10 Questions
Who was the Secretary of State during George Washington's presidency?
Thomas Jefferson
What was the main role of the Secretary of War during George Washington's presidency?
To be in charge of the military
How many justices were established in the Supreme Court by the Judiciary Act of 1789?
6
What was George Washington's role in shaping the presidency?
He set the precedent for all future Presidents
What was the main job of the 13 lower district courts established by the Judiciary Act of 1789?
To hear appeals from state courts
What was the purpose of Hamilton's Assumption Plan?
To solve the national debt by having states assume federal and state debts
What was the purpose of a Protective Tariff?
To help domestic industries grow by taxing foreign goods
Why did the Southern States opposed Hamilton's Assumption Plan?
Because they had less war debt than the Northern States
What was the purpose of the National Bank?
To create a central bank to stabilize the economy
Why did the Southern States opposed the Tariff?
Because it helped the Northern States more
Study Notes
Presidency of George Washington (1789-1797)
- George Washington took office in New York and was nervous due to the country's many issues and challenges.
- As the first President, Washington set precedents for future presidents, defining what it means to be President.
Cabinet
- The Cabinet consisted of Washington's closest and most trusted advisors, guiding the President on matters related to their respective offices.
- Members of the Cabinet:
- Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson (oversees foreign affairs)
- Secretary of Treasury: Alexander Hamilton (manages the U.S. financial system)
- Secretary of War: Henry Knox (in charge of the military)
- Attorney General: Edmund Randolph (legal advisor to the President and other executive branch members)
- Postmaster General: Samuel Osgood
Judiciary Act of 1789
- Established the Supreme Court with 6 Justices, settling disputes between states and making final decisions.
- Created 13 lower district courts, mainly hearing appeals from state courts.
- John Jay, author of the Federalist Papers, was appointed as the first Chief Justice.
Debt Crisis and Hamilton's Economic Plan
- Hamilton's plan aimed to solve the national debt by:
- Assumption Plan: states assuming (agreeing to pay) both federal and state debts ($75 million).
- Issuing bonds: the government borrowed money by issuing certificates to individuals, promising repayment with interest.
- Implementing a protective tariff: a high tax on foreign goods to protect and help grow domestic industries.
Assumption Plan
- Opposed by Southern States, which had less war debt and believed it gave too much power to the National Government.
Bonds
- Sold to individuals, used to raise money for the U.S.
- The government would buy up old bonds issued before 1789 and issue new bonds.
Tariff
- A high tax on foreign goods to protect and help grow domestic industries.
- Would help raise revenue by forcing people to buy products made and grown in the U.S.
- Would help domestic manufacturers by protecting them from foreign competition.
- Opposed by Southern States, which relied on more imports than the Northern States.
National Bank
- Hamilton's plan proposed creating a national bank, with Congress having the power to do so under the Necessary and Proper clause.
- Opposed by those who believed it was unconstitutional and gave too much power to the National Government.
Test your knowledge about George Washington's presidency, including his inauguration and the challenges he faced. Learn about his cabinet members and their roles.
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