Washington is elected unanimously as President.

John Adams Vice President

Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State

Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury

Henry Knox Secretary of War

Attorney General Edmond Randolph

John Jay Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Washington sets a standard and tradition for all

other presidents.

Farmers were mad about taxes on whiskey… they had been making it on the side and trading it for

things they needed.

1794 government starts collecting taxes more

regularly and a large mob with swords, guns, and

pitchforks attacked tax collectors and burned

buildings

Washington sent out the army and the rebellion

collapsed

Showed that the National Government would

use force to keep order – citizens had to

change laws peacefully.

Americans want Indian lands between the Appalachian Mtns and the Mississippi River

Americans ignore treaties Washington makes with Native Americans and settle west

The army goes out and defeats over 1,000 Native Americans in Ohio. (Battle of Fallen Timbers)

Treaty of Greenville (1795) Native Americans give up their claims to the land in Ohio

1789 French Revolution – its intense – killing .

South is on French side North on British side Washington declares Neutrality- but some

Americans fight on their own. British attack American ships and force

Americans into the British Navy (impressment)

John Jay 1794- negotiates with the British (these issues plant seeds for the war of 1812)

Pinckney Treaty – with Spain- opened the Mississippi River to American traffic and settled the northern boundary of Florida

Who would you have sided with?

FEDERALISTS DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS

Rule by the wealthy class

Strong federal government

Emphasis on manufacturing

British alliance

Loose interpretation of the

Constitution

Rule by the people

Strong state governments

Emphasis on agriculture

French alliance

Strict interpretation of the

Constitution

OUR FIRST PRESIDENT SET A

PRECEDENT…

SO WHAT HAPPENED IN HIS

PRESIDENCY?

When you’re the first, you kind of set the stage for everyone after you… Even when it comes to something as small as what they should call someone in your position.

Adams wanted the people to call the president… “His Highness the President of the United States.”

They settled on “Mr. President.” Not quite as glamorous, but far more efficient.

Major issue = NATIONAL

DEBT!

What to do? Hamilton has a

plan…

• Federal government should

help pay off state debt

• Pay off bonds at their

original value

• Create a national bank

“What about those of us who have already paid off our state debts? That’s not FAIR!”* – Virginia

“Are you serious?! I sold my bond at a super cheap price to some businessman because I thought it was worthless and y’all would never pay up!”* – Massachusetts Farmer

“The Constitution does NOT say that Congress has the power to create a National Bank!”* – A concerned Democratic-Republican

* Not actual quotes

HOW DID THE CAPITAL END

UP IN WASHINGTON D.C.?

COMPROMISE! Our Founding

Fathers were SO good at it!

• Southerners mostly don’t

like his plan, so he agrees to

move the nation’s capital

south to get their support.

• Washington D.C is moved

very close to Washington’s

home. He liked this idea, too.

“I can save gas and walk to

work!”* – George

* Not an actual quote.

“Observe good faith and justice toward

all nations… Tis our policy to steer clear

of permanent alliances.”

“However [political parties] may now and

then answer popular ends, they are likely

in the course of time… to subvert the

power of the people and to usurp for

themselves the reins of government”

Our 2nd President “His Highness the President of the United

States”/ Mr. President #2

He’s a Federalist, his opponent (Jefferson) is a Democratic-Republican.

Adams won. Jefferson got second place (he lost).

When you lost back then, you got to be the VICE PRESIDENT! Woohoo!

XYZ AFFAIR • A little argument with

France was going on at the time.

• In order to avoid war, Adams sends a delegation to Paris.

• The French foreign minister refused to meet with them and sent 3 suspicious agents (X, Y, and Z) to demand a bribe and a loan.

• The Americans refused. “Not a sixpence!”

Alien and Sedition Acts • Passed by the Federalist-

controlled Congress and signed by the Federalist president, Adams.

• Alien – (immigrants living in the U.S who are not citizens) The president could imprison aliens or send them home if he thought they were dangerous.

• Sedition – (activities aimed at weakening the government) It became a crime to speak, write, or publish “false, scandalous, and malicious” criticisms of the government.