George Washington's Presidency: Comprehensive Study Notes

Washington's Presidency

Warm Up

• Discussion Prompt: What challenges do you think Washington will face as the nation's first president?

Learning Target

• Objective: To explore the Presidential Administration of George Washington and its impact on the Presidency and the nation.

Washington Becomes President

• Inauguration:

  • Date: April 30, 1789

  • Location: New York City

  • Definition: Inauguration is the ceremony in which the President officially takes the oath of office.

• Witness Accounts:

  • Observers noted Washington's demeanor as "grave, almost to sadness."

• Washington’s Perspective:

  • Viewed the position of Presidency as a burden and responsibility rather than a privilege.

  • This perspective influenced the nature of the Executive Branch.

• Critical Thinking: Why do you think Washington looked “grave, almost to sadness”?

Washington’s Presidency

• Constitutional Framework:

  • The U.S. Constitution outlines the Executive Branch but lacks specific guidelines for daily governance.

• Precedents Set by Washington:

  • His actions established norms for future Presidents and the Executive Branch.

• Key Establishments:

  • First Cabinet

  • Federal Court System

  • National Bank

• Historical Context:

  • Washington chose not to run for a third term in 1796, setting an important precedent; no President would seek a third term until 1940.

The Cabinet

• Need for Talent: Washington recognized the necessity of skilled individuals to facilitate government functionality.

• Creation of the First Cabinet (1789):

  • Definition: A Cabinet consists of members in charge of various departments of the Executive Branch advising the President.

• First Five Cabinet Positions:

  • Department of State

  • Department of the Treasury

  • Department of War

  • Attorney General

  • Postmaster General

• Evolution: The Cabinet still exists today and has expanded over time.

• Critical Thinking: Why do you think these were the first five departments created?

Federal Court System

• Congressional Action: One of Washington’s primary actions was to collaborate with Congress to establish a federal court system.

• Judiciary Act of 1789: Definition: Legislation passed by Congress that set up the federal judiciary.

  • Established a Supreme Court with:

  • 6 Justices (1 Chief Justice and 5 Associate Justices)

  • Created district courts and circuit courts across the nation, a system that remains in place.

• Supreme Court Role: Recognized as the highest court in the nation.

Alexander Hamilton and the National Bank

• Context of National Debt:

  • During the Revolutionary War, the government and states borrowed heavily from foreign countries and citizens, leading to significant national debt.

• Issuing Bonds:

  • Definition: Bonds are certificates that promise repayment of loaned money with interest at a specified date.

U.S. Financial Problems (1789-1791)

• Financial Statistics:

  • Total income received by the nation: $4.4 ext{ million}$

  • Cost to run the government: $4.3 ext{ million}$

  • Total debt owed by the United States: $77.2 ext{ million}$

Warm Up Questions

1. What were the first Cabinet positions established by Washington, and why were these positions the first to be created?

2. Why was the United States heavily in debt at the beginning of Washington’s administration?

3. What is a government bond, and why did the government issue them?

Alexander Hamilton and the National Bank

• Debt Repayment Strategy:

  • Hamilton advocated for the federal government to repay both federal and state debts to stabilize national finances.

• First Legislative Action:

  • Proposed Congress pass a tariff (tax on imports) to fund the government, which was approved in 1789.

• Opposition:

  • James Madison opposed Hamilton’s plan, arguing it disproportionately favored speculators—individuals investing in risky ventures for big gains.

State Debts

• Debt Status by 1789:

  • Many southern states had settled their debts, believing other states should follow suit, particularly those in New England who owed significantly more.

• Regional Discontent:

  • Southern states opposed the nation’s debt plan as it favored northern creditors.

• Critical Thinking: Why do you think the Southern States were able to pay off their debt before other states? Why would they be opposed to a tariff?

State Debt Assumed by the New Federal Government (1790)

• State Debt Breakdown:

  • New Hampshire: $300,000$

  • Delaware: $200,000$

  • Massachusetts: $4,000,000$

  • Maryland: $800,000$

  • Rhode Island: $200,000$

  • Virginia: $3,500,000$

  • Connecticut: $1,600,000$

  • North Carolina: $2,400,000$

  • New York: $1,200,000$

  • South Carolina: $4,000,000$

  • New Jersey: $800,000$

  • Georgia: $300,000$

  • Pennsylvania: $2,200,000$

Compromise and Capital Location

• Hamilton's Compromise:

  • To secure Southern support, Hamilton offered to position the new federal capital along the Potomac River on lands from Virginia and Maryland, resulting in the District of Columbia.

Warm Up Questions

1. What compromise was made between the Southern States and Alexander Hamilton that allowed the federal government to assume state debts and establish a national bank?

2. Why did the Southern states make this compromise?

Tariffs and National Debt Reduction

• First Bank of the United States: Created in 1791 alongside the establishment of a tariff system.

• Special Tax Measures: Congress approved a tax on all liquor produced and sold in the U.S. as an additional revenue measure.

The Whiskey Rebellion

• Agricultural Context: Farmers converted corn to whiskey for better transport and profitability.

• Rebellion of 1794:

  • Farmers in western Pennsylvania resisted tax collection, testing the resolve of the Federal Government.

  • Washington's prompt action demonstrated the government’s capacity to manage unrest.

Warm Up Questions

1. What was the Whiskey Rebellion, and why was it significant?

2. Explain the impact of the French Revolution on the United States.

America and the French Revolution

• Initial Support: After the Bastille's destruction on July 14, 1789, Americans initially supported the French Revolution, viewing it through the lens of their own fight for liberty.

• Influential Figures: The Marquis de Lafayette was particularly admired for his role in the American Revolutionary War.

Shift in American Sentiment

• Turbulent Transition: By 1793, the violence of the French Revolution escalated, leading to radical reforms and mass executions during the Reign of Terror.

• Divided Opinions:

  • Thomas Jefferson supported the revolutionaries, endorsing their right to pursue freedom, although he criticized their violent methods.

  • Alexander Hamilton and like-minded individuals rejected this violence.

European Warfare and American Neutrality

• International Conflict: Following the outbreak of war between Britain and France, American trading partners became embroiled in conflict.

• Concerns for American Neutrality: Washington feared the inability to honor treaty obligations while remaining neutral.

• Neutrality Proclamation: Issued in April 1793 to assert America's position amidst the conflict.

• Trade Implications: Warring nations seized American goods, complicating trade efforts.

• Critical Thinking: Which nation, Britain or France, posed a more serious threat to the United States and why?

Warm Up Questions

1. What actions were taken to maintain American neutrality during the European conflict?

2. Explain the implications of the Neutrality Proclamation.

Jay’s Treaty

• Diplomatic Action: Following the capture of American ships by the British, Washington sent John Jay to negotiate.

• Outcomes of Negotiation:

  • Britain agreed to compensate the U.S. for seized ships.

  • British withdrawal from forts in the West was stipulated.

  • Americans were required to settle debts owed to British merchants to normalize relations.

• Neutrality Maintenance: Jay's treaty was crucial in preventing war while maintaining neutrality, although certain unresolved issues persisted.

• Critical Thinking: What issues did the treaty fail to address?

Washington’s Farewell Address

• Post-Presidency Guidance: After two terms, Washington's Farewell Address included advice against entangling alliances:

  • Quote: "Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent Alliances, with any portion of the foreign World…"

• Foreign Policy Impact: Washington's stance against permanent alliances influenced American foreign relations for years to come.