Chapter 8:A New Nation

EVENT DATE

Revolutionary War begins 1775

Declaration of Independence July 4th, 1776

Revolutionary War ends 1783

Constitution is ratified 1788

Washington is inaugurated President 1789

Section 1:The First President

Why It MattersGeorge Washington’s administration faced

the huge task of making the new government work. The Constitution had created the office of the presidency, but Washington established many procedures and customs.

The Impact TodayPresident Washington set many examples

that presidents still follow. These include creating a cabinet, directing foreign affairs, and serving as chief legislator.

What are precedents?

Washington had a hard job because no one had ever been president of the U.S.

Why was it harder to be the FIRST president?

G.W. knew that everyone would be carefully watching his every move. Future presidents would look to him for how TO or NOT TO do this job.

Precedents are examples or traditions that others follow.

Examples of precedents

What people

would call him (“Mr.

President”)

He established a cabinet

of advisors.

He only served two

terms

What is a cabinet?

A cabinet is NOT a piece of furniture or a place to file paperwork.

It is a group of advisors to the president.

Washington’s Cabinet

G.W.

President

T.J.

Dept.of State

Hamilton

Dept.of the Treasury

Henry Knox

Dept.of War

E. Randolph

Attorney General

John Adams

V.P.

Foreign affairs

Financial matters

National defense

Legal matters

Obama’s Cabinet

Vice PresidentJoe Biden

Secretary of State

John Kerry

Secretary of the TreasuryJacob Lew

Secretary of Defense

Chuck Hagel

Attorney General

Eric Holder

Secretary of the Interior

Secretary of Agriculture

Secretary ofCommerce

Secretary ofLabor

Secretary of Health and

Human Services

Secretary ofHousing and Urban Dev.

Secretary ofTransportation

Secretary ofEnergy

Secretary ofEducation

Secretary ofVeterans Affairs

Secretary ofHomeland Security

Hamilton’s Compromise

Our Nation’s Capital

capitalcapitol

Tariff

A tariff is a tax on imports.It helps American manufacturers by making

imported goods more expensive.