Download Chapter 9 Lesson 1 Washington*s Presidency

Chapter 9 Lesson 1
Washington’s Presidency
Essential Question:
How did George Washington set up the new
government, and what was the purpose of the
Federal Judiciary Act of 1789?
Washington Takes Office
• Electoral College chose two names for
president. Washington received the most votes
and was elected president
• John Adams, the runner-up became vice
president.
• Washington was inaugurated (sworn in as
president) April 30, 1789 at Federal Hall.
Setting Up the Courts
• The Constitution created a Supreme Court, but
left it to Congress to decide the number of
judges.
• Congress passed the Federal Judiciary Act of
1789. This act:
– Gave the Supreme Court six members
– Chose one Chief Justice
– Chose five associate justices
Washington’s Cabinet
• The Constitution gave Congress the task of creating
departments to help the president.
• The president had the power to appoint the heads
of these departments.
• The heads of the departments together became
known as the president’s cabinet
• Congress created three departments:
– Department of War (Secretary of War – Henry Knox)
– The State Department (Secretary of State – Thomas
Jefferson)
– Department of the Treasury (Secretary of the
Treasury – Alexander Hamilton)
Economic Problems
• The new government had war debts totaling
52 million dollars.
• Alexander Hamilton believed the country must
pay its war debts or no country would ever lend
the U.S. money again in the future.
• Hamilton supported a strong central
government
• He encouraged business and industry
• He believed the nation’s economic growth
depended upon wealthy merchants and
manufacturers.
Economic Problems
• In 1790 Alexander Hamilton presented his plan to
Congress:
1. Pay off all war debts
2. Raise government revenues
3. Create a national bank
• Because the Southern states had already repaid
their war debts, they did not want to help the
Northern states pay theirs.
• They reached a compromise: support for the plan
in exchange for the new nation’s capital located in
the South – between Virginia and Maryland along
the Potomac River.
Economic Problems
• Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury
also supported a tariff a tax placed on imported
goods.
1. Raised money for the government
2. Encouraged people to buy American
made products
• The highest tariffs were on foreign goods like
shoes and textiles (fabrics)
Interpreting the Constitution
• Thomas Jefferson and James Madison:
– Constitution supported less power to the Federal
Government
– Government only has the powers specifically stated in the
Constitution, nothing more.
– Supported literal interpretation of the Constitution
– Opposed a national bank
• Alexander Hamilton disagreed:
- Constitution supported a strong Federal Government
- Favored a “flexible” interpretation of the
Constitution
- National Bank is necessary to carry out the government’s
duties
Interpreting the Constitution
• Both Jefferson and Hamilton argued their
positions to President Washington
• Alexander Hamilton won, and the Bank of the
United States was set up in 1791.
• The First Bank of the United States was built in
1791 and was located in Philadelphia PA
• It is now a national historic landmark.