The document provides information on several topics related to the early presidents of the United States: 1) The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established rules for territories to become states and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory. 2) George Washington was the first president and faced challenges including a large national debt and foreign powers occupying U.S. territory. 3) Thomas Jefferson succeeded Washington as president and believed strongly in individual rights, a weak national government, and separation of church and state.

1. The First Presidents
WASHINGTON
ADAMS
JEFFERSON

2. Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was an act passed by Congress in 1787 that
provided rules for how parts of the territory could eventually become states,
and be added to the Union with the same rights and status as already-existing
states.
The ordinance banned slavery in the Northwest Territory effectively making
the Ohio River the boundary between free and slave regions.
The law provided a mechanism for the division of the land into rectangular sections. A method by which new
territories would be admitted to the United States.

3. George Washington
First president of the United States in 1789 and again in 1792. George
Washington had a tremendous amount of work ahead of him once he took
office.
 The country was deep in debt from the American revolution.
 England still occupied forts in the Ohio Valley & Spain controlled the
Mississippi River by occupying New Orleans.

4. New York City
New York City served as the nation's capital for Washington's first year in
office. The government then moved to Philadelphia.

5. Cabinet
A body of department heads who serve as the president's key advisors and/or
representative in specific areas.
• John Adams- Vice President
• Thomas Jefferson- Secretary of State.
• Alexander Hamilton- Secretary of the Treasury.
• John Jay- Chief Justice
• Henry Knox- Secretary of War
Washington's Cabinet
1 - Henry Knox
2 - Thomas Jefferson
3 - Edmund Randolph
4 -Alexander Hamilton
5- George Washington

6. Washington, D.C.
Washington was granted by Congress to select the site for the federal capital.
Washington chose donated land along the Potomac River between Virginia and
Maryland as the nation’s new capital.
The South didn’t want the federal capital located in the North
and the North didn’t want the federal capital located in the
South.
The city would consist of beautiful
walkways, tree lined streets, and
masterfully constructed buildings to
impress foreign dignitaries.
Although construction on the White House
was not completed in time for Washington
to live there during his presidency.

7. Hamilton's Economic Plan
Proposed the federal government take on state debts that were largely due
to the war, place a tax on whiskey, supported tariffs, and established a
National bank.
The war left us in debt. Some states were bankrupt. We
needed one unified currency ... We need a central bank.
Alexander Hamilton
Not everybody was happy with the idea of a
national Bank.
Bank of the U.S.: Chartered by the newly
formed federal government, the bank was
established in Philadelphia in 1791, and was
permitted by the government to issue legal
tender bank notes that could be exchanged for
gold. The bank successfully established a
national currency, but the charter ended in
1811, for economic and political reasons.

8. Whiskey Rebellion (1794)
An organized resistance in 1794, to the *excise tax on whiskey in which federal
revenue officials were tarred and feathered, riots were conducted, and mobs
burned homes of excise inspectors. The federal militia captured many of the
protesters, but most were released.
The Whiskey Rebellion was the first test of the government's constitutional
power to tax.
The whiskey tax was intended to help shift
resources from individuals to national
programs, such as building roads and post
offices, and supporting a western defense.

9. Tariffs
Taxes on imported goods (from other countries.)
*Southerners opposed tariffs.
U.S. Coast Guard enforcing the tariff.
Whewwww… I
hate dem cotton
pickin… No
good…
Yankee…tariffs

10. Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality
Issued by President George Washington on April 22, 1793, the Neutrality
Proclamation stated that the United States would remain a neutral faction in
the war with France against Britain and Spain despite heavy French pressures
to join their forces. Many Americans felt the war to be a violation of their
neutrality.

11. Jay Treaty (1794)
A 1795 treaty between the United States and Great Britain that was to
facilitate ten years of peaceful trade between the United States and Britain.
French officials believed the 1778 alliance with America should be more
important than trading with England. As a result, French ships began to
raid and intercept American ships trading with England.
To Democratic-Republicans, Jay became one of the most hated men
in the United States. He was quoted as saying that he could find his
way across the country by the light of his effigies burning. Jay’s
Treaty would eventually be approved by the Senate.
John Jay’s resignation letter to Washington.
The French were angered by Jay’s Treaty
and began to raid and intercept
American ships trading with England.

12. Federalist Party
The Federalist, led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams supported a
strong national government. “There are two ways to
conquer and enslave a country…
One is by the sword… the
other is by debt.”
John Adams
Alexander Hamilton

13. Democratic-Republicans
Led by Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, the Democratic-Republicans
favored stronger state governments and a weaker national government.
Jeffersonian Republicans are
today’s Democratic Party.

14. Political Parties Divide a New Republic
Within the foundations of our new republic, a two-party system had come to
control United States politics. When Washington announced he would not
seek a third term as president, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson
and their supporters attacked one another and competed to replace him.
Things got so bad that in his farewell address, Washington warned about
the dangers of political parties (factions).

15. Washington’s Farewell Address
• President George Washington gave a farewell address in 1796.
• First- Washington expressed his view that the United States should stay
neutral and avoid permanent alliances with other nations.
• Second- Washington spoke about the dangers of forming political parties.

16. Death of George Washington
No one is quite sure what killed Washington. He was in fine health at age 67
when he contracted hoarseness and a sore throat a few days after riding his
horse around his home, Mt. Vernon during a icy rain.
Washington's Mount Vernon bedroom, the room where
George Washington died in 1799.
A doctor was summoned, but Washington did not wait, ordering an
employee to bleed him. The doctor arrived and, according to the
principles of the day, bled him again. Eventually, Washington
requested no further bleeding be performed, but he was bled again
anyway.
The bleedings inflicted by Washington's doctors hastened his end.
Some 80 ounces of blood were removed in 12 hours (this is .63
gallons or about 35% of all the blood in his body).
Most authorities today believe Washington's final
illness was acute bacterial epiglottises, an infection
of the small tissue flap that plugs the entrance to
the lungs during swallowing. When the epiglottis
swells (as it will do in response to an infection) it
can block airflow into the lungs, an obviously
fatal outcome.

17. Election of 1796
The election of 1796 was a bitter election between John Adams and Thomas
Jefferson, with Adams winning by a small margin.
Ironically his political opponent, Thomas Jefferson was selected as his
Vice-President.
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson

18. The XYZ Affair
When Adams sent a commission to France in 1797 in order to negotiate
problems between the two countries, they were told by three French officials
[known as agents X, Y, Z] that France would only negotiate with the United
States in exchange for $10 million loan to the French government and a $250,000
bribe to each of the French diplomats.
After this, the people were outraged and demanded war with France but Adams
refused and wanted to keep the U.S. out of foreign affairs.
The XYZ Affair resulted
in the US breaking off
relations with France for
a time.

19. The Quasi-War
An undeclared conflict between the United States and France which lasted
from 1798 to 1800. In the conflict, the United States managed to capture
ninety-three French ships while France captured just one U.S. ship.

20. Convention of 1800
Meeting in which France and the United States were able to negotiate some of
their differences, reopen trade, and re-establish diplomatic relations.
The convention also formally ended the US-French alliance that had existed
since the revolution, making the US officially neutral.
I want nothing to do
with a war with the
United States and
agree to stop seizing
American ships. My
intention is to carve an
empire out of my
European enemies.

21. Naturalization Act
Required foreign immigrants to live in the United States for fourteen years
Instead of the previous five year requirement before they could be US citizens.
John Adams was the first President to live in the White House. Adams
was also one of two Presidents to sign the Declaration of Independence,
the other being Thomas Jefferson.

22. Alien Act
The President could expel any foreigner thought to be dangerous to the
country. It also made it harder for immigrants to become citizens.

23. Sedition Act
Citizens could be fined or jailed if they criticized the government or its
officials.
Say
Nothing
See
Nothing
Hear
Nothing
They can’t write that about me…
so what if I’m a Harvard snob
who looks down on people? I’ll
make a law so they can’t print
this stuff anymore.

24. Doctrine of Nullification
Jefferson opposed the Alien and Sedition Acts because he believed that it
violated the First Amendment. He urged states to take action against the acts
by nullifying (canceling) the law passed by the federal government.
Nullify:
The idea that states can
ignore federal laws they
believe are unconstitutional.

25. Election of 1800 (Rematch)
John Adams (Fed) vs. Thomas Jefferson (Rep)
The Federalists nominated John Adams
 Proclaimed Jefferson to be an anarchist, someone who is against any
structure of government.
The Republicans nominated Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr.
 The Republicans accused Adams of wanting to be a king, a huge insult so
soon after the revolution.
•Federalists nominated John Adams

26. Presidency of Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson firmly believed in the Republic and separation of church and state
and placed more emphasis in the common man, brought more simplicity to
government, and repeatedly argued for individual rights.
Consider this: For most of the
people who have been president
of the United States (and there
have been only 43, and they’ve
all been men), that title would be
the highlight of a lifetime, the
accomplishment to be most
proud of, the first thing to
appear on your gravestone. Not
so with Jefferson. He chose three
accomplishments to be recorded
on his tombstone, and being
president didn’t even make the
list.

27. Hamilton-Burr Duel
Hamilton was a Federalist and Burr was a Republican. The men clashed
repeatedly in the political arena. On July 11, 1804, Alexander Hamilton
(former Secretary of the Treasury) and Aaron Burr (Jefferson’s Vice
President) met on the dueling grounds at Weehawken, New Jersey, to duel.
When it was over, Hamilton would be mortally wounded, and Burr would be
wanted for murder.
Burr
Hamilton

28. England and France at War
At first, the European wars had made money for U.S. merchants because the
U.S. sold weapons and supplies to both sides. (The United States didn't care
who won the war as businesses earned huge profits.)
France and England continued to blockade each other’s ports and warned
U.S. ships to stay away because neither France nor England wanted the other
to obtain outside supplies.
Many U.S. ships were impounded (seized). U.S. merchants demanded that the
federal government provide protection.

29. Embargo Act of 1807
Law passed in 1807 that stopped all trade between America and any other
country. The goal was to get Britain and France, who were fighting each
other at the time, to stop restricting American trade. The Act backfired,
and the American people suffered. The Act was ended in 1809.
I know what to do! If we don’t
allow American ships to trade
with anyone, then we can’t be
attacked!
That’s brilliant, but
how are we going to
make a living if we
can’t trade with
anyone?
Oh? I didn’t
think about
that…

30. Non-Intercourse Act of 1809
Jefferson admitted that the Embargo Act was a mistake. In 1809, Congress
replaced it with the Non-Intercourse Act, which allowed Americans to trade
with all nations except England and France.
Like its predecessor, the Embargo Act, it was mostly ineffective and instead
seriously damaged the economy of the United States.

31. Napoleon and the Louisiana Territory
During the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte took control of the weak
French government in 1799. As ruler, he gained control of much of Europe
and forced Spain to cede Louisiana, including New Orleans to France.
Americans feared the establishment of a French empire on their western
border. Certainly a French colony along the Mississippi River would
threaten the safety of the United States.
Napoleon
New Orleans

32. The United States Purchases the Louisiana Territory
President Jefferson hoped Napoleon could be persuaded to sell New Orleans.
In 1803, President Jefferson knowing that Napoleon was at war with
England and needed money solicited Robert Livingston, the American
minister in France, to ask Napoleon if he would sell it.
Napoleon offered not only New Orleans, but also the entire Louisiana
Territory which stretched from the Mississippi River to the Rocky
Mountains and from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada. The price set for both
was $15 million dollars.
The Senate ratified the Louisiana purchase though purchasing the territory was constitutionally illegal and going
beyond Jefferson’s presidential rights.

33. Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Territory
consisting of 868,000
square miles was
purchased from
Napoleon for $15 million
dollars. The best real
estate deal in history,
only $ .03 an acre. It
doubled the size of the
United States and
eventually 13 states
would be formed from it.
When France obtained the territory from Spain, Jefferson’s goal to purchase
the territory was the great port of New Orleans, land West of the Mississippi,
as well as the threat of French invasion. Jefferson obtained the territory for
$15 million.
Louisiana Purchase

34. Lewis and Clark Expedition
Jefferson wanted to know more about this area of North America. He decided to
send Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the region.
They were tasked to:
 Draw maps of the area.
 Collect samples of wildlife, plants, and soil.
 Establish peaceful relationships with all Native Americans encountered along the way.
York accompanied the Lewis and
Clark expedition as a slave to
Clark. He made invaluable
contributions to the expedition on
many occasions. York participated
in the hunts to bring game to the
camp. He helped put up tents,
managed sails, and helped with the
rowing. York was also a curiosity to
the Indians. Most had never seen a
black man. They were intrigued by
his color and there is the story
about a Mandan chief trying to rub
the black off of York's skin. Yet the
Indians loved York. They respected
him. Indian children and women
frequently followed him around
because of his powerful build and
his uniqueness.
York

35. Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition was commissioned by President Thomas
Jefferson shortly after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Their perilous
journey lasted from May 1804 to September 1806. The primary objective was
to explore and map the newly acquired territory, find a practical route across
the Western half of the continent, and establish friendly relations with Native
Americans.
Lewis’ Newfoundland dog named Seaman, eventually
became one of the most famous members of the Lewis
and Clark Expedition. Seaman had proved his worth
over and over throughout the arduous wilderness
journey as a powerful hunter, vigilant watchdog and
devoted companion.
As part of his support for the Lewis and Clark Expedition,
Jefferson authorized peace medals to be given to American
Indian tribal leaders encountered along the journey. By
doing so, Jefferson hoped to promote integration of the
American Indian with American society and secure
westward lands for expansion.

36. Sacajawea
Sacajawea (sak uh juh WEE uh), a young Shoshone woman who was living with
the Mandan tribe. She had been kidnapped from her own tribe several years
before by the Blackfeet Indians.
In the spring of 1805, Sacajawea agreed to go along as guide and interpreter.
Lewis and Clark built canoes and followed the Missouri River until they reached
the Columbia River. On November 7, 1805, Lewis and Clark reached their goal,
the Pacific Ocean. They had traveled 3,000 miles from the Mississippi River to
the Pacific Ocean.
Sacajawea
Lewis wrote in his journal: “Great joy in camp. We are in view
of the Ocean, this great Pacific Ocean which we have been so
long anxious to see.”

38. Lewis and Clark Return
In 1806, Americans happily received the news of the return of Lewis and Clark.
Only one man died on the trip from appendicitis. The explorers brought back
valuable information about the unknown land.

39. The Barbary War
American trading ships ran great risks, especially in the Mediterranean Sea
where the Barbary States located along on the coast of North Africa would attack
American and European ships and tried to force them to pay tribute, or bribe.
The bribe would protect their ships from attack.
The ruler of Tripoli wanted the United States to pay an even bigger bribe. When
Jefferson refused, Tripoli declared war on the United States. In response,
Jefferson ordered American ships to blockade the port of Tripoli.

40. The Barbary War
One of the American ships, the Philadelphia, ran aground near Tripoli. Pirates
boarded the ship. They imprisoned the crew. The pirates planned to use the ship to
attack other American ships.
American sailors quietly reboarded and recaptured the Philadelphia and set it on fire
so the pirates could not use it.

41. The Barbary War
American Marines, marched 500 miles across North Africa to make a surprise
attack on Tripoli.
The war with Tripoli lasted until 1805. In the end, the ruler of Tripoli signed a
treaty promising to leave American ships alone.
We promise to
behave and not
attack anymore
American Ships

42. July 4, 1826
Both Jefferson and Adams died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the
signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Gasp… Uhhh…
That Jefferson
still lives!
Not knowing that Thomas Jefferson had died earlier that morning, Adams succumbs to death cursing
that his political rival still lives.