George Washingtons Presidency How the President was Elected There were up to 8 candidates when the country first started. The candidate that got the most votes was elected President The runner-up, 2 nd place, was elected vice-president Question: What is the flaw in having the 2 nd place finisher as vice-president? Inaugurated Definition to be sworn into and officially take office. An inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. Precedent An action or decision that can be used later on as an example for a similar decision or to justify a similar action Everything George Washington did set a precedent. Question: Why did everything George Washington do set a precedent? Why would future presidents follow the precedent Washington set? Presidential Cabinets Original Washington had 3 cabinets Secretary of War protect America (Henry Knox) Secretary of State work with foreign countries to make America stronger (Thomas Jefferson) Treasury Secretary Pay off Americas debt and make America financially stable (Alexander Hamilton) Cabinets are people who help the President run the county Currently we have 15 cabinets Economic Problems America was severely in debt from the Revolutionary War. The economy was in a deep recession, similar to today, because of the war debt. America must pay off its war debt or Washington feared foreign countries would no longer trade with us. Trade = Money Question: Would you trade with someone who owed you money? Hamiltons Financial Plan Hamilton, Treasury Secretary, came up with a plan to pay off Americas debt. 1. Paying off war debt 2. Raising Government Revenue - Taxes 3. Creating a National Bank Question: Is Hamilton on any American Currency (money)? National Bank A bank makes money using money people have in their bank accounts and then by loaning money to other people and collecting interest. Hamilton said that a National Bank was necessary to make the country financially stable and was possible using implied powers in the constitution Jefferson said that since the Federal Government was not given the power of a National Bank in the constitution enumerated powers it was not legal. Question: Why would disputes happen often over the constitution in the beginning of our country? Disagreements over the Constitution The constitution is an outline of our government. It does not go into specific details about how each branch of government should be run on a day to day basis. The politicians under Washington had to figure out what they could and could not do under the constitution. With the various beliefs the politicians had, disagreements happened. Question: What is something that would help to solve these disputes (hint they were used to convince the American public the Constitution was a good idea)? The Whiskey Rebellion Americans have a deep history of protesting when they disagree with the government. Washington put a tax on Whiskey but not on the raw ingredients for Whiskey. Pennsylvania farmers formed a rebellion and were tarring and feathering the tax collectors. Washington wanted to prove the new American Government was much stronger then the previous government so he sent in the entire US Army to put down the rebellion. The rebellion quickly dispersed as the Army approached without a shot being fired. SW-WS The Whiskey Rebellion was of major significance to America. Washington had proved that the Constitution was much stronger than the Articles of Confederation. This made Americans have more confidence in the young country. SHAYS WEAK WHISKEY STRONG The Indians The Indians were giving Americans problems in the Northwest Territory. Britain was inspiring the Indians to attack the Americans living in the Northwest Territory. The Indians believed that the British would help them fight. They did not. The Indians were defeated and America was free to expand into the Northwest without having to worry about fighting the Indians. Question: Why wouldnt the British help the Indians after inspiring them to fight the Americans? Britain vs. France Britain and France had been fighting for some time when the French asked America for help. Some wanted us to help the French as they helped us in our revolution. Some wanted us to help Britain as they were our number 1 trading partner. Washington thought that the US should remain neutral and not help either side. This is because he felt by choosing sides we would lose a valuable trading partner. Impressment of Sailors Besides the British inspiring the Indians to fight us in the Northwest Territory the British were also impressing sailors. This means that any American ships that were going to France would be stolen, their goods taken to Britain, and the sailors would be forced to join the British Navy. The capturing and enslaving of American sailors made Americans very mad. It also made it less likely that sailors would be willing to sail to France. We needed to trade with France for financial reasons. Eventually this would lead to the War of 1812. Washingtons Farewell Address Washington left office with a Farwell Address, setting a precedent still continued today. Washington warned the country of 3 things: 1. A President should not serve for more than two terms. 2. America should remain neutral in all foreign affairs. 3. America should not only have two political parties (we need to be united) Question: Why would Washington warn about political parties? Agenda- January 28 Washingtons Farewell Address Create your own Farewell Address as George Washington. HW- Finish Chapter 9 Section 3 Worksheet (Parts A and B) Farewell Address Directions: Use the following ideas and any others to better demonstrate what Washington did for the country. Make sure to use the notes from yesterday as well as the information given today: Whiskey Rebellion Industrial Economy Dealing with the Native Americans National Bank Cabinet The ideas of unity and neutrality. Your vision for the future.