The document discusses the early years of the United States under the Articles of Confederation and George Washington's presidency. Key events include the Treaty of Paris in 1783, state constitutions granting varying rights, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 establishing steps to statehood, and Hamilton's economic plans which divided Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. Washington asserted national authority by suppressing the Whiskey Rebellion and established important precedents as the first president.

1. The New
Nation,
1781-1797:
Confederation
and
Washington

2. Treaty of Paris, 1783

3. State Constitutions
Republicanism
Strong governors w/ veto power
Most: property requirement for
voting, Some: universal white male
suffrage
Most had bills of rights
Many: state-established religions

4. Occupations of State Assemblymen, 1780s

5. State Claims to Western Lands

6. Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Most significant Confederation accomplishment
Steps to statehood:
1. Congress appointed a territorial governor and three judges
2. Pop. 5,000 adult male landowners  territorial legislature
3. 60,000  a state constitutional convention

7. Land Ordinance of 1785

8. The United States in 1787

9. 1. Authority from
citizens
2. Selfless, educated
citizens
The 3. Frequent elections
“Virtuous
Republic” 4. Written Constitution
5. “E Pluribus Unum”
6. women 
“Republican
womanhood”

10. George Washington
1st POTUS
1789 – 1797
President of
precedents

11. 100% of electoral
vote = unanimous!
Why?
Led Continental Army
during the Revolution,
had faith and trust of the
entire nation.

12. Step 1: Pick a Good Title
His Elective Majesty?
His Excellency the
Supreme Commander in Chief?
His High Mightiness,
the President of the United States
and Protector of their Liberties?
His Highness the President
of the United States of America
and Protector of the Rights of the Same?
Mr. President

13. Step 2: Choose a Cabinet
Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Henry
Secretary of State aka Secretary Knox, Secretary of
“the Smooth Talker” of the Treasury War aka
aka “the Money Man” “the Muscle”

14. Step 3: Choose a plan.
Federalists Democratic Republicans
• Led by Hamilton • Led by Jefferson
• Feared anarchy more than • Believed limited government
tyranny preserves liberty
• Elitist, distrusted common • Patrician, trusted the common
man man
• Loose interpretation • Strict interpretation
• Wanted: • Wanted:
o Strong federal government o Weak federal government to
to preserve independence preserve liberty
o National debt as o Against national debt
investment in success
o Strong ties with Britain o Strong ties with France
o US as an industrial, o US as an agrarian nation
mercantile power

15. Hamilton’s Economic Plan
Component Pro Con
A) Federal government US will build credit and Economic elites control
assumes states’ foreign gain legitimacy with nation’s finances
and domestic debt foreign nations
Southern states had
B) sells debt to investors Protects US from foreign already paid their debts;
as government bonds attack felt it unfair to help North
pay theirs
Investors become
stakeholders in federal
government’s success

16. Hamilton’s Economic Plan
Component Arguments For It Arguments Against It
Establish a national bank Issue money; handle Fear of plutocracy – rule
taxes, receipts, and other by the rich
gov. funds.
Is it constitutional?
Investors become
stakeholders in federal
government’s success

17. Hamilton’s Economic Plan
Component Arguments For It Arguments Against It
Tariff (tax on imports) Raise badly-needed Southern states import
money for new more, will pay unfair
government share of taxes
Spur industrial growth by
making US
manufacturing more
competitive against
foreign goods

18. Hamilton’s Economic Plan
Component Arguments For It Arguments Against It
Excise tax on whiskey Sin tax on immoral Targets poor frontier
product farmers who distill corn
into whiskey for
Will raise significant transport
funds

19. Washington vs. the Whiskey Rebellion

20. Judiciary Act of 1789
• Six Supreme Court justices
and 13 districts in 11 states
• Chief Justice = John Jay
• SCOTUS jurisdiction over
cases in which a state was
party
• Appellate jurisdiction over
fed. circuit court and state
courts challenging federal
law

21. French Revolution
• Q: Help France fight
Britain?
• A: Proclamation of
Neutrality, 1793
• “Why … entangle our
peace and prosperity in
the toils of European
ambition …? It is our true
policy to steer clear of
permanent alliances with
any portion of the
foreign world.”
– Farewell Address, 1796

22. Washington’s Foreign Affairs
Treaty With Why Result
Jay’s Treaty Britain Unpaid private debts to Secured NW border,
(1794) Britain  British forts around normalized trade
Great Lakes, impressment of relations with Britain
American sailors
Pinckney's Treaty Spain Spain feared close American- Defined SW border
(1795) British relations with Spanish
territory, opened
Mississippi to trade
Treaty of Greenville coalition of Little Turtle defeated by Gen. Native Americans
(1795) Native “Mad Anthony” Wayne at the ceded Ohio to US
American Battle of Fallen Timbers
tribes

24. Disputed Territorial Claims Between Spain & US, 1783-1796

25. Indian Land Cessions: 1768-1799

26. Washington’s Legacy
1. First cabinet and other
precedents
2. Judiciary Act of 1789
3. Suppressed Whiskey Rebellion
4. Secured borders and foreign
policy of Isolationism
5. Warned against political
parties
6. Established two-term tradition