10 Questions
Who was elected unanimously as the first president of the United States in 1789?
George Washington
What was the main purpose of Alexander Hamilton's national bank?
To reduce the national debt
What was the main concern of Thomas Jefferson regarding the federal government?
It was too strong
What was the main significance of the Bill of Rights in 1791?
It guaranteed fundamental rights to citizens
What was the Whiskey Rebellion about?
A resistance to a federal tax on whiskey
What was the significance of Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality in 1793?
It kept the US out of European conflicts
What was the main purpose of the Constitution in 1787?
To outline the three branches of government and a system of checks and balances
What was the significance of George Washington's two-term limit?
It established a precedent for future presidents
What was the main characteristic of Thomas Jefferson's vision for the US?
An agrarian republic built on the backs of farmers
What was the significance of the period between 1789-1807?
The US was established as a stable government
Study Notes
The Dawning of a Nation: US History 1789-1807
Founding Fathers Take Center Stage
- George Washington: First president of the United States, unanimously elected in 1789, set many precedents for future presidents, established a two-term limit, and brought prestige and unity to the young nation.
- Alexander Hamilton: Brilliant economist and first Secretary of the Treasury, championed a strong federal government and a national bank, often clashed with Thomas Jefferson's ideas.
- Thomas Jefferson: Secretary of State under Washington, advocated for a limited federal government, states' rights, and envisioned an agrarian republic built on the backs of farmers.
Washington's First Term (1789-1793)
- Building the Government: Established the first executive departments (State, Treasury, War) with his cabinet advisors, and the federal judiciary was also created.
- The Bill of Rights (1791): First ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights like freedom of speech, religion, and the press, helping to quell anxieties about a powerful central government.
- Whiskey Rebellion (1791-1794): Farmers in western Pennsylvania resisted a federal tax on whiskey, Washington used military force to suppress the rebellion, demonstrating the power of the federal government to enforce laws.
Foreign Policy
- Washington declared neutrality in the war between France and Britain, a controversial decision, but one that kept the young nation out of a larger conflict.
Important Documents
- Constitution (1787): Outlined the three branches of government (legislative, executive, judicial) and a system of checks and balances.
- Bill of Rights (1791): Protected individual liberties and limited government power.
- Proclamation of Neutrality (1793): Washington's official declaration that the US would stay neutral in European conflicts.
Looking Ahead
- By 1807, the US had taken significant strides towards establishing a stable government, but tensions between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans would continue to shape the nation's future.
- Challenges like foreign policy entanglements and westward expansion loomed on the horizon.
Explore the Founding Fathers' contributions to shaping the United States during its early years. Learn about George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson's roles in establishing the nation.
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