The Young Republic, 1789-1800

George Washington & America’s 1st Political Parties

The Importance of James Madison“Father of the Constitution;” drafted the Bill of Rights; was the leader of Congress who helped create the 1st federal taxes, depts & courts; &

will serve as the 4th president

Washington as President The unanimous choice for the

leader of the infant republic was George Washington

He established many precedents to make the presidency:–Created the 1st cabinet–Delivering an inaugural address–The title “Mr. President”

Washington as PresidentWashington’s 1st term as president

was defined by domestic policydomestic policy:–He helped define a strong &

active presidency–Appointed strong, able leaders

to cabinet posts–Focused on the U.S. economy–Traveled to every state to “show

the people” their national gov’t

Washington’s Cabinet Henry Knox, Secretary of War

Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of Treasury

Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State

George Washington, President

Edmund Randolph, Attorney General

Washington acted as president as he did as a military general: he surrounded himself with capable subordinates, listened to their advice,

then made the final decision

Hamilton & Jefferson proved to be his most capable cabinet members but were also the

most divisive because they had vastly different views on the role of gov’t for the new nation

Alexander HamiltonHamilton believed a strong central

gov’t was best for America:–He wanted the U.S. to grow as

an industrial power with less dependency on Europe

–He wanted the U.S. economy to mirror the English economy

–He feared democracy would lead to anarchy; power should be in hands of wealthy citizens

As Sec of Treasury, Hamilton shaped the economy of the new nation

Thomas JeffersonJefferson believed that a limited

gov’t would preserve liberty:–He saw the U.S. as an agrarian

nation with active foreign trade to buy manufactured goods

–He trusted the common people over the elitist aristocracy

–He favored close ties with France, especially when the French Revolution began