The Federal ists

Lesson 26: 1789-1801

George Washington was elected the first President of the United States in 1789.

John Adams became his vice-president.

Washington was the head of the newly created Executive Branch of the new government. He created departments in his branch to help govern and make decisions.

Thomas Jefferson became the Secretary of State, and dealt with relationships with other countries.

Alexander Hamilton became Secretary of the Treasury, and dealt with the country’s finances.

Henry Knox became the Secretary of War, and dealt with the nation’s defenses.

Edmund Randolph became the Attorney General, and dealt with legal issues involving the U.S.

These men became Washington’s advisors, or cabinet.

These men served at the pleasure of the President, meaning he could remove them if he wished.

http://www.schooltube.com/video/e26fd25dea7154a1d7cc/Washington-Inauguration

George Washington knew that history would remember his presidency.

He set many precedents, or traditions that were followed by presidents long after him.

Washington gave a speech after his inauguration (swearing in).

He created and used the cabinet and its officers.

He also began the tradition of American neutrality in foreign affairs.

Finally, after two terms as President he stepped down and allowed another to take his place.

He also added the phrase “So Help Me God” to the Oath of Office, which all Presidents have

added since.

George Washington was elected President twice and chose not to run for a third

term.

Most people believed he could have been President as

long as he wanted.

Washington set another precedent by giving a Farwell

Address.

In it he urged the United States to stay out of foreign affairs and to avoid political

parties.

Political parties formed after Washington left office.

The split began with Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton within Washington’s cabinet.

Those who supported Washington became known as the Federalists. They wanted a strong national government and usually had more support for the British.

Those who disagreed were called Democratic-Republicans. They wanted stronger state governments and had more sympathy for the French.

Democratic -Republicans believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

Only things actually mentioned in the Constitution should be allowed according to Jefferson and the Democratic Republicans.

Federalists like Hamilton believed that the government had implied powers, or powers that were not forbidden but not mentioned in the Constitution.

The Federalists also didn’t want the people to participate in the government. The Democratic-Republicans thought the people should participate.

Each political party held a meeting called a caucus to pick a nominee for President.

Federalist John Adams and Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson were chosen to run

against each other.

Adams was elected by getting only 3 more votes than Jefferson.

Jefferson was the runner-up and became Vice-President.

This meant that the two most important people in the executive branch would be of different

parties.

Mad that the Americans had made peace with the British, the French began to attack and capture American ships going to

Great Britain.

President Adams sent people to talk to the French, who demanded a bribe in order to even discuss smoothing out

relations.

Calling the French officials who asked for the bribe X, Y, and Z, the incident became known as the XYZ Affair.

President Adams also signed into law the Alien and Sedition Acts.

These were passed to control the many people who lived in the U.S. who were not citizens. Many of them supported the French in their revolution and war against the British even

though the U.S. was neutral.

These laws allowed the President to imprison or deport anyone who seemed dangerous to the United States or its interests.

Some states didn’t think the U.S. government could get rid

of people for saying or believing in certain things.

Virginia and Kentucky decided they would not listen

to the Alien and Sedition Acts, and also said laws that

they felt violated the Constitution could be

nullified, or overturned.

The ability of the states to have authority and make

decisions about the power of the national government is

known as states’ rights.