George Washington & Early American Foreign Policy

Learn about George Washington's foreign policy and the birth of US political parties!

Introduction to George Washington's Presidency Because there had never been a President before, George Washington established many _ for future Presidents to follow. rules laws consequences traditions What is the name of the annual speech that the President gives to Congress and the nation to tell how things are going? Yearly Speech State of the Union Address to Congress Constitution Washington's Foreign Policy[the way we deal with other countries] Excerpt from George Washington's Farewell Address “Foreign alliances[association with another country] might be easy to forge[make]and seem appealing - but such attachments or alliances are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened[knowledgeable]and independent patriot[supporter of America]… The great rule of conduct[behavior] for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our economic relations[trade], to have with them as little political connection as possible beyond that....She[Europe] is engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially not our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to bind ourselves by alliances…” Which foreign policy toward Europe did President George Washington recommend in his Farewell Address? military alliances imperialism internationalism neutrality One reason President George Washington called for a policy of neutrality in the 1790s was to improve his popularity among Federalist voters avoid United States participation in European wars gain support for the development of a United States navy enforce the Treaty of Alliance with France One feature of the foreign policy of President George Washington was that he wanted to favor France in its conflict with Great Britain secure new territory west of the MississippiRiver maintain neutrality during European conflicts seek military alliances with neighboringcountries The Cabinet Traditions followed like laws but are not actual rules are _. precedents bills legislation expressed powers A group of advisors that gives the president advice on specific topics is the _. Congress Cabinet Judicial Branch Commander in Chief The establishment of the president’s cabinet as part of the United States government was the result of a law passed by Congress constitutional amendment precedent started by George Washington ruling of the United States Supreme Court Thomas Jefferson G.W.'s first Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton G.W.'s first Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of State Gives advice on how to deal with foreign nations Secretary of Treasury Gives advice on economy Alexander Hamilton's Financial Plan Alexander Hamilton's Financial Plan Alexander Hamilton established himself as a supporter of strong federal government during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Alexander Hamilton exercised his Federalist[political party that liked a strong US government]beliefs as Secretary of the Treasury when he created a financial plan for the new nation. Hamilton’s plan included establishing the Bank of the United States, producing a national currency, and assuming[taking over]debts from the Revolutionary War, from both the states and the Continental Congress. He also proposed a tariff[tax] on imported goods[goods made in foreign countries] and excise[extra] taxes that would generate revenue at the states’ expense. The controversy over the establishment of the Bank of the United States and the imposition of a federal excise tax was most closely associated with George Washington issuing his Proclamation of Neutrality Alexander Hamilton introducing his financial plan John Adams signing the Alien and Sedition Acts into law Thomas Jefferson supporting the Lewis and Clark expedition Alexander Hamilton believed that creation of the Bank of the United States would help the nation’s economy by loaning money to monopolies prohibiting foreign investment in United States businesses reducing tariffs on foreign imports providing for a stable currency Formation of Political Parties Throughout George Washington’s presidency, important political leaders began to develop conflicting opinions of how Washington and the rest of the national government should utilize their power. These conflicting opinions led to the development of the first political parties. Political parties are groups of people that have similar opinions of how the government should run. Democratic-Republicans The Democratic-Republican political party was mainly supported by farmers and planters. They strongly believed that the power of the United States Government should reside with the people. Therefore, they favored stronger state governments over a stronger national government. Democratic-Republicans believed that the national government should only be able to exercise the powers directly delegated to them. In other words, they believed in a strict interpretation of the government, which allows the national government to only use powers directly written in the Constitution. Federalists On the other hand, the Federalist political party was supported mainly by merchants and manufacturers in cities. Federalists supported a strong national government, led by wealthy and educated individuals. In order to ensure that the national government had enough power to effectively run the government, Federalists supported a loose interpretation of the Constitution. A loose interpretation allowed the government to stretch its powers to make all laws that were “necessary and proper” to carry out its duties. This was known as the elastic clause. Therefore, Federalists supported the national bank because it coincided with the national governments ability to collect taxes and provide for the public welfare of American citizens. During the presidency of George Washington, disagreements between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson over the interpretation of the Constitution contributed to the impeachment of federal judges defeat of the Whiskey Rebellion formation of political parties elimination of the commerce clause Political Parties Sort Federalists led by Hamilton favored a strong national government favored the creation of the national bank supported by merchants and northerners loose constructionists felt that the US government could be flexible with the Constitution and go beyond the powers listed in the Constitution. Democratic-Republicans led by Jefferson favored strong state governments disliked the creation of the national bank supported by farmers and southerners strict constructionists felt that the US government should only be able to do what is written in the US Constitution Who was President during the XYZ Affair? George Washington John Adams Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin What did the French do that angered Americans? Asked for a bribe to leave their trade alone Forced them to fight in the war Asked them to fight in the French Revolution What was the significant outcome to the XYZ Affair? The French left our ships alone Adams showed he was a good President America demanded respect from the countries it encountered.