Chapter 7: Launching the Nation

Section 1: Washington Leads a New Nation

The First President

• Americans believed strongly in George Washington and wanted him to be the new nation’s first leader– Honest leader– Revolutionary War Hero

• Washington wanted to retire to his farm in Virginia– Hesitant to become a candidate, his friends

pressed him to run for the presidency

The First President

• January 1789– The eleven states that had ratified the

Constitution sent electors to choose the first President

• Electoral College body of electors who represent the people’s vote in choosing the president

– George Washington was selected unanimously

– John Adams became Vice President

The First President

• First lady, Martha Washington, entertained guests and attended social events with her husband

• Some women of the time believed that women ought to play a greater role in the New Nation– Abigail Adams and others believed in Republican

Motherhood• Women played an important role in raising children to be

good citizens• While some believed that women should not participate in

politics or business, others hoped it would open opportunities for women

Organizing the Government• New government had to develop policies and

procedures to set future precedent– Action or decision that later serves as an example

• First Congress created departments within the executive branch for different areas of national policy– Washington met with department heads who advised

him• This is common practice today

– Alexander Hamilton chosen as Secretary of Treasury– Thomas Jefferson chosen as Secretary of State– Henry Knox chosen as Secretary of War– Samuel Osgood chosen as Postmaster General

Organizing the Government

• Judiciary Act of 1789– Set up federal court system

• Created 3 levels of federal courts and defined their powers and relationship to the state courts

• Established district courts and circuit courts of appeals

• President nominates candidates for federal judgeships

– Candidates must be approved/rejected by the Senate

Americans’ Expectations for the Nation• Americans had high expectations for the new

nation– Improved trade, free from too many restrictions– Government protection and economic stability

• Idea of belonging to one united nation was a new one

• 1790: American population about 4 million– Mostly rural

• Wanted fair tax laws and right to settle western lands• Did not want government interference in daily lives

– Urban areas• Craftspeople, laborers, merchants• Wanted government to promote business• Simpler trade laws• Protection from foreign competition

Americans’ Expectations for the Nation

• Most cities were small– Only New York and Philadelphia had populations over

25,000– New York was the first capital of the United States

• Bustling economy• Active international trade and business

• 1792– Group of stockbrokers signed an agreement under a

buttonwood tree on Wall Street• Agreement was the foundation for what later became the

New York Stock Exchange