Chapter 10 Section 1 Notes

Laying the Foundations of Government

Chapter 10 Section 1 Terms

Electoral College Precedent Judiciary Act

Choosing the President

Washington was uneasy about being the nation’s leader

Americans looked up to him for his honest and character

In 1789 after the ratification of the Const., the states unanimously elected Washington as president

The electoral college was a group selected by state legislatures to represent the popular vote (although sometimes to the electoral college will vote differently if they think the public chooses poorly)

Republican Motherhood

Abigail Adams wanted women to have a bigger role in government

The idea of a Republican Motherhood said that women needed to teach their children to be good citizens (although education for boys and girls was very different)

Life in the New Republic

The vast majority lived on the countryside as farmers

Cities started to grow through trade and industry

Setting Precedents

The government was in a “experimental” period, because Washington was the first president ever

Precedent- an action or decision that serves as a later example

Washington set almost all of the presidential precedents: two year term, name “Mr. President”, demeanor

Washington’s Cabinet

Washington set up the first executive departments, the leaders of which served in a cabinet to advise him

Jefferson was Sec’y of State Hamilton was Sec’y of Treasury Henry Knox as Sec’y of War

Establishing Federal Courts

Washington also set up the Judicial branch

The Judiciary Act creating a federal court system with three levels: district, appeals, Supreme