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Early American
Republic
The American Government
• Republic- people elect representatives to make
decisions for them.
• Democracy- people are allowed to vote
• People vote AND elect representatives to make
decisions for them = Democratic-Republic
President #1
George Washington’s
Presidency
•Washington’s actions would set a
precedent (an example that is followed
as though it is a law) for all other
Presidents.
1. “Mr. President”
2. Cabinet
3. Presidents don’t go to Congress to
debate laws
4. Only serving two terms
George Washington’s Cabinet
A cabinet is a group of people that gives advice to the
president.
• Secretary of War - Henry Knox
• Secretary of State - (deals w/ foreign affairs) Thomas Jefferson
(Democratic-Republican)
• Secretary of the Treasury - Alexander Hamilton (Federalist)
• Attorney General-(National Lawyer)Edmond Randolph
Thomas JeffersonI am a DemocraticRepublican!
Alexander HamiltonI am a Federalist!
Challenges to the
New Government
Domestic and Foreign
Affairs
Domestic Issues
Domestic- at home, within the country
Examples: health care, laws, taxes
1. Setting up a court system
2. Banking System (creating a stable economic system)
3. Taxation
Domestic Issue
#1
Setting up a
Court System
Setting Up the Courts!
The nation was new, so everything was being
set up for the first time.
Congress passed the Federal Judiciary
Act of 1789, which set up the federal
court system.
The details:
• Supreme Court would have six members.
• Five judges and one Chief Justice (head
judge/ leader).
• John Jay appointed (chosen for a
position) Chief Justice.
• Created lower, less powerful federal
courts.
Domestic Issue
#2
The Economy
Alexander Hamilton's
Economic Plan
•
•
Alexander Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury. So it was his
job to advise George Washington on what to do about money.
In 1790, he introduced his Economic Plan to Congress.
1. Pay off all war debts (National and State)
2. National Bank
3. Whiskey Tax
4. Protective Tariffs
Issue -
America had huge war
debts we needed to pay
1789- National Debt was over $52
million dollars
America owed money to…
• Individuals (soldiers)
• Countries (France)
• How will other countries view
America if we do not pay our
debts?
• George Washington needed to
figure out how to raise money
to pay off these debts.
• Alexander Hamilton had two
ideas to fix this…
1. Protective Tariffs
2. Whiskey Tax
Protective Tariffs
• He wanted to place Protective Tariffs - a tax on goods
IMPORTED from another country.
• Purpose of a Protective Tariff • Help to raise government revenues $$$
• Encourage the development of American industries
• Encourage citizens to buy “American” made products
This is to help American producers make money!
Protective Tariffs
• Sectionalism (being more loyal to one part of the
country than another) begins… Conflicts between the
North and South start to rise over economics!
North- Economy was based on Industry and
Manufactured goods.
They wanted to sell their goods!
South- Economy was based on Agriculture (cash
crops).
They needed to buy manufactured goods. In which
they bought from Europe. (Imported)
Domestic Issue
#3
Creating a
National Bank
[email protected]
Jefferson argues that the bank does
not fall under Article I’s “Necessary
& Proper” clause
Madison & Anti-Federalists also led
opposition, saying that it was
unconstitutional
Northern reps voted 33-1 for bank;
Southern reps voted 19-6 against it
This led to the question: Should there
be a strict or broad interpretation of
the Constitution?
Why did Thomas Jefferson oppose
the National Bank?
Strict
Interpretation
Loose
Interpretation
Word for word
If it doesn’t say I
can’t then I can
VS
If it doesn’t say I
can then I can’t
Thomas
Jefferson
Alexander
Hamilton
Hamilton won the argument
George Washington sets up the National Bank
Lasting Effect – Political divide begins to separate the
country
What was President Washington’s decision about the National Bank?
Foreign
Concerns
Foreign- from another place, country. Issues
between us and another country.
Examples: War, trade, and world peace.
Neutrality
Foreign Concern
Neutrality
The French Revolution
• Like America, many other European nations had
revolutions due to their tyrannical governments.
• The war placed the U.S. in an awkward position
• France had helped us during our Revolution,
but we still needed Britain as a trading partner.
Washington issues Declaration of
Neutrality in April 1793.
• This meant we would not pick sides or
help one country over another.
This point of view on foreign affairs is
called Neutrality – Not choosing
sides.
George Washington’s
Legacy
The Farewell Address
At the end of his second term, Washington gives a speech about what
he sees in Americas future.
He stresses two important things:
#1. Forming Political Parties
He Said: America shouldn’t have political parties
Why?
He feared it would cause sectionalism &
political factions (divisions, fighting)
#2. Forming Alliances with Foreign Nations
He Said: America should avoid making alliances
with other countries
Why? Staying neutral avoids problems