George Washington

Before he was President: • He was a military hero during the

American Revolution.• He was the leader of the

Constitutional Convention.–Sided with the Federalists in the

ratification process.

Presidential Firsts:• Unanimously elected by the

Electoral College.• Created an advisory body called the

cabinet- every President since has had one.• Established a two-term precedent

(no other president attempted a third until Roosevelt).

Key People:• Vice President: John Adams: trusted

by Washington, would become the 2nd president.

• Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson: responsible for establishing relationships with Great Britain and France, helped Washington prioritize domestic legislation, supported Anti-Federalist beliefs.

• Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton: shared Federalists beliefs, developed an economic plan that saved the nation from financial ruin, established the US National Bank.

Notable Accomplishments:

• Federal Judiciary Act:1798- created the various courts of the federal court system (remember, only the court created by the Constitution was the Supreme Court).

• Whisky Rebellion: an excise tax was placed on whiskey, which upset Pennsylvania farmers. They protested against the tax and even attacked customs agents. Washington sent in the US Military to squash the rebellion. –The power of the federal government

was tested and proven to be successful!!!!!!

Foreign Policy:• Encouraged international trade with

all nations.• Proclamation of Neutrality: Would

not choose sides between England & France (they were at war with each other).

• Jay’s Treaty: agreement with Great Britain in which the British troops withdrew their soldiers from the Northwest Territory, war debt from the American Revolution was “negotiated”, and trade agreements were established.

Farwell Address:• Washington gave a speech at the end of

his second term:–Encouraged Americans to be good

citizens. –Warned against political parties (he saw

the problems b/t Jefferson & Hamilton).–Warned against foreign alliances- stay

out of European conflicts.