Washington_Administration

=**Presidency of George Washington**= George Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789 at Federal Hall in New York City. Keeping with the British tradition of the monarch addressing Parliament, Washington gave an inaugural speech (a practice that has been done ever since). He's the only president in history to receive 100% of the Electoral vote.

Upon entering office, Washington focused on the establishment of the federal judiciary and executive departments. The Judiciary Act of 1789 created the Supreme Court with 6 justices (today there are 9). The Chief Justice would lead the Supreme Court. Lower courts were established as well. The executive departments that were created was the State Department to advise on foreign policy with the first Secretary of State being Thomas Jefferson. The Treasury Department would advise on economics with the first Secretary of the Treasury being Alexander Hamilton. The Department of War formed to advise on the Indian policy, manage the military, and develop coastal fortifications with the first Secretary of War being Henry Knox. The Judiciary Act of 1789 had also set up the Office of the Attorney General to be the chief legal advisor with the first Attorney General being Washington's former aid-de-camp Edmund Randolph. The final cabinet position created under Washington was the Postmaster General to the postal service in the U.S. with the first Postmaster General being Samuel Osgood.

Washington took a neutrality position when France (an official ally from the Revolution) and Britain (America's biggest trade partner) went to war. He believed that America's future didn't depend on Europe but rather the American people and western lands. Washington sent "Mad Anthony" Wayne to defeat the Indians in the west and won a major victory in the Battle of Fallen Timbers. Two treaties would be developed: one the Treaty of Greenville, which tribes ceded lands in Ohio and parts of Indiana and two was Jay's Treaty, which Britain withdrew from western forts giving the U.S. supreme control of the northwest.

The new U.S. government assumed the war debt held by the states. Alexander Hamilton suggested a national bank to raise revenue, which was opposed by Thomas Jefferson. In the end, the First Bank of the United States was created after Hamilton and Jefferson came to an agreement. This national bank would make loans, handle funds, and develop currency. Hamilton's plan to raise federal revenue would be to levy import tariffs and put a tax on liquor, which was done. The Revenue-Marine was also formed to enforce the tariff and maritime laws, which would eventually become the Coast Guard.

Farmers in western PA protested the tax on liquor (corn grown in western PA and was used to make corn whiskey) by attacking tax collectors. This Whiskey Rebellion would be put down by the U.S. military under personal command of Washington with Hamilton and army General Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee. The importance was was the federal government showed it had the power to secure the entire nation, which was not possible under the old Articles of Confederation.

Washington reluctantly took the oath of office for a second term. He would refuse to serve a third term, which became a tradition among future presidents. He gave his famous farewell address and then retired to Mount Vernon until his death in 1799. He is regarded today as the Father of our Country.

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