The First PresidentThe First President Senate met to vote for Senate met to vote for

President after President after ratification of the ratification of the Constitution.Constitution.

Many feared a President Many feared a President would become King.would become King.– They trusted Gen. George They trusted Gen. George

WashingtonWashington April 6, 1789 – April 6, 1789 –

Unanimous electionUnanimous election John Adams – 1John Adams – 1stst Vice Vice

PresidentPresident

Shaping the FutureShaping the Future Precedents set by 1Precedents set by 1stst

President would shape President would shape the future of America.the future of America.

““No slip will pass No slip will pass unnoticed.”unnoticed.”– What does that mean to What does that mean to

you?you?

Washington’s 1Washington’s 1stst action action– How to address the How to address the

President: Mr. PresidentPresident: Mr. President– Not, “His Highness” as Not, “His Highness” as

suggested by J. Adams.suggested by J. Adams.

The First CongressThe First Congress Set up 1Set up 1stst Three Departments in Executive Three Departments in Executive

Branch of gov’tBranch of gov’t– State DepartmentState Department: Relations with other : Relations with other

nationsnations– Treasury Dept:Treasury Dept: Financial issues Financial issues– War Dept:War Dept: Provides for the nation’s defense Provides for the nation’s defense

Attorney General:Attorney General: Handles all gov’t legal Handles all gov’t legal affairsaffairs

Postmaster General:Postmaster General: Direct the postal Direct the postal serviceservice

The CabinetThe Cabinet Washington decided to Washington decided to

appoint leaders of the appoint leaders of the departments.departments.– Secretary of State: Secretary of State:

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson– Secretary of the Secretary of the

Treasury: Alexander Treasury: Alexander HamiltonHamilton

– Secretary of War: Henry Secretary of War: Henry KnoxKnox

– Attorney General: Attorney General: Edmund RandolphEdmund Randolph Met regularly, known as Met regularly, known as

“The Cabinet”“The Cabinet”

Hamilton’s PlanHamilton’s Plan Gave “I Owe You” notes (Bonds) to people Gave “I Owe You” notes (Bonds) to people

to repay money contributed during Rev. to repay money contributed during Rev. War.War.

Many sold bonds to Many sold bonds to speculators speculators (people (people who risk $ to make a larger profit)who risk $ to make a larger profit)

Many opposed repaying full price for bonds Many opposed repaying full price for bonds – especially the south.– especially the south.– Moved capital to Washington, DC to get support Moved capital to Washington, DC to get support

from southern states.from southern states.

ChallengesChallenges Struggled to keep Struggled to keep

Americans from moving to Americans from moving to NW territoriesNW territories– Indian LandIndian Land– Caused fighting over land Caused fighting over land – The Battle of Fallen The Battle of Fallen

TimbersTimbers Crushed over 1,000 Crushed over 1,000

Native AmericansNative Americans Wanted to keep America Wanted to keep America

neutral during French neutral during French RevolutionRevolution– Proclamation of Proclamation of

NeutralityNeutrality: Prohibited : Prohibited Americans from fighting Americans from fighting for either side.for either side.

Jay’s TreatyJay’s Treaty

Washington promised Washington promised to maintain neutrality.to maintain neutrality.

British agreed British agreed – Withdraw troops from Withdraw troops from

AmericaAmerica– Pay for seized shipsPay for seized ships– Allow trade w/ British Allow trade w/ British

coloniescolonies– Settled all debts w/ Settled all debts w/

Britain prior to Britain prior to Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

Washington’s FarewellWashington’s Farewell Served 2 termsServed 2 terms

– Set precedent for future Set precedent for future Presidents to follow.Presidents to follow.

Left angered about divisions Left angered about divisions in American politics.in American politics.

Farewell addressFarewell address– Attacked evils of political Attacked evils of political

partiesparties– Urged citizens to “observe good Urged citizens to “observe good

faith and justice towards all faith and justice towards all nations, ‘tis our policy to steer nations, ‘tis our policy to steer clear of permanent alliances.”clear of permanent alliances.”

First Political PartiesFirst Political PartiesFederalistsFederalists Democratic-Democratic-

RepublicansRepublicansSomeone who supported Someone who supported ratification of the ratification of the constitution.constitution.Strong federal gov’tStrong federal gov’tAdmired Britain, Admired Britain, distrusted Francedistrusted FranceFavored banking and Favored banking and shipping interestsshipping interestsSupporters: New Supporters: New England and Wealthy England and Wealthy plantation owners in plantation owners in SouthSouth

Organized by Organized by Jefferson and Jefferson and Madison.Madison.Limit gov’t powerLimit gov’t powerSupported French, Supported French, condemned condemned Washington’s “pro-Washington’s “pro-British policies”British policies”Supporters: Small Supporters: Small farmers, urban farmers, urban workersworkers

The People’s RoleThe People’s Role

Federalists/Hamilton: Didn’t believe in Federalists/Hamilton: Didn’t believe in involvement of the public in politics.involvement of the public in politics.– Should be representative gov’t.Should be representative gov’t.– ““The people are turbulent and changing, they The people are turbulent and changing, they

seldom judge or determine right.”seldom judge or determine right.” Jefferson: Believed liberty would be safe Jefferson: Believed liberty would be safe

only if people participated in gov’t.only if people participated in gov’t.– ““I am not among those who fear the people. I am not among those who fear the people.

They, and not the rich, are our dependents for They, and not the rich, are our dependents for continued freedom.”continued freedom.”

Election of 1796Election of 1796 11stst time candidates sought time candidates sought

office as a member of a office as a member of a party.party.

Caucuses:Caucuses: meetings held meetings held by each party to choose by each party to choose candidates for office.candidates for office.– Federalists – John AdamsFederalists – John Adams– Republicans – Thomas Republicans – Thomas

JeffersonJefferson Former friends => Bitter Former friends => Bitter

rivalsrivals

John Adams won 71 to 68John Adams won 71 to 68– Jefferson became V.P.Jefferson became V.P.

John AdamsJohn Adams XYZ AffairXYZ Affair: Inherited : Inherited

a battle w/ Frencha battle w/ French– French began French began

attacking American attacking American ships after Jay’s treaty.ships after Jay’s treaty.

– French demanded a French demanded a bribe and a loanbribe and a loan

– Adams refused and Adams refused and prepared for warprepared for war Forced Washington to Forced Washington to

come out of retirement come out of retirement to be commanding to be commanding general.general.

Never actually went to Never actually went to war.war.

Adams refused to go to war w/ Adams refused to go to war w/ FrenchFrench– Despite popular opinionDespite popular opinion

Federalists wanted war for patriotism Federalists wanted war for patriotism to help with next election.to help with next election.– Adams struck a peace treaty with Adams struck a peace treaty with

France.France. Knew this would prevent his re-election.Knew this would prevent his re-election. In the best interest of U.S.In the best interest of U.S.