George Washington

Domestic Policy Issues & Policies of the Early PresidentsProblems Faced By AII the Early Leaders of Our Country

George Washington • Set precedent (example) for others to follow • Ex. of precedent was establishing the Presidential cabinet • Known as the “Father of our country and possessed: • Honesty • Inspiration • Practicality

George Washington • Careful not to overstep powers given by the Constitution • Closely followed Article II’ description of a president's role • Enforced national described in Article II when he put down the Whiskey Rebellion

George Washington • Emphasized staying neutral when dealing with France & Britain in his “Farewell Address” • Also urged Americans to practice “unity at home…neutrality abroad” • Believed we couldn’t be independent if we had ties to other nations • U.S. attempted to remain neutral through 19th century

George Washington • Judiciary Act was passed during Washington’s term • Constitution called for national court system headed by Supreme Court and lower courts • It didn’t explain how the two would relate

George Washington • Supported Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan, which called for: • Protective tariffs to help our home industry compete with foreign industry. • Lower other kinds of tariffs to keep money in the pockets of our people to spend • Creation of national bank (loose interpretation of the Constitution based on the "elastic clause") • Federalists and anti-federalists had developed into opposing groups calling themselves the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans • Washington feared U.S. government was going to split and fall apart

Beginning of Political Parties • Political parties developed due disagreements over the role/strength of the national government • Alexander Hamilton • Led the Federalists • supported John Adams for the next president • James Madison & Thomas Jefferson • Led the Democratic-Republicans • supported Jefferson for president.

Beginning of Political Parties • Federalist beliefs: • Economy based on industry and business (much of their support came from Northern merchants and industry) • Supported a strong federal government • Supported the creation of a national bank

Beginning of Political Parties • Democratic-Republican beliefs: • An economy based on farming and agriculture. • Stronger state governments • State banks rather than a national bank they thought unconstitutional.

John Adams • Adams was vice-president under Washington and then becomes our 2nd president. • Alexander Hamilton & Federalists supported JohnAdams. • Adams faced foreign affairs problems • Due to the U.S. being affected by the war between France and Britain

John Adams • Was hard for the U.S. to remain neutral • France expected the U.S. to help them since they aided U.S. during the Revolutionary War • U.S. wanted to stay on good terms with Britain (Britain was an important trading partner)

John Adams • Both England and France captured U.S. ships • This interfered with trade. • Federalists sided with Britain • Democratic-Republicans with France. • Some, esp. the Federalists, begin to fear that France was going to try to undermine U.S. government by getting French immigrants involved in U.S. political system.

John Adams • As a result John Adams supported The Alien and Sedition Acts passed by Congress. • Alien Act required a longer time for immigrants to become citizens and to participate in government. • Sedition Act was politically aimed at the Democratic-Republicans who spoke against Adams and other • Sedition Act made it against the law to criticize the president and other high officials.

John Adams • Sedition Actviolated the first amendment (freedom of speech) • Kentucky and Virginia nullified Alien & Sedition Acts • Said it was the right of a state to follow or nullify a federal law • Depending on whether it violated a state's rights.

Thomas Jefferson • Tied with Aron Burr on ballot for president (both were Democratic-Republicans) • Supported economy based on agriculture • Opposed national bank • Cut size of army and navy to save government money • Cut all taxes except import taxes (customs duties).

Thomas Jefferson • Marbury v Madison case happened under his term • France acquired New Orleans & land west of the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains from Spain • 1803 (Louisiana Purchase) • U.S. offered to buy the land • France decided to sell the entire Louisiana Territory for just $15 million

Thomas Jefferson • Jefferson sent Lewis & Clark leave St.Louis, Missouri and explore the Louisiana Purchase • Wanted to know if there was an all-water route to Pacific • Sacagawea, a Shoshone woman, serves as an essential part of the expedition

Thomas Jefferson • As Britain and France continued to interfere with American trade as their war waged on • British begin to kidnap (impressment) American sailors to serve in the British navy • Congress passed the Embargo Act in 1807, which prohibited trade with all foreign countries (espintended to hurt the British economy) • Backfired and hurt the U.S. economy more than any.

James Madison • James Madison, • Democratic-Republican, • Was supported by Thomas Jefferson to become our 4th president. • stood only 5'4" • Was married to Dolly Madison, who became a very popular first lady

James Madison • England continued impressment of U.S. sailors and interference with U.S. shipping • British supported Indian resistance on the frontier • War Hawks = Americans who supported declaring war against Britain. • They also supported taking Canada • British ended their war with France and turned all attention to attacking the U.S.

James Madison • They attacked Washington D.C. and set fire to many public buildings • Including White House and capital building. • Dolly Madison saved a famous painting of George Washington when she fled the White House just before the British burned it down • The British tried and failed to take Ft. McHenry at Baltimore • Francis Scott Key wrote the poem that became “The Star Spangled Banner” while watching this

James Madison • Andrew Jackson had gained military success fighting the Indians (Red Stick Confederacy) on the frontier. • Jackson successfully defended New Orleans when British attacked • This made him a national hero • Since Britain was no longer fighting France, the need to capture U.S. ships and impress sailors was gone

James Madison • Treaty of Ghent brought peace between the U.S. and Britain with no clear winner • As a result of the War of 1812, the United States was viewed as being the leader of the Western Hemisphere • It ended the threat from Britain for good.

James Monroe • Issued the “Monroe Doctrine” • Doctrine basically said that America would not get involved in European affairs and • Also that America wouldn’t allow European countries to create any new colonies in North or South America.

James Monroe • Foreign policy under Monroe said the U.S. would resist any nation attempting to interfere in the affairs of nations in the Western Hemisphere • This held true for nearly I00 years. • U.S. acquired Florida from Spain. • Which became a U.S. territory (stage before becoming a state). • No one ran against James Monroe for his 2nd term • This was called the Era of Good Feelings

George Washington