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The Precedents (and Problems) of Washington ’ s Administration (1789-1796)

The Precedents (and Problems) of Washington ’ s Administration (1789-1796). Washington Heads the New Government. Washington faced many challenges when he accepted the nomination/election as the first President of the United States: Four problems included:

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The Precedents (and Problems) of Washington ’ s Administration (1789-1796)

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  1. The Precedents (and Problems) of Washington’s Administration (1789-1796)

  2. Washington Heads the New Government Washington faced many challenges when he accepted the nomination/election as the first President of the United States: Four problems included: 1) An “unfinished” Constitution 2) National Debt ($54 million dollars) 3) Foreign Conflicts (British/Spanish/French Revolution 4) No Precedents “We are in a wilderness without a single footstep to guide us”James Madison

  3. “Unfinished” Constitution : 1) Completing the Article III At Washington’s request, Congress created the Judiciary Act of 1789 • Determined the number of Justices in Supreme Court (1 chief justice and 5 associate judges) • Created inferior courts (3 circuit and 13 district courts) • Established process to review state court decisions (Appellate Jurisdiction)

  4. “Unfinished” Constitution : 2) Identifying the “Heads of Executive Departments” Also, in 1789, Congress created four Executive Departments: State Department – handles foreign policy Treasury Department – handles money and finances War Department – handles national defense Department of Justice – handles legal issues

  5. The Executive Branch President – George Washington Vice-President – John Adams Secretary of State – Thomas Jefferson Secretary of Treasury – Alexander Hamilton Secretary of War – Henry Knox Attorney General – Edmund Randolph

  6. Birth of “two-party politics” Thomas Jefferson (VA) Alexander Hamilton (NY) Concentrated power in central gov’t. Believed the educated, wealthy class in cities could govern best. Favored a balanced economy of farming, manufacturing, trade and banking. Believed in expansive government (loose interpretation of the Constitution) Followers became known as the Federalist Party • Favored stronger power in state gov’ts. • Trusted the “good sense” of the common people and farmers. • Disliked banks and merchants preferred economy based on agriculture. • Believed in a limited government (strict interpretation of the Constitution) • Followers became known as the Republican Party

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