George Washington was unanimously elected the first President of the United States. His cabinet included Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State and Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of Treasury. Congress established the federal court system and drafted the Bill of Rights. Hamilton implemented a plan to assume state debts and establish the Bank of the United States, despite opposition from Jefferson. Washington's presidency established precedents and dealt with tensions with European powers like France and Great Britain, as well as internal issues such as the Whiskey Rebellion.

1. Launching the new ship of state(1789-1800)

2. The First PresidentGeorge Washington did not seek the presidencyElectoral College unanimously chose him to be presidentJohn Adams became vice presidentGeorge Washington takes the oath of office at Federal Hall in Lower Manhattan, April 30, 1789

3. Washington’s CabinetThomas Jefferson (VA) – Secretary of StateAlexander Hamilton (NY) – Secretary of TreasuryHenry Knox (MA) – Secretary of WarEdmund Randolph (VA) – Attorney General

4. Two More TasksCongress drafted the Bill of RightsPrimary author – James Madison

5. First Amendment – Free speech, press, religion, petition, & assembly

6. Second Amendment – Right to bear armsJames Madison

7. Two More TasksCongress drafted the Bill of RightsProhibited unreasonable searches

8. Protected the rights of the accused

9. Allowed for jury trials

10. No cruel & unusual punishment

11. Reserved powers to the people and the statesJames Madison

12. Two More TasksCongress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789Supreme Court = 6 members

13. Chief Justice = John Jay

14. State Federal District Courts

15. Authorized Supreme Court to review state court decisionsChief Justice John Jay

16. Alexander HamiltonBorn in the West Indies Served as an aide to Washington during the Revolutionary WarHoped to concentrate debt in the national governmentSuccess of large investors world be linked to the success of the national governmentAlexander Hamilton

17. National DebtUS Debt = $54 millionHamilton hoped to pay off foreign debt and have the national government assume state debt

18. Some states (MA) supported the proposal, but others (VA) had already paid their debts

19. Compromise was reached following a meeting with Thomas JeffersonNational DebtCompromise AgreementRepresentatives from the South agreed to assumption of states’ debts by the national government

20. In return, US capital (Washington, DC) would be in the South along the Potomac RiverBank of the United StatesHamilton supported the creation of a national Bank of the United StatesProvide a safe place to deposit the government’s money

21. Help regulate state banksDoes the Constitution give the federal government the power to create a national bank?

22. Jefferson’s ViewStrict InterpretationThe Constitution did not specifically grant Congress the power to create a national bank

23. Instead, this was a power reserved to the statesThomas Jefferson

24. Hamilton’s ViewLoose InterpretationUnder the Elastic Clause, Congress had the power to “make all laws necessary and proper” to carry out its functions

25. Washington agreed and signed the Bank bill into law Alexander Hamilton

26. Whiskey Rebellion (1794)To help raise revenue, the federal government placed an excise tax on whiskeyFarmers in western Pennsylvania protested and intimidated tax collectors

27. Washington led a militia of 13,000 to stop the rebels

28. Demonstrated that the government would not allow for violent resistance to its policiesForeign Relations - FranceThe French Revolution began in 1789 and many Americans, including Thomas Jefferson, rejoicedWhen the Revolution turned violent, war broke out in EuropeShould the United States get involved?

29. FranceEdmond Genet was received as a French diplomatWashington declared American neutrality in the European warCitizen Edmond Genet

30. Foreign Relations – Great BritainStrained RelationsThe British continued to occupy forts in the Northwest Territory

31. Also seized American ships and impressed American sailors into serviceGreat BritainJay’s Treaty (1795)The British agreed to:

32. Evacuate military posts in the West

33. Pay damages for lost cargoes

34. The British did not agree to stop seizing American ships in the futureChief Justice John Jay