Washington's Presidency
What was one of the biggest challenges George Washington faced as the first president?
Figuring out how to make the new government work
What is debt?
Owing money
What did the American Revolution leave the nation with?
Debt
What was the protest against the tax called?
The Whiskey Rebellion
What is the "Necessary and Proper Clause"?
Gives the government power to make and carry out laws
Why was being the first president so difficult?
With no examples to follow, each presidential act set a precedent.
Who was the Secretary of the Treasury?
Alexander Hamilton
What is a "precedent"?
The first example that others may follow
What did Washington recommend regarding the conflict between France and Britain?
Remain neutral
What did Washington write at the end of his second term?
A Farewell Address
What is the "Presidential Cabinet"?
A group of expert advisors who help the president
How did Hamilton want to pay back all national and state debt?
Tariffs (a tax on goods coming in from other countries)
What did the Judiciary Act of 1789 create?
A Federal Court system under the Supreme Court
What are political parties?
Groups with shared beliefs about government
(True or False) The Necessary and Proper Clause lets the president do anything.
False
Why was Washington D.C. chosen as the location for the nation's capital?
States disagreed on the location.
What did Hamilton want to establish?
A national bank
What event in France was influenced by the American Revolution?
The French Revolution
What were the two political parties during Washington's presidency?
Federalists and Democratic-Republicans
(True or False) The Constitution required political parties.
False
In his Farewell Address, Washington warned against "entangling alliances" with foreign nations. What did he mean by this, and how did this advice influence early American foreign policy?
Washington believed that the United States, as a young and developing nation, should avoid permanent alliances with European powers. He felt that getting involved in European conflicts would drain American resources and hinder its growth. This advice led to a policy of neutrality and non-interventionism in foreign affairs, which largely shaped U.S. foreign policy for much of the 19th century.
Explain how Hamilton's financial plan led to the formation of the first political parties.
Hamilton's plan, which included a national bank, assumption of state debts, and tariffs, was controversial. Those who supported Hamilton's vision of a strong central government became known as Federalists. Those who favored states' rights and a more limited federal government, like Thomas Jefferson, opposed his plan and formed the Democratic-Republican party. This disagreement over the role of government and economic policy solidified the two-party system in the U.S.
How did the concept of "civic virtue" influence the decisions and actions of the Founding Fathers?
Civic virtue emphasized the importance of citizens placing the common good above their own self-interest. The Founding Fathers believed that a republic could only succeed if its citizens were informed, engaged, and willing to make sacrifices for the good of the nation. This ideal influenced their decisions to create a government based on representation, checks and balances, and the protection of individual liberties.
How did the Whiskey Rebellion demonstrate the power of the new federal government under the Constitution?
The Whiskey Rebellion was a challenge to the federal government's authority to tax. Washington's response, leading a militia force to suppress the rebellion, showed that the new government, unlike the weak government under the Articles of Confederation, had the power to enforce its laws and maintain order. This event established the federal government's authority and helped solidify its power within the newly formed nation.
Explain how the interpretation (meaning) of the Necessary and Proper Clause has been debated throughout American history.
The Necessary and Proper Clause, also known as the Elastic Clause, grants Congress the power to make laws that are "necessary and proper" for carrying out its enumerated powers. This clause has been 1 interpreted broadly by some, arguing it gives Congress implied powers beyond those explicitly listed in the Constitution. Others have argued for a stricter interpretation, limiting Congress to only those powers specifically stated.