Presidency of George Washington (1789-1797)
As you know, the 1st president of the United States was George Washington. He was born in Virginia. George served in the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. He also signed the Declaration of Independence and helped draft the Constitution. He is recognized as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
The Cabinet
Since the Constitution specifically says the president is required to assign people to different federal executive departments to help make final decisions, the first thing Washington did was make his “cabinet”. He chose Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State, Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of Treasury, Henry Knox as Secretary of War and Edmund Randolph as Attorney General. To this day, the president will usually call meetings with the Cabinet members.
Hamilton's GoalsHamilton had many goals to ensure the United States had a healthy economy.
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Whiskey RebellionAfter Hamilton had Congress pass excise taxes on whiskey, many farmers were angry. The protested by tarring and feathering tax collectors and destroyed buildings. Washington couldn't take it so he send a militia to stop it.
Jay's TreatyU.S. Sailors were being impressed (kidnapped and forced into their military) by Britain and France, so the United States made Jay's Treaty to try and stop it. It was negotiated for one year but it doesn't stop the impressment.
Pinckney's TreatySpain still controlled Spanish Florida so Washington sent Thomas Pinckney to negotiate the right to navigate the Mississippi River and transport goods at the Port of New Orleans. All parties agreed, which successfully removed Spain so America could settle further west.
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Hamilton vs. Jefferson
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson both had very different views and ideas. They were total opposites, which led them to disagree and fight over everything!
Bank of the United States
One of the arguments they had was over the creation of the Bank of the United States. Hamilton wanted to establish it, but Jefferson disagreed and said the Constitution said nothing about creating a bank. Hamilton argued that the elastic clause in the Constitution allows the government the right to, but Jefferson said the federal government needs to have a limited power. In the end, President George Washington sided with Hamilton.
Neutrality Proclamation of 1793
In France, the French Revolution was taking place. The United States supported it at first, but then it started getting really bloody and violent. Jefferson thought they should still support France. Hamilton disagreed and argued to stay neutral to keep good relationships with Britain. Again, Washington sided with Hamilton and issued the Neutrality Proclamation. This actually made both the British and French mad, resulting them to seizing U.S. Ships in the Atlantic Ocean.
Farewell Address
As Washington retired from being president, he delivered his Farewell Address to the American people in 1797. He gave three pieces of important advice.
- No political parties
- Do not get involved with Europe
- Do not have entangling alliances with foreign nations
George Washington's Farewell Address (source: www.ourdocuments.gov)
sources: http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents, Kaplan AP U.S. History Test Prep Book