George Washington was the first president of the United States and established important precedents for the office. The document discusses Washington's service during the Revolutionary War and asks what five questions an essay about his life should answer. It also discusses conflicts between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson that resulted in the emergence of two political parties with differing views on economic policy, foreign policy, and the interpretation of the Constitution.

1. Brain Quest
 Define:
 Jay’s Treaty
 Proclamation of Neutrality
 Why is George Washington a precedent president?
Challenge Question:
A newspaper account of George Washington’s inauguration
referred to him as “the savior of his country.” That was a
reference to Washington’s service as commander in chief
during the Revolutionary War. If you were to begin reading an
essay about the life of George Washington, list five questions
you would like it to answer.
Objective (I Can…)
Explain how the conflicts between TJ and AH resulted in the
emergence of two political parties by exploring their differences
through the grudge match activity.

2. Washington’s
Presidency
The Precedent President
8.36 Explain the strict versus loose interpretation of the Constitution
and how the conflicts between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander
Hamilton resulted in the emergence of two political parties by
analyzing their views of foreign policy, economic policy (including the
National Bank), funding, and assumption of the revolutionary debt.

3. Hamilton v. Jefferson
 Write what you know about Alexander Hamilton and
Thomas Jefferson.

4. National Debt
4 Trillion Dollars!!!!
How much is a Trillion???
- A million seconds is 12 days
- A trillion seconds is almost 32,000 years!!
 As a new nation, some of our biggest problems
were economic. The state and national
governments had run up huge debts during the
Revolutionary war. Alexander Hamilton (Sec. of
Treasury) developed a plan for the nation’s
economic problem.

5. Jefferson vs Hamilton: Pages 240 –
241 4 Questions:
1. Who believed in a strong federal government?
2. Who wanted the country to focus on manufacturing and
business?
3. What did Jefferson believe the United States should focus
on?
4. Which man’s vision for the United States won out?

6. Memory Help:
• Hamilton Fed on Big Burritos
Federalists British Business/Manufacturing (factories)
• Jefferson Danced Really Funky.
Democrat- Republican France & Farming

7. Hamilton and Jefferson: Differing Views
Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson
• Favored trade,
manufacturing and cities
• Believed that the federal
government should have more
power than the states
• Believed in a loose
interpretation of the
Constitution
• was pro-British
• Favored farmers and rural
communities
• Believed that states should
have more power than the
federal government (state’s
rights)
• Believed in a strict
interpretation of the
Constitution
• was pro-French

8. Grudge Match
 Complete the activity with your partner

9. Extended Writing
 Prompt: Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton had
conflicting ideas on the nature and purpose of government.
Although Hamilton and Jefferson were two great leaders in
United States history, they both had very different views of
government and of the economy.
 Which viewpoint was the best for the country in the early
1800s?
 Write a minimum of one paragraph