How can we successfully lead a new republic?. Unit 6, Journal #2 “We are in a wilderness without a single footstep to guide us” – James Madison 1. What.

“Here Goes Nothing….”How can we successfully lead a new

republic?

Unit 6, Journal #2

“We are in a wilderness without a single footstep to

guide us” – James Madison

1. What does this quote mean to the new nation?

2. What does it mean to George Washington and his new government?

First Electoral CollegeUnanimously voted

president in first presidential ballot of electoral college

Washington received the news on April 16, 1789

Upon hearing the news, Washington wrote…“About ten o’clock I bade adieu to mount Vernon,

to private life, and to domestic felicity (happiness); and with a mind oppressed with

more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express, set out for New York… with the best dispositions (intentions) to render service to my country in obedience to its call, but with less

hope of answering its expectations.”

***How does Washington feel about becoming President? ***

George Washington’s DreamGW had no desire to be president—his original

dream was to settle down at Mt. Vernon

Precedents for the Presidency1. “So Help Me God”

2. “Mr. President”

3. Hire trusted men to Cabinet

4. Neutrality in foreign affairs

5. Two-term Presidency – how it all began

6. Use of military force to settle rebellions

Judiciary Act of 1789One of the first tasks Washington and Congress take on: the

creation of a judicial systemThe Constitution authorized the set-up of a federal court

system, but failed to list the details…..Unanswered questions!!!

What did they do?Created Federal Court SystemOrganized the Supreme Court:

Chief Justice, 5 Associate JudgesState court decisions can be appealedto a federal court when Constitutional issues are raisedSet idea that Federal Laws were “the Supreme Law of the

Land”

Washington Shapes the Executive BranchWhile shaping the Judiciary Branch,

Washington also focuses on creating a sound Executive Branch. Help make policies, carry out laws, etc.

Originally, the Executive Branch= President and Vice President

To help them govern, Congress created three departments: Department of State- foreign affairs

Department of War- military matters

Department of the Treasury- handle finances

Washington Shapes the Executive Branch:Washington’s Cabinet

THOMAS JEFFERSON:

Secretary of State

ALEXANDER HAMILTON:

Secretary of the Treasury

HENRY KNOX:Secretary of War

HAMILTON VS. JEFFERSON

Hamilton vs. JeffersonHamilton and Jefferson were chosen not only

because they were brilliant, but also because they had very different political ideas.

Hamilton Believed in strong central government led by a prosperous, educated upper-class Supported more by the North

Jefferson Distrusted too strong a central government and the wealthy Supported more by the South and the West

HAMILTON• Concentrating power in

federal government; Strong national government

• Fear of mob rule

• Republic of wise elite

• Loose interpretation of Constitution

• Supporters: merchants, manufacturers, landowners, investors, lawyers, clergy

JEFFERSON• Sharing power with state

and local governments; Limited national government

• Fear of absolute power or ruler

• Democracy of virtuous farmers and tradespeople

• Strict interpretation of Constitution

• Supporters: the “plain people”- farmers, tradesmen, etc.

How Does This Play Out?ECONOMICS:

As Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton’s job is to set the nation’s finances in order.

Wants to set up a National Bank

Problems Facing the New Government

1. Repay war debt

2. Gold and silver shortage

3. No place for government to store revenue

4. No place for government to get cheap loans

5. Need to establish an industrial economy

Economic ProblemsRepay war debt-

Many millions of dollars as calculated by Hamilton National Gov’t is responsible for 2/3, States= 1/3 Owed to: Foreign governments, private citizens,

SOLDIERS!

Hamilton’s Solution-Pay off state debts = raise taxesPay off war bonds @ face valuePayoff foreign debt = sell western land

Economic ProblemsGold and Silver ShortageHamilton’s Solution-

Establish a national bank – use paper money

Economic ProblemsNo Place for government to store revenueNo place for government to get cheap loans

Hamilton’s Solution-Establish a National Bank!

Economic ProblemsNeed to establish an industrial economy

Hamilton’s Solution-Tariff on foreign goodsGovernment subsidies for businessesBenefits the wealthy industrialists, not the poor

farmers!

The Opposition: Loose vs. Strict Interpretation

James Madison- A national bank would forge an unhealthy alliance

between the government and wealthy investors/businessesThe Constitution made no provision for this…You can’t

authorize it!

Thomas Jefferson-Believed that manufacturing threatened the values of an

agrarian way of life. Hamilton's vision of America's future challenged ideal of a

nation of farmers, tilling the fields, communing with nature, and maintaining personal freedom through land ownership.

The Bank of the United States

Hamilton convinced Washington and a majority in Congress to accept his plan, and the federal government established the Bank of the United States.