What challenges do Washington & Adams face as President?

Launching the New Nation

1792 Election Results

1792 Election Results

Washington

Washington’s Administration (1789-1797) Vice president (2nd place finisher) -

John Adams

2. Secretary of State (foreign affairs) –

Thomas Jefferson

3. Secretary of Treasury (manage finances)– Alexander Hamilton

4. Secretary of War (military matters) –

Henry Knox

• Washington chooses advisors (Cabinet)

The Supreme Court is Established• Judiciary Act of 1789 estab. the Supreme Court, federal circuit & district courts

•allowed state court decisions to be appealed to a federal court

Hamilton v. Jefferson

Hamilton Jefferson

Political Party Federalist Democratic-Republican

Major Writing Federalist Papers Declaration of Independence

National Bank Favored – Fed gov will fund & print money

Claimed it to be unconstitutional

Economic Theory shipping & manufacturing – pay Fed & State debts

Agricultural, pay only fed debt

Fears Mob rule Absolute power

Supporters N., Wealthy/Mid class S., Farmers, poor

Hamilton’s Economic Plan Wanted National Bank

• Dem-Reps: not in constitution!• Passes Congress w/ a 20-year charter

• Fed Gov & investors would fund the bank, which would issue paper money & collect taxes. US can pay off its debts

The Whiskey Rebellion, 1794

Hamilton pushes a tax on Whiskey

Whiskey producers in W. Penn refuse to pay, attack tax collectors Washington leads 13K troops to end the conflict

Sig: Fed Gov has authority to collect taxes

International Issues

2. Pinckney’s Treaty (1795) Spain agrees to give up all land east of Mississippi, except

Florida, and access to Mississippi River + New Orleans

Let’s stay neutral!

Help us!

No! Help us!

1. 1793: Britain & France at war

•Dem-Reps say join w/ France, Feds say join w/ Britain, Washington keeps US neutral

End of an era

Washington gives up Presidency after two terms

Election of John Adams

•1796: Adams barely beats Jefferson

AdamsAdams

JeffersonJefferson

Frees all of his slaves upon death (shortly after leaving office) Who replaces Washington? Adams or Jefferson

Alien & Sedition Acts Immigrants favor Dem-Reps, critical of Adams

•Jefferson & Madison say Adams misusing his power

•VA & KY Resolutions nullify Alien and Sedition Acts (against 1st Amend)

•Can states use nullification against unconstitutional federal laws??

Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions

Adams has Congress pass new laws: 1) Citizenship raised from 5 to 14 years 2) Jailing/deportation of “undesirables”