 million

What was the first part of Alexander Hamilton’s Debt Plan? Why did he do this?

To quickly pay off foreign countries in full to keep good alliances with foreign nations.

How did GW plan to obtain money to pay off foreign nations?

He implemented an Excise Tax (sin tax).

What was the second part of Alexander Hamilton’s Debt Plan? Why?

To wipe out all state debt to establish strong national credit.

What was the third part of Alexander Hamilton’s Debt Plan?

All of the soldiers were paid back in full.

How much money was owed to bondholders before Hamilton’s fourth part of the Debt Plan?

$60 million

What was the fourth part of Alexander Hamilton’s Debt Plan? Hint: This is the start of today’s national debt.

Bondholders would get a yearly interest payment (4% of original amount), but they would never receive the original amount back

What happened on April 30th, 1789?

George Washington’s inauguration

What happened in May of 1789? How did George Washington respond to it?

The French Revolution. GW was silent.

What started in 1792?

George Washington’s 2nd term

How did the French Revolution become an international issue?

The French Revolution turned violent and the French attacked the British

What did George Washington decide to do about the French Revolution in 1793?

Proclamation of Neutrality

Did George Washington ask for Congress’s approval before proclaiming the Proclamation of Neutrality? How did the two political parties react to his decision?

No. Federalists liked it, but Democratic-Republicans insulted him & called him “King George”.

What did both political parties do to each other in 1794?

They called each other names.