George Washington Flashcards
Why was GW against political parties?
Allows for groupthink, lack of individual opinion
What made GW the unanimous choice for 1st president?
Married Martha (richest family in US) and fought as general
What is a Precedent?
1st thing done as example for future presidents (not law)
GW’s precedent’s?
-Oath of office
-“Mr. President” rather than “Majesty/highness”
-Owned slaves
GW’s goals
-National unity
-“Smooth” administration
-gain respect from other countries (trade)
Roles in the 1st cabinet?
Sec. Of State
Sec. Of War
Sec. Of Treasury
Vice President
Secretary of State
Thomas Jefferson
Secretary of War
Henry Knox
Secretary of Treasury
Alexander Hamilton
Vice President
John Adams
New nation’s big problem?
Major state and national debt (due to war)
Solutions to big debt?
Protective tariff
National bank
Excise tax
Protective tariff
Tax on imports (to urge citizens to buy US goods)
National Bank
Houses gov. $
collect taxes
made currency
provide loans & backup
Excise Tax
Tax on certain (dangerous) items (cigarettes, liquor, gasoline)
Goals to pay major debt
- Pay debt w/ interest (demanded more $ over time if unpaid)
- Strengthen government’s credit
Is a National Bank Constitutional?
Constitution doesn’t mention bank
YES, b/c of elastic clause & establish credit
Two sides of constitutional national bank debate
STRICT - bank has to be in constitution
LOOSE - constitution doesn’t say yes/no
Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)
US needed to stay out of foreign affairs to ensure stability
GW’s warnings in his Farewell Address
Avoid “entangled alliances”
Accept taxes
Be careful of political parties
