George Washington set many important precedents as the first President of the United States. He established traditions like choosing advisors from different political parties to form his Cabinet, and not seeking a third term, setting a two-term limit that later became law. Washington also oversaw the development of the first two-party system between the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, and the Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson.
2. Question to consider:
A question of leadership:
Is it more important to have a leader of average ability, but who
is popular and well-respected among his peers, or to have a
leader who may not be very popular or as well-liked, but is far
more capable of doing the job?
3. George Washington:
● General in charge of American Army
during Revolution.
● Extremely popular during and after the
war.
● Well-respected for his bravery, physical
presence, manners, and sense of duty.
● First and only unanimous choice as the
first President.
4. Precedent:
● something done or said that may serve as
an example.
● Washington and everyone around him was
well-aware that he was setting an example
for future presidents to follow, he was a
"precedent for Presidents."
5. Washington’s Precedent-cy
● Chose a group of advisors (called a
________) to help him run the country.
● Washington chose Secretaries of State,
______, ________, an _________
General and a _______ General.
● Today, presidents choose many more
Secretaries, but the “original five" remain.
6. The Cabinet
● Washington chose secretaries that were
both Federalists (Alexander Hamilton –
Treasury) and Anti-Federalists (Thomas
Jefferson – State).
● In recent years, Presidents Clinton, Bush
and Obama have also appointed cabinet
members from both parties.
7. Washington’s most important
precedent:
●He did not run for a third term.
● Washington’s tradition of a two-term limit
on the presidency was observed until
1940.
● In 1951, the 22nd Amendment was ratified,
legally limiting the president to 2 four-year
terms (8 years). Washington’s precedent
became law.
8. Another "First"
During Washington's time in office, the two-party system was born.
Federalists - The original supporters of the Constitution. Favored a
strong central government, manufacturing and trade interests, and a
loose interpretation of the Constitution.
Democratic-Republicans - The old Anti-Federalists. Favored strong
state governments, farming and agricultural interests, and a strict
interpretation of the Constitution.
Traditionally, the U.S. has maintained a strictly "two-party"
system. Most "third parties" are dissatisfied members of one of the
two major parties and are eventually re-absorbed into the old party, or
go to the other side.
9. Federalist - Alexander Hamilton
-First Secretary of Treasury
-Believed in a strong central
government with a professional army.
-Created the U.S. Mint and established monetary demoniations. Is
considered the Father of the American Economic System
-Created the U.S. Coast Guard to collect duties and tariffs.
10. Hamilton and the National Debt
Hamilton supported government assumption of the national
debt, where the U.S. government would take over all of the
states' war debts and pay them off with Federal money.
In doing this, Hamilton was trying to build up the U.S.
government's credit so that other nations would be willing to
loan it money. It would also free up the states' money to go
towards other projects.
This idea was opposed in the South because many Southern
states had already paid off most of their debts (because they
didn't have to borrow as much as the North did).
11. Cabinet Member - Thomas Jefferson
First Secretary of State, Second
Vice-President and Third President
of the United States
Supported strong state governments and
an a part-time army of citizen-soldiers
(militia) trained by full-time professional
officers.
Resigned as Sectretary of State in 1793 because of differences
with Hamilton over just about everything.
Oversaw the creation of the Democratic-Republican Party to
oppose the Federalists.
