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Launching the New Ship of State – The Washington Presidency

Page history last edited by Mr. Hengsterman 2 years, 5 months ago

Launching the New Ship of State – The Washington Presidency [1789]

A series of key policies and precedents under George Washington
provided a legacy of leadership for the young nation. 

 

Historical Context: After the gov’t was all set up, Washington was elected to be the first President. He was cautious, knowing he was setting precedents for the future [ex. the Cabinet, the State of the Union Address, no big title for President, President not using veto power often]. 

 

United States presidential election of 1789 | United States government |  Britannica

https://www.loc.gov/resource/ppmsca.24336/

 

 

Prompt: Analyze the impact of the TWO of the following in helping establish a stable government after the adoption of the US Constitution John Adams, Thomas Jefferson,  George Washington

 

 

george-washington-inaugurated.jpg Washington Takes the Oath
(video clip from HBO's John Adams)

 

 

 

 

"I walk on untrodden ground" GW

 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-trump-administration/the-cabinet/

 

https://u-s-history.com/pages/h723.html

 

 

 

PRECEDENT #1 GW’s Cabinet  : Alexander Hamilton (Treasury), Thomas Jefferson (State), Henry Knox (War), and Edmund Randolph (Attorney General ). These executive department heads were also his chief advisers.

 

 

IMPACT: Alexander Hamilton believed the economic stability of the nation was determined by its industrial might. He created a plan to provide a strong monetary system for merchants, creditors, and manufacturers.

 

 

 

 

Bank of the U.S.

Excise Taxes  

Funding at Par 

Assumption of State Debts 

Tariffs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 #1 Report on Public Credit (1790) – Hamilton proposed that Congress assume state debts, combine them w/the national debt, and redistribute the burden of the debt equally throughout the states. He also wanted to issue new government  securities covering unpaid interest.   Visual Economic Issues

 

#2 The Bank of the United States – Hamilton submitted another report on recommending the chartering of a national bank that would be capitalized at $10 million and would mainly be funded by private investors. The bank would circulate currency and collect and lend $ to the Treasury. But the big question was – did the Constitution allow the creation of the Bank?

 

 

Loose Constructionists. Strict Constructionists
 

HAMILTON said in his Defense of the Constitutionality of the Bank (Feb. 1791): the Congress has all the powers it is not specifically denied so if it doesn’t say you can’t you can! POV of the loose constructionists.

 

 

MADISON (also Jefferson and Randolph) said: no way, if the Constitution doesn’t say you can, you can’t. Besides, the elastic clause only allows for necessary bills, and this is NOT necessary. POV of the strict constructionists.

 

Factions v Political Parties - What is the difference?

 

 

In the end Washington agreed and the bill was passed and helped the economy. This set a precedent for enormous federal powers.

 

The elastic clause provided for passing any laws "necessary and  proper" to carry out the powers vested in the various governmental agencies.” Also known as Congress’ Implied Powers

 

 

 

#3 Report on Manufactures (1791) –  Hamilton's last suggestion, which was to encourage American industry through protective tariffs, was rejected.

 

 

 

 

The Famous Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania (1794)

 George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and the Frontier Rebels Who Challenged America's Newfound Sovereignty 

 

 

 

Pennsylvania Cities And Towns - MapSof.net

 

SOURCE: "Famous Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania",  

 

 

 

 

Historical Context   Part of Hamilton’s financial plan was a tax on Whiskey [to pay for assumption] . Southwestern Pennsylvania backcountry folks were hard hit by Hamilton's excise tax.      
Reactions 

 

“Whiskey Boys” posed a major challenge to the new national government –They torched buildings, tarred & feathered revenue officers, chased gov’t supporters from the region; some talked of secession from U.S. = Tax collections came to a halt.

 

Washington summoned the militia of several states resulting in 13,000-man army. Washington accompanied troops part of the way; Hamilton all the way. When the troops reached the hills of w. Penn., the Whiskey Boys dispersed. Washington later pardoned the two convicted participants to heal the rift.

 

 

Significance 

Federal government showed it could ensure domestic tranquility
Proved that another Shays’-type rebellion could not succeed under the new Constitution.

Jeffersonians condemned the action as a brutal display of force and gained increasingly more support from ordinary farmers.

 

 

Shays Rebellion (1786)  vs The Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

 

 

 

NEXT UP

Laying the Cornerstone of Foreign Policy 1793-1796

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Launching Ship of State WIP

 

 

 

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