Chapter 9 The Federalist Era (1789-1800)

Section 1 The First President

George Washington

• Became the first president of the United States on April 30, 1789
• (Several others served as president under the Articles of Confederation)
• John Adams became Vice President
• Washington knew that the precedents he established would shape the future of the United States
• Washington created departments
• Set up the court system
• Added a Bill of Rights to the Constitution

The First Cabinet

• Washington chose prominent figures to head departments
• State Department- Handled relations with other nations (Thomas Jefferson)
• Department of the Treasury- Handled financial matters (Alexander Hamilton)
• Department of War- Handled the nation’s defense (Henry Knox)
• Edmund Randolph became attorney general- Handled the government’s legal affairs
• Office of postmaster general was also established
• The three department heads and the attorney general became known as the cabinet
• The president has the power to dismiss cabinet members

Section 1

1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D

Which of the following is NOT a branch of the US Government?

A. The Executive branch

B. The Judicial branch

C. The Military branch

D. The Legislative branch

The Judiciary Act of 1789

• Congress had to decide how to set up the judicial system
• Some wanted a uniform national legal system and some favored state courts
• The two groups compromised in the Judiciary Act of 1789
• Congress established a federal court system with the power to reverse state decisions
• The Supreme Court would be the supreme authority- John Jay was chosen as chief justice

The Bill of Rights

• Many people insisted that the Constitution include guarantees of civil liberties
• Some states supported the Constitution on the condition that a bill of rights would be added in the near future
• Congress passed 12 amendments and the states ratified 10 of them
• December 1791- The 10 amendments became the Bill of Rights
• The Bill of Rights limits the powers of government
• Protects individual rights (speech, press, trial by jury…)
• 10^th amendment- Madison hoped to use the states as an important line of defense against a too powerful government

The New Country’s Economy

• Washington left the economic policies to his secretary of the treasury, Alexander Hamilton
• Hamilton had bold plans and policies to deal with the country’s finances
• The new nation faced a serious national debt… and it was growing
• Hamilton tried to find a way to improve the government’s financial reputation and strengthen the nation at the same time

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

• 1. Pay off war Debt
• 2. Raise revenue by tariffs
• 3. Create a national bank

Section 1

1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D

Which of the following is not a part of Alexander Hamilton’s plan for strengthening the nation’s economy?

A. Repaying debt to � foreign countries

B. Establishing a � national bank

C. Collecting national taxes

D. Issuing bonds to � American citizens

Opposition to the Plan

• Those that bought bonds during the American Revolution- Many people sold them for lesser value
• The new bond owners would be paid off at original value
• Southern states objected because they accumulated much less debt than the Northern states
• Hamilton worked out a compromise with the South- If they paid off the debt, the new capital would be in the South
• Washington D.C. was now in planning

The Fight Over the Bank

• Hamilton asked Congress to create a national bank- The Bank of the United States
• Madison and Jefferson opposed a national bank saying it would benefit the wealthy and it was unconstitutional
• Hamilton argued that Congress had the power to do so
• Washington agreed, and a national bank was created

Tariffs and Taxes

• Hamilton proposes a tariff to protect American industries from foreign competition
• A tax on imports
• The South opposed, but Hamilton won support in Congress
• A tax on whiskey distilled in the United States was also added

The nation's first vice president was

1. George Washington.
2. John Adams.
3. Samuel Adams.
4. Benjamin Franklin.

One of the liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights is

1. the right to ban the press.
2. the right to refuse taxes.
3. freedom of speech.
4. the right to own a home.

The first chief justice of the United States was

1. John Adams.
2. Alexander Hamilton.
3. George Washington.
4. John Jay.

The Judiciary Act of 1789 established what kind of legal system?

1. congressional law
2. international court system
3. federal court system
4. stack court system

To help build a strong national economy, Hamilton asked Congress to create

1. a national bank.
2. the stock market.
3. trade routes.
4. Washington, D.C.