Launching the nation:Washington leads a new nation and John Adams's presidency
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The first president
Americans believed in George Washington. They saw him as an honest leader, hero and thought he would be a great start to their own government/presidency. Washington had different plans though. He had been looking forward to retirement. When he finally became used to the idea all of his friends kept telling him he should do it would be the best their was. At the first voting George unanimously became president. His wife helped entertain guests at social events. John Adams became vice president. -
Judiciary Act of 1789
The Judiciary Act of 1789 was an act that created three levels of federal courts and defined their powers and relationship to the state courts. It set up federal district courts and circuit courts of appeals. The president nominated candidates for federal judgeship. Those candidates then had to be approved or rejected by the senate. That is what it was. -
America's Expectations for the nation
Many Americans had very high expectations for the new country. They wanted everything to be improved but they also expected them to keep the economy stable. In 1790 the United States was home to almost 4 million people. 95% of people lived in rural areas and the other 5% was urban and so most people didn't want the government to be where it was because all of the farmers which was most people weren't going to be anywhere near it. -
Organizing government
Everybody knew that starting this government was not going to be easy but they knew it had to happen. George Washington said in a letter to James Madison, "The first of everything in our situation will serve to establish a precedent". A precedent is an action/decision that later serves as an example. They started to have cabinet meetings which started in 1792. -
President Adams and the XYZ affair
John Adams was the next president. He knew how much everybody liked George and he thought they wouldn't like him. People did think that John Adams didn't seem suited for this so knew if he wanted their votes he would have to work hard. Adams tried to get peace with France and it failed he told everyone and he substituted the peoples names with XYZ. The XYZ affair, as the french demanded for a bribe came, outraged the American public.Adams said "Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute!" -
The election of 1796
The election of 1796 began a new era for the US politics. For the first time they had more than one person run for president. These are called political parties there are two. The federalist party wanted a strong federal government and supported industry and trade. The Democratic-Republican who wanted to limit the governments powers. Now the two political parties are called Democratic and Republican. -
A new president
John Adams was the next president. He knew how much everybody liked George and he thought they wouldn't like him. People did think that John Adams didn't seem suited for this so knew if he wanted their votes he would have to work hard. He tried so hard to get everybody on his side because he knew that he really did have good view on politics people just hadn't realized it yet. After he was elected and he made good decisions people became glad he was a president and that they had voted for him. -
The united states and france
Adams first goal as president was to fix the relationship between the US and France because he knew that would be a good decision to make because France made good decisions and had lots of money and good war tactics. In the past France had asked for help in war against Great Britain but some people thought it was a bad idea and that they should stay neutral so they ended up doing that. Now the french will only become allies with them if they gave them a $250,000 bribe but diplomats refused this. -
Preparations for war
John Adams didn't want war to happen and so he asked Congress to expand the navy to a fleet of more than 30 ships. He thought war with France might be unavoidable. He decided the US should keep a peacetime army. Congress approved both ideas. Even though Adams asked Congress for military support he was worried about the costs so he didn't ask Congress to declare war. Instead he tried to reopen peace talks with France. -
Peace efforts
In 1798 the Federalist-controlled Congress passed 4 laws know together as the Alien and Sedition Acts. These laws protected the US, but the Federalists intended them to stop opposition to war. The sedition act stopped anyone from voicing criticism of the federal government. Thomas Jefferson and James madison saw this as a misuse of government so resolutions were made. These were called Kentucky and Virginia resolutions these documents said that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional.
