George Washington. Thursday, December 5, 13

Transcription

1 George Washington

2 Background February 22, December 14, 1799 Virginia farmer turned soldier Married to Martha Washington Commander- in- chief of the RevoluDonary War President of the ConsDtuDonal ConvenDon

3 The First President On April 30, 1789, George Washington took the oath of office as the first president of the United States. ARer his inauguradon, he addressed both houses of Congress, asking them to put into place the wise measures on which the success of this government must depend. At Dmes, his hands shook so much, he could hardly read his speech.

4 Setting Precedents Washington s decisions as the first president would be highly regarded by those who followed him. Knowing this, Washington did his best to carry out the ideas and values in the DeclaraDon of Independence and ConsDtuDon. First, he refused a fancy Dtle such as His Excellency that John Adams suggested. Instead, he preferred to be called Mr. President.

5 Executive Departments Unfortunately for Washington, the first Congress was deeply divided on many issues, including determining execudve departments and their powers. Eventually, a few departments were approved and Washington chose men he trusted to lead each; Thomas Jefferson became Secretary of State and Alexander Hamilton became Secretary of the Treasury. These leaders became known as the president s cabinet.

6 Executive Departments Unfortunately for Washington, the first Congress was deeply divided on many issues, including determining execudve departments and their powers. Eventually, a few departments were approved and Washington chose men he trusted to lead each; Thomas Jefferson became Secretary of State and Alexander Hamilton became Secretary of the Treasury. These leaders became known as the president s cabinet.

7 Executive Departments Unfortunately for Washington, the first Congress was deeply divided on many issues, including determining execudve departments and their powers. Eventually, a few departments were approved and Washington chose men he trusted to lead each; Thomas Jefferson became Secretary of State and Alexander Hamilton became Secretary of the Treasury. These leaders became known as the president s cabinet.

8 War Debts The most cridcal problem facing the new government was money. The nadonal treasury was empty and now that Congress had the power to tax, they argued endlessly about what to tax and how much. In 1791, Congress agreed to place an excise tax on whiskey and other luxury goods.

9 Whiskey Rebellion Se`lers living west of the Appalachian Mountains were pardcularly upset by the whiskey tax. It was too expensive for them to haul their grain across the mountains, so they depended on disdlling their wheat into whiskey, which could be shipped more easily. To end the protests, Congress lowered the taxes in Most farmers began to pay up, but the Whiskey Boys of western Pennsylvania sdll refused. Instead, they tarred and feathered tax collectors.

10 Whiskey Rebellion Se`lers living west of the Appalachian Mountains were pardcularly upset by the whiskey tax. It was too expensive for them to haul their grain across the mountains, so they depended on disdlling their wheat into whiskey, which could be shipped more easily. To end the protests, Congress lowered the taxes in Most farmers began to pay up, but the Whiskey Boys of western Pennsylvania sdll refused. Instead, they tarred and feathered tax collectors.

11 Whiskey Rebellion Seeing the rebellion as a threat to the government s authority, Alexander Hamilton convinced Washington to do something. Washington led roughly 13,000 state milida troops across the mountains to crush the rebels. Faced with overwhelming force, the rebellion quickly melted away. Thomas Jefferson felt that sending an army to put to the tax rebels was foolish and violated people s liberdes and tension towards Hamilton rose.

12 Whiskey Rebellion Seeing the rebellion as a threat to the government s authority, Alexander Hamilton convinced Washington to do something. Washington led roughly 13,000 state milida troops across the mountains to crush the rebels. Faced with overwhelming force, the rebellion quickly melted away. Thomas Jefferson felt that sending an army to put to the tax rebels was foolish and violated people s liberdes and tension towards Hamilton rose.

13 French Revolution Meanwhile, tension was also building across the nadon as debate over events in France raged. In 1789, the French people rebelled against their king. They hoped to build a nadon based on Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. ARer three years, France became a republic. This thrilled many Americans, including Jefferson and his followers, who called themselves DemocraDc- Republicans, or just Republicans.

14 French Revolution In Dme, news from France caused supporters of the rebellion to think again. By 1793, the leaders had executed the king and queen and would eventually do the same to 20,000 of wealthy French cidzens. Hamilton and his followers, the Federalists, were appalled by the bloodshed. Being wealthy themselves, they began to wonder if their own future might involve a similar fate.

15 French Revolution In Dme, news from France caused supporters of the rebellion to think again. By 1793, the leaders had executed the king and queen and would eventually do the same to 20,000 of wealthy French cidzens. Hamilton and his followers, the Federalists, were appalled by the bloodshed. Being wealthy themselves, they began to wonder if their own future might involve a similar fate.

16 Citizen Genet In 1793, France went to war against Britain. In April 1793, they sent Edmond CiDzen Genet to recruit American volunteers to a`ack BriDsh ships. He traveled around the country preaching against kings and nobles. Genet was popular with the Republicans and soon, the cheering crowds went to his head. When Washington did not react so enthusiasdcally at their meedng, Genet began to make speeches a`acking the president.

17 Jefferson Steps In Even for Jefferson, who supported the French, Genet s acdons were too much. As Secretary of State, he asked the French government to recall its representadve.

18 Jefferson Steps In Even for Jefferson, who supported the French, Genet s acdons were too much. As Secretary of State, he asked the French government to recall its representadve. Old man Washington is jealous of my success...

19 Jefferson Steps In Even for Jefferson, who supported the French, Genet s acdons were too much. As Secretary of State, he asked the French government to recall its representadve. You re hotheaded, disrespec=ul, and indecent! Old man Washington is jealous of my success...

20 Farewell Address When Washington s first terms was up in 1792, he agreed to second term in part because he was disturbed by the bi`er rivalry developing between Federalists and Republicans. Near the end of the second term, he announced that he would not run again, a precedent that would be followed undl the Before leaving office, Washington prepared a farewell address with an important message.

21 Washington s Words

22 Washington s Words With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and polibcal principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together.

23 Washington s Words With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and polibcal principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together. I have already inbmated to you the danger of parbes in the State...now let me warm you against the baneful effects of the spirit of party.

24 Washington s Words With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and polibcal principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together. I have already inbmated to you the danger of parbes in the State...now let me warm you against the baneful effects of the spirit of party. Observe good faith and jusbce towards all nabons; culbvate peace and harmony with all. It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with the foreign world.

25 Retirement Washington returned to his estate at Mount Vernon, Virginia where he devoted his Dme to his plantadons. Washington died at home on December 14, 1799 at the age of sixty- seven. He had suffered many illnesses throughout his life and his strength had faded. People around the world mourned his death. He is buried in a tomb at Mount Vernon although there was a tomb set up for him in the Capitol as well.

26 Retirement Washington returned to his estate at Mount Vernon, Virginia where he devoted his Dme to his plantadons. Washington died at home on December 14, 1799 at the age of sixty- seven. He had suffered many illnesses throughout his life and his strength had faded. People around the world mourned his death. He is buried in a tomb at Mount Vernon although there was a tomb set up for him in the Capitol as well.