Judiciary Act of 1789

Although the constitution explains the responsibilities of each branch of government, the structure of the judicial branch was pretty vague. One of the first acts of congress was to define how the judicial branch would be set up. The Judiciary Act was approved by President Washington in 1789. It gives the judicial branch three levels: district courts, courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court. The Judiciary Act set the number of Supreme Court justices (judges) at 6, which includes a chief justice.Today our supreme court has 9 justices instead of 6.

Creating a Stable Economy

After the revolutionary war the nation had a lot of debt. The Nation owed more than 54 million dollars. The sectary of the treasury, AlexanderHamilton, created a 3 part plan to make the American economy strong.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan
Pay Off The National Debt:
Hamilton wanted the national government to pay off American Revolution war debts run up by the Continental Congress as well as wartime debts of the states.Hamilton believed that this plan would establish the credit of the nation. / Create a National Bank:
Hamiltonproposed the creation of a national bank as a place to deposit taxes and to provide sound currency. / Raise Revenue:
Hamilton wanted to raise money through taxes.
  • Whiskey Tax- People who purchased Whiskey had to pay the extra tax on whiskey, people who didn’t buy it, didn’t have to pay the tax.
  • Protective Tariff- Hamilton asked Congress to pass a high Tariff - tax on imported goods which would protect American businesses from foreign competition.

The Cabinet

As the nation’s first President, Washington set many precedents;among these was the presidential cabinet. The presidentialcabinet is made of the heads of the executive departments. The cabinet meets to advise the President. The President selects Cabinet members, and then the senate approves the President’s selection. George Washington had a four member cabinet made up of a Secretary of State- Thomas Jefferson, a Secretary of the Treasury – Alexander Hamilton, a secretary of War – Henry Knox and an Attorney General –Edmond Randolph. Over our country’s history, the cabinet has expanded to include the Vice- President and 15 cabinet departments

Whiskey Rebellion

Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government was very weak. It hadno ability to tax and with the outbreak of Shaysrebellion, there was concern of the government's ability to enforce the laws. With the ratification of the Constitution, the executive branchgained the power to uphold the law. During his second term, Washington faced a challenge to this new power. Farmers in westernPennsylvania protested against the collection of taxes on whiskey. Washington answered this challengeby usinghis power as commander inchief. Washington led the army to western Pennsylvania to stop the rebellious protesters. The rebellion ended with about a dozen men being arrested and eventually pardon by Washington. This event showed that the new Government would use the militia, if necessary, to keep order in the states and enforce the law.

Foreign Policy

When dealing with foreign nations, Washington had two main goals keep the young country out of warandsecure the country’s borders.

Goal 1: Stay out of Foreign Wars

In the spring of 1793 a major war broke out between Great Britain and America’s ally France. Washington and his cabinet knew that the new republic was not ready for another war, so they decided that the United States would remain neutral.

Goal 2: Secure the United States Borders

The southern and western borders of the US had been a source of great tension with Spain. The U.S. border extended to the Mississippi River, but the southern stretch of the Mississippi river remained in Spanish territory. President Washington sent Thomas Pinckney to negotiate a treaty with Spain to allow farmers to ship their items down the Mississippi.

The results of the treaty were:

  • Spain agreed to abandon the forts and posts along the Mississippi in the United States
  • Spain granted American ships the right to free navigation of the Mississippi River
  • Spain agreed to permit western settlers the "right to deposit" their exports in New Orleans whilst awaiting shipment