Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
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.