Washington's Presidency

Learn about George Washington's first presidency and key government decisions.

Washington Takes OfficeGeorge Washington became America’s first President and John Adams was the first Vice President because he got the electoral most votes in the election. They were inaugurated in New York City, America’s first capital city.What does the word “precedent” mean? The word “precedent” means an example that would become standard practice.Why was the first president and setting a precedent difficult?Being the first president and setting a precedent was difficult because he needed to create a cabinet, needed to know how to act like a President, and fix other issues in the country. Setting up the CourtsCongress passed the Federal Judiciary Act of 1789. This act gave the Supreme Court six members: a Chief Justice and five associate judges. The act also provided for other lower federal courts as well.Who did Washington appoint Chief Justice? Washington appointed John Jay as Chief Justice.What problem between states and the federal government was created by the Federal Judiciary Act?The problem between states and the federal government that was created by the Federal Judiciary Act was how to divide authority between the state and federal courts. Washington's CabinetThe Constitution gave Congress the power to create departments to help the president. These department leaders were called his cabinet and their job was to advise the president.What four departments made up Washington’s cabinet?The four departments that made up Washington’s cabinet was Secretary of State, Secretary of War, Secretary of the Treasury, and Attorney General. Economic ProblemsAlexander Hamilton, America’s Secretary of the Treasury had to straighten out the nation’s debt. The U.S. government needed to pay its war debts to France, the Netherlands, Spain, and merchants and private American citizens. Following the American Revolution, America’s war debt was more than $52,000,000.Most government leaders believed we needed to repay our debts. Why?Most government leaders believed we needed to repay our debts to win the respect of both foreign nations and their own citizens. Hamilton's Financial PlanIn 1790, Hamilton proposed his financial plan to Congress. The plan included the following steps to improve the nation’s finances: 1) paying off all war debts(including state debts); 2) raising government revenues; 3) creating a national bank.Why were some opposed to his plan?Some were opposed to his plan because Southern states had already paid off their debts and didn’t like the idea of helping Northern states pay off their debts.What were the two benefits of tariffs?The two benefits of tariffs were that they raised money for the government and encouraged the growth of American industry. Interpreting the ConstitutionMadison and Jefferson argued that the Constitution did not give the government the power to set up a bank. They believed in the strict construction of the Constitution. They stated that the government has only those powers that the Constitution clearly says it has. Hamilton disagreed.What are the two different ways that you can interpret the Constitution called?Two different ways that you can interpret the constitution is Strict Constructionist or Loose Constructionist. What clause did Hamilton use to justify his position?The clause Hamilton used to justify his position was the “necessary and proper” clause (elastic clause).