Notes on George Washington and John Adams PDF

I. The Presidency of George Washington (1789-1797) A. When the Constitution was ratified in 1789, George Washington was unanimously elected 1st president: 1. Washington helped shape the new nation and created precedents for future presidents and leaders B. During his first term, President Washing...

I. The Presidency of George Washington (1789-1797) A. When the Constitution was ratified in 1789, George Washington was unanimously elected 1st president: 1. Washington helped shape the new nation and created precedents for future presidents and leaders B. During his first term, President Washington focused on domestics that would shape the new nation: 1. Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789 which created federal courts 2. Congress created the Treasury, State, War, and Justice Departments 3. Washington created the 1st cabinet (group of advisors who head departments) C. Alexander Hamilton vs. Thomas Jefferson 1. Alexander Hamilton believed that a strong government was necessary to provide order in America a. He wanted to build a strong economy focused on the industry so America could be self-sufficient b. He believed that the Constitution should be loosely interpreted to allow the government to respond to issues 2. Thomas Jefferson believed that political power should remain with state governments to protect liberty a. He wanted the economy to remain focused on farming and the gov’t to protect farmers b. He believed that the Constitution should be strictly interpreted with all other powers reserved to state governments c. Among their biggest disagreement was over Hamilton’s Financial Plan 3. In 1789, Hamilton proposed a financial plan that would guide the future of the U.S. economy a. Hamilton proposed funding and assumption of all state debts incurred during the Revolutionary War i. By taking the state debts, the US government would force the states to work together ii. By repaying all debts, the USA would gain foreign credit. iii. Congress and Washington approved Hamilton’s plan for funding and assumption b. To raise money for the new nation, Hamilton proposed a tax on whiskey and a creating a protective tariff on foreign manufactured goods that would promote American industry i. Congress and Washington approved Hamilton’s whiskey tax...But did not approve Hamilton’s protective tariff c. Hamilton proposed creating a Bank of the US (BUS) that would regulate the money supply by holding federal funds and loaning them to state banks i. Jefferson argued that the BUS was unconstitutional and gave too much power to bankers in cities ii. Hamilton argued that the BUS was “necessary and proper” to control the economy and regulate currency iii. President Washington agreed with Hamilton and Congress passed a law creating the Bank of the U.S. in 1791 D. The disagreements between Hamilton and Jefferson led to the formation of America’s first political parties 1. Hamilton formed the Federalist Party: Federalists supported a strong national government… loose interpretation of the Constitution…a strong financial system that favored banks and industry… supporting England when war broke out with France 2. Jefferson formed the Democratic-Republican Party: Republicans supported strong state governments… strict interpretation of the Constitution…state banks and policies that supported small farmers…supporting France when war broke out with England E. After 4 years, George Washington was unanimously elected president for a second term…In his second term (1793-1797), Washington had to solve serious problems that faced the young nation 1. In 1793, Washington made an important foreign policy precedent with his Proclamation of Neutrality a. President Washington believed that America was too young to involve itself in a European war b. American politicians remained neutral in European affairs from 1793 to 1898 2. In 1794, Washington faced another crisis: the Whiskey Rebellion a. Hamilton’s whiskey tax frustrated western farmers in Pennsylvania who saw it as unfair to the poor  b. When the Whiskey Rebellion began in 1794, President Washington saw the uprising as a threat to public safety c. President Washington mobilized an army of 13,000 soldiers which ended the rebellion d. The quick end to the rebellion revealed the strength of the new national government under the Constitution F. In 1796, Washington chose not to run for a 3rd term as president 1. He was afraid that if he died in office, it would create a precedent that presidents can serve for life 2. There was no term limit in the Constitution, but Washington created the precedent that no president serve more than two terms 3. In 1796, George Washington advised the nation in his Farewell Address a. Washington warned against the growth of “factions” and political parties b. He warned against growing sectional tensions between the North and South c. He restated his desire for neutrality by warning against entangling alliances II. The Presidency of John Adams (1797-1801) A. After Washington’s retirement, the Democratic-Republicans and Federalists campaigned for the presidency in 1796… Federalist John Adams defeated Republican Thomas Jefferson and won the presidency 1. The war between England & France was still going on and continued to cause problems for America a. France was frustrated with American neutrality and began to seize U.S. merchant ships b. Adams sent diplomats to France to negotiate an agreement on American trade rights in Europe c. Three French officials (nicknamed X, Y, and Z) demanded a bribe to meet with French ministers… Americans were offended by this XYZ Affair and called for war with France, but Adams kept his cool 2. President Adams’ handling of the conflict with France led to criticisms by Democratic-Republicans a. Federalists in Congress passed the Alien & Sedition Acts b. The laws made it a crime to criticize government leaders, restricted citizenship for new immigrants, and made deporting immigrants easier c. This attack on free speech and citizenship backfired and badly damaged President Adams and the Federalist Party B. Adams and his Federalist Party were unpopular by the election of 1800…Republican Jefferson defeated Adams in the election of 1800 1. The 1800 election marked the first time in U.S. history when one political party transferred power to another political party 2. Jefferson’s victory over Adams marked the beginning of 30 years of dominance by the Democratic-Republican Party