George Washington's Presidency

Federal government strengthened under George Washington

1. Creation of a national bank 2. The expansion of the country westward. 3. Stopping of the Whiskey Rebellion

Important George Washington precedents (examples)

1. Creation of cabinet 2. Call me "Mr. President" 3. Two terms-8 Years is enough time in office 4. Peaceful transition of power from first president to the next president 5. Added "so help me God" to the presidential oath

George Washington's legacy

1. He strengthened the power of the federal government 2. Strengthened the power of the presidency 3. Even though he did not identify with a particular party, many of his decisions were in line with federalist ideas.

Jefferson's opposition to Hamilton's bank

1. It was unconstitutional since their is no mention in the constitution of the government having the authority to create it.

Hamilton's national bank

1. Pay off state debt (assumption) - to countries and individual citizens 2. Establish good credit with other countries.

George Washington's Farewell Address advice

1. Stay Neutral (avoid foreign entanglements...war) 2. Political parties are divisive...they divide instead of unite (people will place the interest of their party over the greater good of the American people) 3. Two terms is enough time for a president...Serving beyond 8 years could lead to corruption and a concentration of too much power and influence.

Protective Tariff

A high tax placed on imported goods to support the buying of American-made goods. During the early portion of our nations history this practice benefitted the industrial north and hurt the agricultural south.

Jay's Treaty

A treaty with Britain in which they agreed to withdraw from American soil. The treaty did not mention the impressment issue or British interference with American trade. Many Americans did not agree or like this treaty.

Pinckney's Treaty

A treaty with Spain giving Americans free navigation of the Mississippi River and the right to trade at New Orleans.

Alien and Sedition acts

Acts passed by federalists giving the government power to imprison or deport foreign citizens and prosecute critics of the government; John Adams was president during this time

Whiskey rebellion

An uprising of farmers who refused to pay the federal whiskey tax. Washington stops the rebellion immediately and sends the message that he intends to enforce federal laws and he would not tolerate violence.

Unwritten Constitution

Anything that is part of our government as a result of custom and tradition and is not written in the Constitution.

The Cabinet

Created by George Washington...they serve as advisors to the president

Alexander Hamilton

First Secretary of Treasury who created a financial plan to improve the stability of America's economy. He...Created a national bank, raised the tariff rate and placed a tax on whiskey

Beliefs of Jefferson and the Democratic Republicans

Many powers should be left up to the states, support agriculture, common man can run our government, not just the educated; supporters of France.

Beliefs of Hamilton and the Federalists

Strong federal power, distrust in common man, good relations with Britain, support business, banking and industry.

John Adams

Washington's Vice President; also became the 2nd President of the U.S.

Bank of the U.S.

a national bank chartered by congress in 1791 to provide security for the U.S.

Democratic-Republicans

a political party founded in the 1790s by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and other leaders who wanted to preserve power in the state governments

precedent

an act or decision that sets an example for others to follow; Traditions

strict constructionist

one who believes that federal government should take actions only specifically found in the constitution

loose constructionist

one who believes that the federal government should take actions that are not specifically forbidden by the constitution

Federalists

political party that supported a strong central government; Alexander Hamilton

inauguration

swearing in as president

Washington, D.C.

the capital of the United States

Declaration of Neutrality

when war broke out, both France and Britain tried to draw the U.S. in. Washington stayed strictly neutral