The First Constitutional Government April 30, 1789
Standard SSUSH6: Analyze the challenges faced by the first Presidents and how they responded.
Washington s Cabinet Washington was sworn in on Wall Street, NYC, the temporary capital. John Adams was elected Vice President. Thomas Jefferson was made Secretary of State. Alexander Hamilton was made Secretary of the Treasury. Never has a ruler reigned more completely in the hearts of his subjects than did Washington.
Political Parties Form The Democratic Republicans believed in a weak national government, states rights, and strict construction. Supporters were rural, and less wealthy. The Federalists believed in a strong national government, and loose construction. Supporters were often citydwellers and more wealthy.
All of the following were characteristics of the Democratic-Republicans, EXCEPT... A.) they tended to support a weak central government. B.) they enjoyed the support of Thomas Jefferson. C.) they were mainly supported by wealthy Americans. D.) many of their supporters were farmers.
Which of the following individuals would MOST LIKELY have been a supporter of the Federalist Party? A.) a farmer. B.) a soldier. C.) a banker. D.) a blacksmith.
Unpaid Debts During the Revolutionary War, the states had had to borrow large amounts of MONEY That now needed to be repaid. As Secretary of the Treasury, it was Alexander Hamilton s responsibility to develop a PLAN The plan involved TWO new taxes.
New Taxes 1. The first tax was a new TARIFF a tax on imports. 2. The second was a tax on WHISKEY. Whiskey was TREMENDOUSLY important to citizens living along the western frontier Because it was one of the few things that could be shipped for long distances without spoiling.
Which political party would have been SUPPORTIVE of Hamilton's plan to tax whiskey? A.) the Federalist Party. B.) the Democratic Republican Party.
The Whiskey Rebellion In 1794, a region in western Pennsylvania REVOLTED over the whiskey tax Rebels began closing down court houses and attacking tax collectors. Alexander Hamilton argued that this was an opportunity for the US to display its NEW POWER George Washington gathered an army of 12,000 men and led them into western Pennsylvania. The rebellion collapsed And Americans were greatly impressed by the government s tough response.
The MOST IMPORTANT result of the Whiskey Rebellion was that... A.) the tax on whiskey was eliminated. B.) it led to the end of George Washington's Presidency. C.) it led to the election of John Adams as US President. D.) the new US government was able to demonstrate its strength.
Foreign Policy: Nonintervention At the height of the Revolutionary War, American and France had signed a Treaty of Alliance In which they each PROMISED to fight for each other if either one became involved in a war. In 1794, Britain and France WENT TO WAR And despite our agreement with France, we decided to remain NEUTRAL Many people viewed the decision as a BETRAYAL of the French However, George Washington believed the US was too NEW and FRAGILE to become involved in a world war.
Washington s Farewell Address Sick of politics, Washington refused a third term. In his farewell speech he warned against the two-party system. And urged the US to stay neutral in world affairs And to AVOID FOREIGN ALLIANCES. John Adams (a Federalist) is later elected President and Thomas Jefferson becomes Vice President.
George Washington's farewell address led to a long period of US "isolationism". Based upon your knowledge of the address, which of the following is the BEST description of isolationism? A.) a foreign policy wherein a nation seeks to establish as many foreign allies as possible. B.) a foreign policy wherein a nation seeks to achieve military domination over other countries. C.) a foreign policy wherein a nation seeks to become deeply educated about its foreign neighbors. D.) a foreign policy wherein a nation avoids becoming involved in the business of other countries.
The Adams Administration John Adams ran against Thomas Jefferson in the election of 1796 Adams won. Jefferson would be the Vice President. His administration was plagued with conflicts with France and England, which hurt the economy. The Federalist-controlled Congress passed the Alien-Sedition Acts. These acts changed citizenship requirements and limited freedom of speech and of the press. The true meaning behind these laws was to discourage criticism of the Federalist Party by the Democratic- Republicans. These laws hurt Adams chance of winning a second term.
George Washington's farewell address... A.) influenced John Adams in his decision to support war with France. B.) caused the US to become active in foreign affairs. C.) helped convince Adams to seek peace with France. D.) led to the US' decision to launch an invasion of Canada.