First Five Presidents

Directions:1.Take notes using the note-taking tool. Summarize and

write only the important facts in each box about

DOMESTIC and FOREIGN affairs that occurred in each

presidency. If you need more room, feel free to take

notes on a sheet of paper.2. After taking notes, share information with your team.

Washington’s Inauguration 1789

George WashingtonDomestic Issues:A. He sought to create a stronger functioning government by urging Congress to pass the Judiciary Act of 1789. It called for a Supreme Court to consist of one Chief Justice and five Associate Justices. Washington named John Hay the 1st Chief Justice of the U.S. This act also set up a system of district and circuit courts around the nation.B. Washington also created a Presidential cabinet. Members of the cabinet were responsible for giving him advice and responsible for directing their departments.(Members of Washington’s cabinet included Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton)

George WashingtonDomestic Issues continued:C. Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton set about trying to reduce the large national debt by providing loans to small businesses and farmers and selling bonds.D. A tax on liquor caused a rebellion from farmers who relied on turning their crops such as corn into whiskey to transport it to market more easily, was put down by Washington when he sent a militia to Pennsylvania to stop the rebellion. Just as Shay’s rebellion had shown how weak the government was under the Articles of Confederation... the Whiskey Rebellion had tested the will of the new government and shown that it was strong enough to act firmly in time of crisis.

George Washington

Foreign Issues:In Washington’s Farewell address he gave these key pieces of advice:A. Steer clear of foreign affairs and stay out of foreign wars!B. Even though Washington was not against foreign trade, he did reject alliances that could drag the country into war. C. Stay away from political parties. Washington felt that they would cause division and corruption in the government.D. Stay out of debt.

Do you think that America today has managed to follow Washington’s advice?

George WashingtonLegacies:Established important “precedents” such as having a presidential cabinet and stepping down after two terms.

His “Farewell Address” that he delivered at the end of his presidency helped guide future presidents on foreign and domestic affairs in the future.

John AdamsDomestic Issues:A. Dealt with political divisions within his own cabinet and in Congress. John Adams who relied on Federalists support a political party who made up a majority of Congress at this time, passed several laws including the Alien and Sedition acts used to target the rival political party the Democrat Republicans. Many immigrants were supporters of the Democrat-Republicans and the Federalist wanted to make it harder for them to become naturalized citizens and vote with the Alien Act. The Federalist also sought to get rid of opponents who spoke out against them with the Sedition acts which could fine or imprison anyone who criticized the government or its officials.

B. While Adams’ Vice President Thomas Jefferson, was a leader of a rising rival political party known as the “Democrat-Republicans,” Jefferson bitterly opposed the Alien and Sedition acts calling on state’s rights to rise up and nullify or cancel out a law passed by the federal government that the states felt was unfair. James Madison and Thomas Jefferson wrote the “Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions” raising the issue of State’s Rights and claiming that each state has the right to judge for itself wheter a law is constitutional or not.

John AdamsForeign Issues: (XYZ Affair) France and Britain were at war with one another and American ships traded goods with both nations because America was neutral. However, conflict with France arose when French ships began to seize American ships and have impressment of American sailors onto their ships, the British were doing the same. Each side wanted to catch U.S. ships before the other side could benefit from supplies and trade with America. Adams sent diplomats to Paris to discuss the rights of neutral nations. However, the French foreign minister Charles Talleyrand sent three agents simply known as agents X,Y and Z to offer the Americans a deal. Before Talleyrand would even begin talks, the agents said, he wanted $250,000 for himself and a $10 million dollar loan to France. “Not a sixpence!” replied one of the Americans angrily.

Notes Hint: Just write the 5 W’s...who? what? when? where? why?

XYZ Affair ContinuedMany Americans were outraged when word got out about the XYZ Affair in 1798. The took up the slogan “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!” By this, they meant that they would spend money to defend their country, but would not pay a dirty bribe to another nation. Many Americans called for war, despite strong pressure from Congress (the Federalists in particular, while Dem-Reps favored an alliance with France and wanted no war.) Adams refused to ask Congress to declare war on France losing much Federalist support. Like Washington he wanted to keep the nation out of European affairs but he did put money into strengthening the U.S. navy in an effort that helped convince France to stop attacking American ships.

Notes Hint: Just write the 5 W’s...who? what? when? where? why?

John Adams

Legacies:-After the election of 1800 Adams’ political party the Federalists lost power and a new era of politics shifted to the Democrat-Republicans with the election of Thomas Jefferson.-John Adams managed to keep the nation out of war.

Thomas Jefferson

Domestic Issues:A. The Age of jefferson refers to shift in government in which he was determined to make the government more democratic (meaning that all people have the same rights).In order to reduce the size of government:• Tries to cut federal budget and reduce federal debt.• Promotes laissez-faire ( French for ‘Let Alone’) policies in economic affairs. Free

Enterprise system with little government interference. • Decreases the size of government departments• Reduces the size of the army and navy• Asks Congress to repeal the whiskey tax.

In order to reconcile political party differences between the Feds and Dem-Reps:• Retains the Bank of the United States (Federalist creation)• Continues to pay off state debts using federal moneys (began by Federalist

Alexander Hamilton)• Allows many Federalists to keep their government jobs

Thomas Jefferson

Domestic Issues Continued:-Strengthen the Supreme Courts powers in the case Marbury v. Madison which acknowledged the power of Judicial Review or the right of courts to review laws and decide whether they or constitutional or not. ( Easy way to remember Marbury v. Madison led to Judicial Review is M&M= Jolly Rancher)-Secures a key port city essential for American trade at the port of New Orleans with the purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1803 that more than doubles the size of the United States. Stretches his power to use Federal monies to buy the area through the “Necessary and Proper” clause or elastic clause in the Constitution that says government can stretch their powers to do what is necessary and proper for the good of the nation.

Thomas Jefferson

Foreign Issues:Passes the Embargo Act of 1807. This was a ban on trade designed to protect American ships that were once again being attacked by French and British ships, despite America’s neutrality. Was very unpopular and later repealed and replaced by a less strict act that allowed Americans to carry on trade with all nations except Britain and France.

Thomas JeffersonLegacies:-Embargo Act unpopular measure of Jefferson’s presidency, still Republicans remained strong.-Following President Washington’s precedent Jefferson refused to run for a 3rd term.-Nearly doubles size of U.S. in 1803 with Louisiana Purchase.

James Madison

Domestic Issues:-Due to Britain’s continued attacks of American ships and refusal to respect American neutrality as well as pressure from a group of pro-war members of Congress from the South and the West known as the War Hawks, James Madison asked Congress to declare war on Britain in June of 1812.

James Madison

Foreign Issues:

-The War of 1812 later known as “Mr. Madison’s” war ended in 1814 with the Treaty of Ghent. Significant events include: the British managed to burn down the the capitol at Washington D.C., where Dolley Madison escaped the burning White house and saved key documents and portraits that today is a part of our national treasure and would have been lost without her, including an original painting of George Washington.-The Star Spangled Banner is composed by Francis Scott Key who is imprisoned on a British ship in the harbor outside of American Fort McHenry (near Baltimore, MD) the lyrics describe the events of the British bombardment of this Fort and how the Americans were able to hold the fort from the British. -Future President Andrew Jackson, protects port of New Orleans from British Invasion at the Battle of New Orleans.

James Madison

Legacies:-Strengthened the U.S. in the eyes of the world as a superpower willing to fight and stand up for itself.

James Monroe

Domestic Issues:-After war of 1812, there was a growth in patriotism or strong feelings/love for one’s nation. Many Americans proud of being able to once again stand up against British attacks successfully. This ushered in the Era of Good Feelings.-Economic growth in the nation, but a growing division between different sections of the nation grew (Sectionalism). John C. Calhoun spoke for the South, Daniel Webster represented the North in Congress and Henry Clay (known as the great compromiser) represented the voice of the West.-American system developed to protect domestic trade from foreign competition.

James Monroe

Foreign Issues:-Monroe’s Doctrine-Declared that U.S. could not interfere in affairs of European nations. At the same time, he warned European nations not to attempt to regain control of newly independent nations of Latin America.-Also stated that the U.S. would oppose any attempt to build new colonies in the Americas. Monroe’s message showed that the U.S. was determined to stop Europeans from building new colonies in the Americas.

James Monroe

Legacies:-Key cases: McCulloch v. Maryland (said states can’t interfere with federal laws) &Gibbons v. Ogden (strengthened federal power in trade between states)-Monroe’s Doctrine helped shape U.S. foreign policy for more than 100 years.-Florida purchased in 1819 from Spain.

Please write any futher questions you have for Mrs.

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THE END!