Washington's first government Flashcards
What year did George Washington become the first President of the US?
1789
Who was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
John Jay
What position did Alexander Hamilton have in Washington’s government?
First Secretary of the Treasury
What position did Thomas Jefferson have in Washington’s government?
Secretary of State
What was Hamilton’s plan to deal with debt?
Creation of a National Bank that would take on all states debt and ask all states to contribute to paying of the consolidated debt.
Was Jefferson in favour or against Hamilton’s financial reforms?
Against - believed it was unfair for states to have to pay for each other’s debts
What did Hamilton offer southern opponents of his financial plans to gain their agreement?
The capital city would be in the south
What happened in 1793 in France that caused problems for Washington?
Execution of King Louis XVI; Beginning of the terror; France declared war on Britain
Who argued that America should support France in its war against Britain?
Jefferson
What % of American trade was with Britain?
75%
What % of US imports came from Britain?
90%
What was Washington’s stance on France’s war with Britain?
Proclamation of Neutrality
Which French Ambassador sought asylum in the US IN 1793?
Edmond-Charles Genet
What were the terms of John Jay’s treaty with Britain in 1794?
- Britain agreed to evacuate remaining US territory by 1796
- USA agreed to not trade with France
- Britain refused to pay compensation for any slaves it freed during Revolutionary War
What two political groupings/parties emerged in this period?
Federalists
Republicans
Who was a leading figure in the Federalist grouping?
Alexander Hamilton
Who was a leading figure in the Republican grouping?
Thomas Jefferson
What new western states joined the Union during Washington’s government?
Kentucky (1792)
Tennessee (1796)
Why did Washington’s 1790 law forbidding private/state encroachment onto Native American lands fail?
- States ignored the law (Georgia)
- White settlers moved onto lands
- Native American tribes revolted in the Ohio Valley
What year did Washington have to deal with the Whiskey Rebellion?
1794
What caused the Whiskey Rebellion?
Hamilton’s tax on whiskey
How did Washington personally intervene in the Whiskey Rebellion?
Marched into Pittsburgh on horseback to deal with rebels
Who was the Federalist candidate to replace Washington in the 1796 election?
John Adams
Who was the Republican candidate to replace Washington in the 1796 election?
Thomas Jefferson
What was the outcome of the 1796 election?
John Adams - President
Thomas Jefferson - Vice-President
