Download Name: Date: School: Facilitator: 6.01 Notes Guide “Washington`s

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Date:
School:
Facilitator:
6.01 Notes Guide
“Washington’s New Government”
Answer the 6.01 Notes Guide as you review the lesson. Submit your completed work to the 6.01 Notes
Guide Dropbox.
Intro:
Analyze the image. What are the men doing?
What are some possible reasons for their conflict?
Do you consider yourself a Democrat, Republican, or Independent?
Can you imagine being at odds with someone from another political party that it led to fighting, even a
fight to the death?
I. Opposing Political Views
President George Washington led a new government with a new Constitution into the 1790s. During his
two terms in office, Washington had important decisions to make that were critical to the success of the
new nation. One vital issue was the debate that continued between Federalists and Antifederalists over
the proper role of the government. Despite Washington’s warnings, the conflicting views over the
Constitution would lead to the establishment of
groups.
A. Alexander Hamilton’s Economic Policies
, the Secretary of Treasury, was a major player in the debate over the size and role of the federal
government. He proposed a complicated plan for the American economy that would expand
government’s role in directing the economy. In 1790, Congress approved Hamilton’s debt plan which
called for the national government to take on each state’s revolutionary war debts. His plan also
included locating the nation’s capital to
. to appease southerners. Hamilton’s plan was
controversial due to the huge new federal debt that would be owed to European banks, American
merchants, and speculators. However, he knew the debts would basically create long-term investments
in the U.S. government for the creditors. In other words, the people who we owed money to would now
have a financial interest in making sure the U.S. government was successful.
In 1791, Congress placed a tax on whiskey, and later created a
into the country, to raise money to pay the new national debts.
or tax, on foreign goods imported
B. The Bank of the United States
Congress established the
to handle the complicated financial matters set forth in Alexander
Hamilton’s plan for the economy.
“The 1790s saw debate over the establishment of a National Bank, the National Debt, and the location
of the national capital. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, members of George Washington's
Cabinet, advanced differing views on these issues.”
C. Jefferson Opposes Hamilton
Many Americans did not like the new taxes and federal interference in state affairs. They regarded
Hamilton’s policy as an attack on the hard-fought liberty of the people.
, the Secretary of State,
opposed Hamilton’s plan and general views of government.
In 1793, Jefferson resigned as Secretary of State because President Washington often sided with
Hamilton on most issues. Jefferson believed that Hamilton and his Federalists followers were betraying
the principles fought for in the American Revolution.
D. Loose vs. Strict Interpretation
Hamilton and Jefferson differed greatly on their
, or view, of the Constitution. Hamilton favored a
, or the belief that the government can do anything that the Constitution does not say it cannot
do. He viewed the Constitution as a loose framework of laws for the government to use to build the
nation. Jefferson preferred a
, the belief that government should not do anything that is not
specifically stated in the Constitution.
1791: Conflicting Views on the Role of the Federal Government - “Hamilton was a federalist. Jefferson
and Madison were Democratic-Republicans and wanted the federal government to take a small role in
people’s lives.”
E. Political Parties Form
Jefferson and many state leaders who were critics of the Federalists were called
or Jeffersonian
Republicans because they stood for a more democratic republic. They even promoted resistance to the
Federalist and encouraged attacks on the Washington administration. The Democratic-Republicans and
the Federalists made up the first political parties in the United States. A
is a group of voters
organized to win elections in order to control policies of government.
1791-1792: First Political Parties Are Formed, Bill of Rights Approved
“Federalists wanted federal government to play a large role, while the Democratic-Republicans favored
a small role for federal government.”
II. Washington’s Presidency
President George Washington dealt with many domestic and foreign policy issues that were critical to
the success of the new nation. at times he had to enforce laws that were not popular among the
American people, and he decided to keep America out of a war with Britain and France that might have
jeopardized the stability of the infant nation. None of these decisions were easy, and none were without
controversy.
A. Domestic Policy Issues
As president, Washington had a number of domestic issues to deal with including growing opposition to
Hamilton’s economic program. The tax on whiskey was a blow to farmers in Pennsylvania who relied on
whiskey as the only corn product that could be transported to market without spoiling.
The
, similar to Shays’ Rebellion, resulted when rebels closed courts and attacked tax collectors in
opposition to the whiskey tax. Washington organized a strong show of military force to stop the
rebellion and to communicate to the entire nation that the new government was serious about
enforcing its laws.
The Whiskey Rebellion Video
“During the Whiskey Rebellion, farmers opposed a federal tax on whiskey with violence and Washington
responded by sending troops.”
B. Foreign Policy Issues
Washington had a host of major foreign policy decisions to make that threatened the security of the
new nation. Shortly after his election, the
, inspired by the American cry for liberty, started in an
attempt to overthrow the French monarchy. In the midst of the French Revolution, France declared war
on Great Britain.
The U.S. had a strong relationship with both countries. Washington declared neutrality to avoid getting
involved in a war. In spite of our neutrality, the British attacked U.S. ships and
, or captured,
American sailors. The U.S. eventually settled these issues with Britain in a treaty known as
Jay's Treaty, 1794
“John Jay’s treaty with Britain led to undeclared war between France and the United States.”
.
C. Washington’s Farewell Address
Washington's strong and able leadership successfully steered the country through the first difficult years
of its creation and helped to ensure its success for future generations. However, Washington chose not
to run for a third term, another
he set among many such as being called “
”.
In his
, Washington warned against many things, including: competing
, sectionalism, the
dangers of
with foreign nations, and national debt. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of
unity, a balanced federal budget, and religion and morality to prosperity of the nation.
Washington’s Farewell
“Federalists and members of the newly formed Republican Party debate American relations with France
in lieu of the French Revolution. George Washington retires from the presidency after two terms and, in
his Farewell Address, stresses his belief in a strong central government.”
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