NotesCh.8Sec.1
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Transcript NotesCh.8Sec.1
The First President
Chapter 8, Section 1
Key Terms:
Precedent
National Debt
Speculator
Tariff
Cabinet
Bond
Unconstitutional
President Washington
57-year-old George Washington looked for
quiet retirement, but citizens elected him
1st ever President.
Took Oath of Office April 30, 1789 in ______.
___________________ was Vice-President.
Many Americans feared President would try
to become king (trusted Washington).
Washington knew of difficulties he faced.
– Precedents he established would shape future of
U.S.
– Precedent—___________________________.
Washington & new Congress made decisions
about structure of govt.
President Washington and First
Congress
Const. gave Congress power to create executive depts., but
didn’t state if dept. heads reported to Congress or Pres.
1789—Congress set up 3 departments:
State Dept.--________________________________________________.
– Thomas Jefferson
Treasury Dept.--_____________________________________________.
– Alexander Hamilton
War Dept.--_________________________________________________.
– Henry Knox
Also created Attorney General Office and Postmaster General
Attorney General—handle govt.’s legal affairs (Edmund Randolph).
Post. General—direct the postal service.
Met regularly with 3 dept. heads & attorney general.
– Became known as the cabinet =_____________________________.
Congress & the Judiciary Act
Congress divided about how much power president
should have over them.
– Ex.—should pres. be able to replace official that he appointed
and Senate confirmed?
– VP Adams broke tie by voting to allow Pres. authority to remove
cabinet officers w/o Senate approval.
– Created greater separation between leg. & exec. branches.
Judiciary Act:
Congress established federal court system w/_____
district courts and ____circuit courts.
– State laws remained, but federal courts had power to reverse
state decisions.
– Washington nominated _____________ to lead Supreme Court.
Bill of Rights
People insisted guarantees of personal liberties needed
to be included in Constitution.
________________ introduced set of amendments
during first session of Congress.
Congress passed 12 amendments, but states only
ratified ______ of them.
Became known as the _______________________.
Financial Problems
President focused on foreign relations & military matters.
Left economic policy up to Sec. of Tres. = ___________.
National Debt was growing.
Wanted to improve govt.’s financial
reputation and strengthen nation at
same time.
Hamilton’s Plan:
New govt. pay off millions in debts owed
by Confederation govt. to other countries
and individual American citizens.
States fought for independence,
therefore, natl. govt. should pay for their
help.
Also thought federal help for their debts would give states strong
interest in helping out new national government.
Hamilton’s Plan--Opposition
Congress agreed to pay amount owed to other nations, but
Paying off American citizens set off storm of protest!!!
When govt. borrowed money during Rev. War, it issued
bonds.
Bonds—___________________________________________________.
– While waiting for payment, many bond owners sold them for less
than face value.
– They were purchased by ________________ = people who risk
money in order to make a larger profit.
Hamilton proposed that these bonds be paid off at original value.
Opponents felt his plan would make speculators rich.
Original bond owners felt betrayed b/c they lost money by selling bonds,
while new bond owners profited.
– Southern states accumulated more debt than Northern states &
complained they would pay more than their share under his plan.
Compromise!!!
Hamilton agreed to locate nation’s capital in the South.
– Special district would be laid out between _____________ and
_________________, along the Potomac River.
– District became known as ____________________________.
In return, Southerners supported his plan to pay off debts.
Building the Economy
1792—only 8 banks in nation (all established by state govts.).
Hamilton wanted a national bank.
– Madison and Jefferson did not! (said it would benefit the wealthy).
Said it was ________________________.
– Hamilton said even though Const. did not say Congress could create a
bank, they still had power to do so.
President agreed!
Hamilton proposed _________ = ________________________.
Thought it would encourage people to buy American.
Hamilton wanted to create national __________.
Would provide additional funds to operate and make payments on
national debt.
Approved variety of taxes, including: whiskey distilled in U.S.
His economic programs split Congress & nation.
Gave national govt. new financial powers.
Jefferson & Madison had different vision of what America should
become.
Major Financial Political Adversaries