CHAPTER 6
Launching the New Nation
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CHAPTER 6
Section 1 – Washington Heads the New Government
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Washington at the Helm Washington at the Helm • George Washington, commanding
general of Continental Army during Revolution, unanimous choice to be the first president
• Constitution provided strong foundation, but lacked details
• Washington and his admin. would have to figure out a lot on their own
• Needed to figure how to…
1. Raise $ and manage economy
2. Provide for defense
3. Set up a court system
• Set many important precedents
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Washington’s Cabinet Washington’s Cabinet • In 1789 Congress created the
first four executive departments
• The heads of each of these departments made up the first cabinet – a group of advisors to the president
• Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson
• Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton
• Secretary of War Henry Knox
• Attorney General Edmund Randolph
Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton
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Creating the Courts Creating the Courts • Constitution said little
about the structure of the judicial branch
• Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789 to establish structure of the courts
• Established three levels of the Federal Judiciary- Supreme Court- Federal Courts of Appeals- Federal District Court
• Supreme Court included 6 justices including a Chief Justice (today it is 9 justices)
• West v. Barnes - 1791 President Chart
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John Jay John Jay
11stst Chief Justice of Chief Justice of Supreme CourtSupreme Court
Hamilton’s Economic Hamilton’s Economic Plan Plan
• U.S. incurred millions of $ of debt from Revolution – some to other countries, some to U.S. citizens (bonds)
• Hamilton’s Plan Calls For... 1. Fed. government to assume
individual state debts2. Bonds to be repaid in full by
National government3. National Bank
• Many in South opposed plan – felt it favored the North
• Northern and southern states strike a deal – Hamilton’s plan passes and capital moves to Washington D.C.
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Hamilton’s Economic Hamilton’s Economic Plan Plan
• Debate over Hamilton’s plan led to rift in Washington’s cabinet, formation of first political parties
• Hamilton and supporters of plan become Federalists, Jefferson and opponents of plan become Democratic-Republicans
• Biggest divide over National Bank proposal
• Federalists believe Elastic Clause (Art. I Sec. 8) gives Congress power to create bank – “loose” interpretation of Constitution
• Dem-Rep oppose bank, believe in “strict” interpretation
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The Whiskey Rebellion The Whiskey Rebellion • In 1791 Hamilton’s proposed
tax on the manufacture of American whiskey passed in Congress
• Western farmers were outraged by the tax, and in 1794 the Whiskey Rebellion took place in western Pennsylvania
• Washington sent in 13,000 troops to stop the rebellion
• Demonstrates the ability of the new government to enforce federal law
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Federalists Federalists
• Believed in strong central government
• Economy based on business/industry
• Loose interpretation of Constitution
• Led by Hamilton, John Adams
• Most from Northeast
• Bankers, artisans, merchants
• Supported English
• Believed in states’ rights
• Economy based on farming – agrarianism
• Strict interpretation of Constitution
• Led by Jefferson, Madison
• Most from South and West
• Farmers
• Support French
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Democratic Democratic Republicans Republicans
Hamiltonian vs. Jeffersonian
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Manufacturing NationManufacturing Nation
Trinity Church Trinity Church
New York, NYNew York, NY
Citizen FarmerCitizen Farmer
Monticello Monticello
Charlottesville, VACharlottesville, VA
Washington’s Foreign Washington’s Foreign PolicyPolicy
• French Revolution begins in 1789
• Radicals gain control, Britain and France go to war again in 1792
• Washington issues proclamation of neutrality
Presidents Chart
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Jay’s Treaty Jay’s Treaty • Britain began seizing
American ships, inciting Native Americans
• Washington sends John Jay to Britain in attempt to avoid war
• GB removed troops in NW Terr., settled border disputes – no discussion of impressment or innocent bystanders during war
• Republicans unhappy with treaty, but Washington ratifies – prevents war with GB
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Conflict with Native Conflict with Native Americans Americans
• Indian Confederacy forms in Northwest Territory led by Chief Little Turtle
• Washington sends Gen. “Mad Anthony” Wayne to put down resistance
• Wayne defeats Native Americans at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in southern Ohio
• Ended resistance in Northwest Territory
Presidents Chart
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Election of 1796 Election of 1796
• After 2 terms, Washington decides step down and retire
• In his famous Farewell Address to the American people, he warns against sectionalism, political parties, and foreign alliances
Presidents Chart
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