George Washington helped define the role of President in several key ways. As the first President, he established important precedents like creating the first Cabinet departments, setting up the Supreme Court, and demonstrating the strength of the federal government by suppressing the Whiskey Rebellion. Washington also set an example by choosing to serve only two terms and warning against political parties in his Farewell Address. His decisions around neutrality in foreign conflicts and avoiding long-term alliances helped isolate the young nation from problems in Europe. Many of the precedents Washington set, such as the two-term limit and Cabinet system, are still visible in the presidency today.

1. Early Republic
1790 - 1828

2. A few questions…
• How do you know what to do as
President, when there has never been a
president?
• What will the future of the United States
be under the new Constitution?
• What challenges lay ahead for the New
Nation?
Essential Question:
How did Washington set the example of
President, and what did concerns did he
have about the future of the country?

4. George Washington
• As the first President, George
Washington helped to define what it
meant to be president
• He set many PRECEDENTS that future
presidents would follow for years to
come

5. • Department of Treasury
– Alexander Hamilton
• State Department
– Thomas Jefferson
• War Department
– Henry Knox
Alexander Hamilton
Henry
Knox
Thomas Jefferson
Creating a Cabinet

6. Setting up the Judicial Branch
• Washington set up the 1st Supreme
Court
– 1 Chief Justice and 5 Associate
Justices
– John Jay is first Chief Justice

7. Whisky Rebellion of 1794
• Congress passed a tax on
whiskey.
• Farmers in Pennsylvania rebelled
and Washington sends a militia
to stop rebellion and enforce the
tax.
• Washington showed the strength
of the Federal government
Demonstrating the strength of the
Federal Government

8. Government helping to
strengthen the Economy
• Alexander Hamilton
developed a 4-part
plan to boost the
Economy.
• This was the first time
the Federal
government stepped
in to help the economy

9. Key Points Questions and Summary
Page 1
1. How will creating a Cabinet help
President Washington do his job and
Chief Executive?
2. Have you ever heard of the US Army
being used to make sure people pay
their taxes? Why would Washington take
these extreme steps?

10. Establishing Foreign Policy
• In 1793, France and Great Britain go to
war.
• France expects US to ally with them
since they helped us fight against the
British in the American Revolution
Vs.
Again!

11. Washington chooses NEUTRALITY
• Washington decided to remain neutral (not to
take sides) to keep America Isolated from the
problems of Europe.
• He declares that Americans will not help either
France or Britain

12. Washington Only
Serves Two Terms
• Washington decided to only
serve two terms and then step
away to allow another to
serve.
• He delivered a speech giving
advise and warning to the
incoming president and to the
American People known as
his “Farewell Address”

13. • Advises the U.S. not to
have alliances with other
countries that might lead
the U.S. into war.
• Warns against political
parties - they only lead
to “jealousies and false
alarms”
Washington’s Farewell Address
Save the Drama,
fo’ yo’ Mama!

14. Key Points Questions and Summary
Page 2
3. Explain why Washington chose neutrality
as a foreign policy? Was it the best
choice? Why or why not?
4. How would the young United States
benefit from avoiding becoming involved
with the problems in Europe?

15. Summary Response:
How did Washington help to define the role
of President? How are some of the
precedents he set still visible today?

16. Alexander
Hamilton's
Economic
Plan
Step 1: Repay the Debt
Step 2: National Bank
Step 3: Whiskey Tax
Step 4: Protective Tariff

17. Alexander
Hamilton's
Economic
Plan
Step 1: Repay the Debt
Pay off the Federal
Debt which includes
taking on all states’
debt to improve US
credit
Step 2: National Bank
Step 3: Whiskey Tax
Step 4: Protective Tariff

18. Alexander
Hamilton's
Economic
Plan
Step 1: Repay the Debt
Pay off the Federal
Debt which includes
taking on all states’
debt to improve US
credit
Step 2: National Bank
Create a US Bank to
hold tax money,
produce a US Dollar,
and make loans
Step 3: Whiskey Tax
Step 4: Protective Tariff

19. Alexander
Hamilton's
Economic
Plan
Step 1: Repay the Debt
Pay off the Federal
Debt which includes
taking on all states’
debt to improve US
credit
Step 2: National Bank
Create a US Bank to
hold tax money,
produce a US Dollar,
and make loans
Step 3: Whiskey Tax
Tax whiskey and other
luxury items to raise
money to pay off debt
Step 4: Protective Tariff

20. Alexander
Hmilton's
Economic
Plan
Step 1: Repay the Debt
Pay off the Federal
Debt which includes
taking on all states’
debt to improve US
credit
Step 2: National Bank
Create a US Bank to
hold tax money,
produce a US Dollar,
and make loans
Step 3: Whiskey Tax
Tax whiskey and other
luxury items to raise
money to pay off debt
Step 4: Protective Tariff
Create a high TARIFF to
protect American
manufacturers from
foreign competition