George Washington - Presidency

Who did Washington task with solving America's debt crisis?

Alexander Hamilton, who at 32 years old became the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury.

How did Hamilton propose handling the fact that certain states had dangerously high internal debt ?

He proposed that the government assume the entire debt of the federal government and the states. His plan was to retire the old depreciated obligations by borrowing new money at a lower interest rate.

Who ran against George Washington in the election of 1792?

He ran essentially unopposed and won a unanimous victory in the electoral college.

Which founding father's ideas were most associated with the rise of the Federalist Party? What was his and the parties vision for America?

Alexander Hamilton, who hoped for America to become an economic and military power modeled on Britain, with a strong central government, a national bank, a standing army, and flourishing industry. In foreign policy, Hamilton and the Federalists of the 1790s aligned themselves with the English.

Where was the capitol at the beginning of Washington's presidency? Where did it move to in December of 1790?

New York City; Philadelphia

In 1790, what percentage of the population was African?

20%

What was the main economic issue of the Washington presidency?

A huge debt remained from the Revolutionary War and paper money issued during the conflict was virtually worthless.

What were the terms of the Jay Treaty of 1794?

Britain agreed to evacuate its forts on American soil and to cease harassing American shipping (provided the ships did not carry supplies to Britain's enemies). Britain also agreed to pay damages for the ships it had seized and to permit the United States to trade with India and carry on restricted trade with the British West Indies.

What and when was the Whiskey Rebellion? How did Washington react to this rebellion?

By 1794, western Pennsylvanians rose up against the whiskey tax put into place by Whiskey Act of 1791. Some 7,000 frontiersmen marched on Pittsburgh to stop collection of the tax. Determined to set a precedent for the federal government's authority, Washington gathered an army of 15,000 militamen to disperse the rebels. In the face of this overwhelming force, the uprising collapsed.

How did Hamilton raise revenue to pay back the debt?

By the passing of the Tariff Act of 1789 and the Whiskey Act of 1791, the latter of which created excise tax on domestically produced distilled spirits.

What grievances did America have towards England during the Washington era?

During Washington's presidency Britain confiscated many American ships and their cargoes, arguing that they aided the French war effort. British naval vessels also frequently impressed American sailors, forcing them to work on British ships. Britain, in addition, still barred American ships from participating in the lucrative West Indian trade, a policy it formulated during the American Revolution. The United States was also upset by Britain's refusal to evacuate its forts in the Great Lakes area, although it had agreed to do so in the Treaty of Paris of 1783.

What led to increasing tensions between England and the US? How was war averted?

In 1794, war appeared imminent when British warships stopped 300 American ships carrying food supplies to France and to France's overseas possessions and forced sailors suspected of deserting from British ships into the British navy. To avert war, President Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to London to negotiate a settlement with the British.

What was the Treaty of Greenville? When was it?

In 1795 Native Americans ceded much of the present state of Ohio in return for cash and a promise that the federal government would treat the Indian nations fairly in land dealings.

What was the The Genet affair? When was it?

In April 1793, a French minister, Edmond Charles Genet, arrived in the United States and tried to persuade American citizens to join in revolutionary France's "war of all peoples against all kings." Genet passed out letters authorizing Americans to attack British commercial vessels. Washington regarded these activities as clear violations of U.S. neutrality, and demanded that France recall its hot headed minister. Fearful that he would be executed if he returned to France, Genet requested and was granted political asylum.

When did the last state ratify the Constitution? Which state was this?

In May of 1790; Rhode Island

What provision of the Jay Treaty particularly angered France? How did they respond?

In the Jay Treaty, France perceived an American tilt toward Britain, especially in a provision permitting the British to seize French goods from American ships in exchange for financial compensation. France retaliated by capturing hundreds of vessels flying the United States flag.

Why were southern slaveowners upset about the Jay Treaty?

Southern slaveowners were especially angry because they received no compensation for the slaves who had fled to the British during the Revolution.

During Washington's presidency and for many years after, what issue caused tension between Spain and America ?

Spain's refusal to recognize the new nation's southern and western boundaries.

How did Hamilton's plan to solve the debt crisis divide the states? How did was this resolved?

States like Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Virginia, which had already paid off their debts, saw no reason why they should be taxed by the federal government to pay off the debts of other states like Massachusetts and South Carolina. James Madison and Thomas Jefferson engineered a compromise. In exchange for southern votes, Hamilton promised to support locating the national capital on the banks of the Potomac River, the border between two southern states, Virginia and Maryland.

What was the Residence Act? When was it signed?

The Act provided for a national capital and permanent seat of government to be established at a site along the Potomac River. It was signed in July of 1790

By 1800 how had population changed?

The American population grew very rapidly, climbing over 20 percent to over five million in 1800. Population growth was particularly rapid in cities and in the West.

What European war raged during Washington's presidency? What were the years of this war and what was the effect of the war on America?

The Anglo-French War (1793-1802) - part of the French Revolutionary Wars and their peripheral conflicts. America tried to avoid involvement in the war but was pressured by France for aid and accused by England of assisting France.

In the course of Washington's two terms as president, political parties first emerged as a force in American politics. What is the name of these two parties?

The Democratic-Republicans (sometimes known as the Republicans but with no historical connection to the future party of that name) and George Washington's Federalists.

How did the Genet Affair affect domestic politics?

The Genet affair intensified party divisions. From Vermont to South Carolina, supporters of the French Revolution organized Democratic-Republican clubs.

What was the second piece of major legislation passed during George Washington's first term? When was this passed?

The Naturalization Act of 1790, which was passed in March of that year.

What was the first major piece of legislation passed in the United States after the ratification of the United States Constitution? When was it passed?

The Tariff Act of 1789, passed in July of that year.

How did the end of the Revolutionary War affect migration to the west?

The end of the American Revolution unleashed a rush of white settlers into frontier Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and western New York. Hundreds died as Indians resisted the influx of whites onto their lands.

Who did the Naturalization Act of 1890 exclude from citizenship rights?

The law also excluded indentured servants, free blacks and slaves, who were regarded as "property" and not "persons."

What was the population of the US in 1790? How did this compare to England?

The population was quite small--just under 4 million-which was only about a quarter the size of England.

When was the Bill of Rights ratified?

The states officially ratified the first ten amendments to the Constitution (also known as the Bill of Rights) in December of 1791..

What was the primary foreign policy issue of the Washington presidency?

The struggle to assert both its political and economic independence, in particular dealing with this in the context of its two primary trading partners, Britain and France, being at war.

Which founding father was the primary voice of opposition to the Jay Treaty? Why was he so against it?

Thomas Jefferson (who resigned as Secretary of State in 1793) was the primary voice of opposition to Washington and the Federalists. The movement of "Jeffersonians" he led were opposed to Britain, preferring support for France in the wars raging in Europe, and they argued that the treaty with France from 1778 was still in effect. They considered Britain as the center of aristocracy and the chief threat to the United States' Republican values. They denounced Hamilton and Jay (and even Washington) as monarchists who betrayed American values.

Which founding father's ideas were most associated with the rise of the Democratic-Federalist Party? What was his and the parties vision for America?

Thomas Jefferson, who envisioned an agrarian society, without a central bank, taxes, a standing army, or a large government bureaucracy. In foreign policy, Jefferson and the Republican-Democrats of the 1790s aligned themselves with the revolutionaries in France and against "English monarchists".

What was the purpose of the Tariff Act of 1789? According to this act who would be eligible for citizenship?

To codify naturalization law. The act restricted citizenship to "any alien, being a free white person" who had been in the U.S. for two years

What was the purpose of the Tariff Act of 1789

To protect manufacturing industries developing in the nation and was to raise revenue for the federal government.

What is the 14th state and when did it join the US? What was this state's status prior to joining the US?

Vermont; in 1791. From 1777 )when it seceded from New York) until 1791 Vermont considered itself an independent state called the Vermont Republic.