The Washington Presidency

Part 2

Was Washington’s election decided by a wide section of the population?

No, only white men could vote, and he was unanimously chosen by the Electoral College, not a mass popular vote.

Absence of political parties in the first election

There were no formal parties, but there was division between Federalists and Anti

First Vice President

John Adams

Father of the Bill of Rights

James Madison

First Amendment

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Second Amendment

Right to bear arms.

Fourth Amendment

Protection from unlawful searches and seizures.

Fifth Amendment

Protection from self

Tenth Amendment

Powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states.

Washington’s first cabinet

Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson; Secretary of Treasury: Alexander Hamilton; Secretary of War: Henry Knox; Chief Justice: John Jay.

Hamilton’s assumption of state debt

Federal government took on state debts; opposed by Madison and Jefferson; compromise included placing the capital in the South.

Tariff and excise tax (Hamilton plan)

Tax on goods like whiskey led to the Whiskey Rebellion; hurt farmers who turned grain into whiskey.

National Bank

Proposed by Hamilton; opposed by Jefferson and Madison.

Washington’s foreign policy (Neutrality)

The U.S. stayed neutral in conflicts between France and Britain.

Citizen Genet affair

French diplomat who tried to recruit Americans to fight for France, bypassing the government.

Jay Treaty

Agreement with Britain that avoided war and helped maintain peace after the Revolution.

Federalists (Hamiltonians)

Led by Hamilton, Adams, and Pinckney; supported strong national government.

Democratic

Republicans (Jeffersonians)

Federalist view of government

Strong national government.

Democratic

Republican view of government

Federalist economic vision

Strong national bank and financial system.

Democratic

Republican economic vision

Federalist geography

Mainly Northeast.

Democratic

Republican geography

Federalist view of human nature

People are selfish and need control.

Democratic

Republican view of human nature

Federalist interpretation of Constitution

Loose interpretation (flexible powers).

Democratic

Republican interpretation of Constitution

Federalist view of Britain and France

Pro

Democratic

Republican view of Britain and France

Washington’s reason for not seeking a third term

He was tired and wanted to avoid becoming a permanent ruler.

Washington’s Farewell Address warnings

Warnings against political parties, sectionalism, fiscal irresponsibility, permanent foreign alliances; also encouraged religion and education.