Population in 1789

•Nation’s population doubled every 25 years in 1789 (2.8% growth)•Compared to 7% growth

for the US today (doubles in 10 years)•Population was still 90%

rural (did not live in cities).

Washington’s Inauguration

The First Cabinet

• The Constitution did not specifically call for a cabinet.•Washington will create his first cabinet

to streamline communication in the executive branch• First Cabinet members:1. Secretary of State – T. Jefferson2. Secretary of Treasury – A. Hamilton3. Secretary of War – H. Knox

Bill of Rights

• Added to Constitution as part of agreement with Anti-Federalist to ratify the document.• Meant to protect individual liberties against the tyranny of a strong

central government.

1. Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, petition

2. Right to bear arms in militia3. Quartering Troops4. Search and Seizure5. Right to Life, Liberty, Property

6. Due process7. Trial by jury8. Cruel and Unusual Punishment9. Rights not Enumerated10.Reserved/delegated powers

Hamilton’s Economic Plan

• Designed to favor the rich who would support the federal government fiscally and politically• First goal was to improve national credit and restore public

confidence• He did this by having the federal government agree to pay off

the entire federal debt ($54 million) and the state debts ($21.5 million).• Convinced Virginia, who had paid its debts, by giving it the

new federal district.

Hamilton’s Economic Plan

•Hamilton believed that a large “national debt” would bind citizens more closely to the federal government•Planned to use a tariff, a tax on

imported goods, and an excise tax, a tax on goods produced at home, to pay off the national debt.• Excise tax specifically targeted whiskey.

Bank of the United States

• Proposed by Hamilton as a way to stabilize a national currency and make surplus federal funds available to the economy.• Jefferson, a “strict constructionist”, argued

against the bank because the chartering banks was a reserved power (belonged to the states)• Hamilton, a “loose constructionist”, argued

for the bank based on the Elastic Clause• Hamilton wins.