Washington's Presidency: Key Facts and Accomplishments

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Questions and Answers

What was Washington's title as president?

Mr. President (correct)

Your Majesty

Your Excellency

Exalted One

How many terms did Washington serve as president?

4 terms

1 term

3 terms

2 terms (correct)

What was the primary purpose of Hamilton's financial plan?

To fund the expansion of the U.S. military

To establish trade agreements with other nations

To create a new currency for the United States

To raise funds to pay off the national debt (correct)

Which of the following was NOT one of the components of Hamilton's financial plan?

Establish trade embargoes Signup and view all the answers

What was the approximate total debt of the United States at the time of Washington's presidency?

$81,497,000 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a position in Washington's cabinet?

Secretary of Commerce Signup and view all the answers

What compromise was made regarding the location of the nation's capital?

The capital would be moved South Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a reason for the formation of political parties during Washington's presidency?

Disagreements over the financial plan Signup and view all the answers

What was the approximate population of the United States in 1790?

4 million Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Washington's presidency is NOT true?

He was part of a political party Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following beliefs was associated with the Federalist Party?

A strong central government that balanced power between the masses and wealthy Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Whiskey Rebellion?

It showed the strength of the executive branch in enforcing laws Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of Washington's Neutrality Proclamation of 1793?

To avoid political involvement in the conflicts of other countries Signup and view all the answers

Which treaty established a border with Spain and gave the U.S. access to New Orleans?

Pinckney's Treaty Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of Washington's Farewell Address?

To warn against the dangers of political parties and foreign alliances Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the election of 1800?

It marked the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Alien and Sedition Acts passed by the Federalists in 1798?

To restrict criticism of the government and deport foreigners Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions of 1798?

They asserted the right of states to nullify federal laws Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Battle of Fallen Timbers?

It secured land free of British and Native American control Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 12th Amendment to the Constitution?

It established the procedure for electing the President and Vice President separately Signup and view all the answers

What event led to the passage of the 12th Amendment?

The election of 1800 resulting in a tie between Jefferson and Burr Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Marbury v. Madison case?

It established the principle of judicial review Signup and view all the answers

Why did Jefferson initially hesitate to approve the Louisiana Purchase?

He believed it would violate the principles of strict constitutional interpretation Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?

To map a trail to the Pacific Northwest and explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory Signup and view all the answers

What led to the Embargo Act of 1807?

The British practice of impressment of American sailors Signup and view all the answers

Who was Tecumseh, and what was his role in the War of 1812?

A Native American leader who allied with the British against the Americans Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Battle of New Orleans?

It was a decisive American victory led by Andrew Jackson Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Gibbons v. Ogden and McCulloch v. Maryland Supreme Court cases?

They increased federal power and diminished state power Signup and view all the answers

What was the Monroe Doctrine?

A policy of preventing European interference in the Western Hemisphere Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Washington's Presidency (1789-1797)

First President of the United States, voted unanimously
Established precedents, including the title of "Mr. President"
Served two terms and voluntarily gave up power, establishing constitutional authority to enforce laws
Conducted the first census in 1790, counting approximately 4 million people
Created cabinet positions, including Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of War, and Attorney General
Appointed Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of Treasury, Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State, and Henry Knox as Secretary of War
Established a financial plan, which included making all debt national debt, raising money to pay the debt, standardizing the banking system, and creating a national bank and mint

Financial Plan and Compromise

Total debt was $81,497,000, with $377,238,000 in debt owed by the states
A compromise was reached, with the nation's capital being moved south (the creation of D.C.) in exchange for the federal government taking on the debt of the northern states

Formation of Political Parties

Hamilton and his supporters formed the Federalist Party, which believed in a loose interpretation of the Constitution, a strong central government, and a banking system based on industry
Jefferson and his supporters formed the Democratic-Republican Party, which believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution, a strong state government, and an agricultural-based economy

Whiskey Rebellion

Farmers in Western Pennsylvania turned their excess wheat into whiskey and protested against the new taxes, leading to a rebellion
Washington rode out to put down the rebellion, demonstrating the strength of the government

Foreign Policy

Issued the Neutrality Proclamation in 1793, stating that the U.S. would trade with but not get involved in the politics of other countries
Faced the French Revolution, which caused division in the U.S. and led to the Pinckney's Treaty and the Jay Treaty

Farewell Address

Warned against the dangers of political parties and sectionalism
Emphasized the importance of neutrality and building up the country before getting involved in foreign affairs

John Adams' Presidency (1797-1801)

Second President of the United States, leading son of liberty and Federalist
Election of 1796 saw Adams as President and Jefferson as Vice President
Faced the French Revolution and the XYZ Affair, leading to the Alien and Sedition Acts

Alien and Sedition Acts

1798 Alien Act gave the President the power to expel foreigners
1798 Sedition Act made it a crime to publish criticisms of the government

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Jefferson and Madison believed the Alien and Sedition Acts violated the 1st Amendment
Argued that states could nullify a federal law, an idea that would lead to the Civil War and continue to today

Revolution of 1800

Adams, Pinckney, Jefferson, and Burr ran for President in 1800, with Jefferson and Burr tying for President
Hamilton convinced Congress to vote for Jefferson, leading to the 12th Amendment and the election of Jefferson as President

Jefferson's Presidency (1801-1809)

Louisiana Purchase of 1803, acquiring land from Napoleon for $15 million
Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) mapped a trail to the Pacific Northwest and the Pacific Ocean
Impressment crisis with Britain, leading to the Embargo Act of 1807 and a failed attempt to teach Britain a lesson without going to war

Madison's Presidency (1809-1817)

Father of the Constitution and Secretary of State for Jefferson
Faced Native American resistance, particularly from Tecumseh, and the War of 1812
Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811 saw William Henry Harrison defeat Tecumseh
War Hawks, led by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, called for war against Britain

War of 1812

America attempted to free Canada and was met with resistance from the British
Battle of the Thames in 1813 saw Tecumseh's death and the end of Native American resistance
British burned the Capitol and the Battle of Baltimore led to the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner"
Treaty of Ghent ended the war in December 1814, and the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815 saw Andrew Jackson emerge as a war hero

Monroe's Presidency (1817-1825)

Era of Good Feelings, with only one political party (Democratic-Republicans) and a sense of national pride and achievement
Supreme Court cases, including Gibbons vs. Ogden and McCulloch vs. Maryland, increased federal power and decreased state power
Announced the Monroe Doctrine, stating that America would prevent European interference in independent countries in the Western Hemisphere and stay out of European affairs

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Description

Explore important facts and achievements during George Washington's presidency as the first President from 1789 to 1797, including unanimous election, establishment of precedents, creation of Cabinet positions, and more.