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The Cabinet
Washington chose leading political figures to head them. He picked Thomas Jefferson to head the State Department, which handles relations with other nations. He named Alexander Hamilton to manage the nation's money at the Department of the Treasury. Henry Knox was the choice to look after the nation's defense as the secretary of the Department of War. To address the government's legal affairs, Washington chose Edmund Randolph to be attorney general. -
George Washington takes office
George Washington took the oath of office as the first president of the United States under that new Constitution. John Adams became vice president. -
Establishing the Court system
The first Congress also faced the job of forming the nation's court system. Some favored a uniform legal system for the entire nation. Others favored keeping the existing state systems. The two sides reached an agreement in the Judiciary Act of 1789. This act established a federal court system. -
The Whiskey Rebellion
The new government wanted to collect taxes on some products made in the United States. In 1791 Congress passed a tax on the manufacture and sale of whiskey, a type of alcohol made from grain. Western Pennsylvania farmers were especially upset by this tax. An armed mob attacked tax collectors and burned down buildings. This protest, called the Whiskey Rebellion, alarmed government leaders. They viewed it as a challenge so George Washington gathered up troops and sent them off. -
The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights limits the power of government. It protects individual liberty, including freedom of speech and the rights of people accused of crimes. The Tenth Amendment says that any power not listed in the Constitution belongs to the states or the people. Madison hoped this amendment would help protect Americans against a national government that was too powerful. -
Washington Re-elected
Presidential electors cast their ballots and George Washington is reelected to a second term as president. He receives 132 of the 135 votes in the Electoral College, with three abstentions. John Adams is reelected vice president with 77 votes. -
Pinckney's treaty with Spain
Spanish leaders were nervous about Jay's Treaty. They feared that the United States and Great Britain would now work together against Spain in North America. Washington sent U.S. diplomat Thomas Pinckney to Spain to settle differences between the nations. In 1795 Pinckney's Treaty gave the Americans free navigation of the Mississippi River and the right to trade at New Orleans. -
Washington leaves Office
After eight years in office, Washington decided not to seek a third term as president. In his Farewell Address, Washington urged his fellow citizens to observe good faith and justice toward all nations. It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances. -
Commission Disputes French Claim
President Adams goes to France meeting with agents of the French government in Paris it is told they must pay $250,000 and promise to loan the French government a substantial sum of money before substantive talks will occur. The commission refuses. -
Matthew Lyon and Roger Griswold fight in House
Republican Matthew Lyon and Federalist Roger Griswold fight on the floor of the House of Representatives. Federalist attempts to expel Lyon fail, but eight months later, he is convicted under the Sedition Act passed by the Federalist-dominated Congress.
