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Impact that Stress has on the President

Practice Questions for the Test

1. In his Farewell Address, President Washington gives the American people advice on improving the credit of the United States. What are two ways the U.S. could have improved the nation’s credit.

2. Thomas Jefferson was appointed to the position of

__________________ by George Washington.

3. Edmund Randolph was a member of what political party?

4. What political party was John Adams a member of?

5. The first Attorney General of the United States was?

A. Henry Knox B. Thomas Jefferson

C. John Jay D. Edmund Randolph

6. ___________ was the first Secretary of War?

A. Henry Knox B. Thomas Jefferson

C. Samuel Osgood D. Alexander Hamilton

7. ______________ was the first Secretary of Treasury.

A. Henry Knox B. Thomas Jefferson

C. Samuel Osgood D. Alexander Hamilton

8. Who was the founder of the Democratic-Republican Party?

9. Which of the following could be a reason why Alexander Hamilton wanted to support the British in their struggle against the French?

1. The French were trying to establish an empire in Europe
2. The French king was an ally to the United States during the Revolutionary War
3. The British were the number one trading partner of the United States
4. The British were trading with the French more then the United States.

10. Who received a patent for the cotton gin in 1793?

11. What other group could be eligible for the credit of the cotton gin? Why?

12. Which of the following men would believe in a loose interpretation of the U.S. Constitution?

A. Thomas Jefferson B. James Madison

C. Thomas Pickney C. General Anthony Wayne

Washington's Farewell Address

In 1792, George Washington was prepared to retire from the office of the President. He asked Congressman James Madison from Virginia to help draft a farewell address to the American people. Washington had only planned on serving one term as President and was looking forward to enjoying his retirement in Virginia at his Mount Vernon estate.

However, his thoughts on retirement would be short-lived. The conflict between Britain and France and the growth of political parties made Washington feel that it would not be appropriate to retire at this point. Many of Washington's supporters urged the President to complete a second term in office.

During his second term the President faced several daunting challenges both at home and abroad. Hamilton's Financial Plan, the growth of political parties, Jay's Treaty, and the Whiskey Rebellion all took a heavy toll on the President's health. Daily attacks on his judgement in newspapers and in Congress had made the President very irritable and prone to fits of anger. By 1796, he was ready to retire.

In May of 1796 Washington took out the address written by James Madison and gave it to Alexander Hamilton for some revisions. Washington wanted the address to be short enough to published in newspapers and readable for most Americans. Hamilton's revisions of the Washington's speech are noticable with an emphasis placed on the importance of improving the nation's credit, or financial standing amongst other nations.

The Farewell Address was published on September 19, 1796 in Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser and was soon reprinted in various newspapers across the country.

Tom and Alex Get Into a Fight

Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were two of the most talented men to ever serve in government. Both men, brought an insight into philosophy and human behavior and a passion for the nation. Hamilton and Jefferson would serve in the Cabinet together from 1790-1793, by the end of 1793 they were no longer speaking to one another.

Jefferson and Washington were both from Virginia. Both men inherited a large sum of money as young men. The two considered themselves to be farmers, and prided themselves on the quality of their plantations. They both owned slaves, and both married wealthy women. Despite having a very similar background, Washington tended to side with Hamilton over certain issues. This frustrated Jefferson, who felt that Washington was valuing Hamilton's ideas over his.

When fighting broke out in Europe following the French Revolution, Jefferson felt that it was the obligation of the United States to support the French in their struggles. Jefferson felt that it was the duty of the U.S. to support another democracy and spread the ideas of liberty and freedom. Having spent several years in France, Jefferson sympathized with the French and hoped that they would emerge victorious against Britain.

When Washington declared that the U.S. would remain neutral, Jefferson feels that it was the President's way of siding with Hamilton.

In regards to the economy, Hamilton's plan for a National Bank and a tariff on imported goods, made Jefferson feel that the American government was not following the Constitution faithfully. The Bank would be giving the National Government tremendous power and Jefferson felt that this could lead to a dictatorship.

Out of protest for the National Bank, Jefferson sent President Washington a letter of resignation in 1792. Washington encouraged his Secretary of State to wait until the end of 1793 before he considered leaving his office. During the year of 1792-1793, Jefferson's frustration with the government grew and he officially resigned on December 21, 1793.

He returned to his plantation of Monticello and promised to stay out of politics. His retirement is about as long as Brett Favre's. From his plantaion, Jefferson writes a series of articles that attacked Hamilton and his policies under various fake names.

Suddenly, Hamilton's background, his morals, and intentions are all brought under scrutiny. Some newspapers in Philadelphia and Virginia carry these lambasting articles that have authors with Roman and Greek names.

With the help of James Madison who is serving in the Congress, Jefferson is able to gather support from newspaper editors, Senators, and members of the House of Representatives. His followers refer to themselves as Democratic-Republicans. They believed the following:

1. Strong state government, weak national government

2. encouraging a nation of farmers over one of bankers and merchants

3. support for the French

4. strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution

Fearing Jefferson's influence over Congressmen and Senators, Alexander Hamilton began to seek out like minded individuals to help him carryout National policy. Hamilton's supporters were primarily from the North and tended to be business leaders and bankers.

Many farmers and planters agreed with the policies of Madison and Jefferson, and Democratic-Republican clubs formed in the South. Soon in Congress, members found themselves split between those that supported Jefferson and Madison and those that supported Alexander Hamilton.

As the nation's leaders became split over politics, the President became frustrated and concerned with the rise of factions in the nations.

Some Practice Quiz Questions

1. In what region of the country would you find the most members of the Democratic-Republican Party? Why?

2. The Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the American Revolution and was to provide peace between Great Britain and the newly independent United States. Give two examples of how the British did not honor the Treaty of Parish.

3. What was the Treaty of Greenville?

4. Who was Chief Little Turtle?

5. Explain Jeffrey Amherst's opinion of the Native Americans. How was it different from Sir. Johnson? Who had more success with the Native Americans?

Washington's Cabinet

The President's Cabinet consists of the President's closest advisors on topics ranging from National Defense to Veteran's Affairs. Appointed by the President and approved by the Senate, Cabinet officials work closely with the President on either domestic or foreign policy. Today there are 15 official Cabinet positions in our government, in 1792 there were 5.

According to Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution the President has the authority to appoint advisors and consul. Believing that by surrounding himself with capable and intelligent advisors the American people would be confident that the nation was in good hands, President Washington decided to appoint five qualified individuals to work with him.

Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton from New York.

Role: Principal economic advisor to the President on issues such as taxes and managing the public debt.

Qualifications: Hamilton had served as Washington's aide-de-camp during the American Revolution. Following the war, he was a member of the Constitutional Convention, lawyer, and founder of the Bank of New York.

Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson from Virginia

Role: Highest ranking official in the Cabinet. Is the main advisor to the President on foreign policy issues and oversees American diplomats abroad.

Qualifications: Thomas Jefferson had served as the American ambassador to France for a number of years. A former governor of Virginia his time serving in the Continental Congress and his reputation as a statesman were well known.

Secretary of War, Henry Knox from Massachusetts

Role: Responsible for arming, supplying, and financial supporting the United States Army as well as the creation of coastal fortifications.

Qualifications: Henry Knox had served as the Artillery Commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. A close friend of Washington, Knox was one of the most trusted commanders during the American Revolution.

Postmaster General, Samuel Osgood from Massachusetts/New York

Role: Overseeing the U.S. Postal Service.

Qualifications: Osgood served as an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. A highly organized businessman and politician, Osgood's home in New York City became Washington's executive mansion.

Attorney General, Edmund Randolph from Virginia.

Role: "Prosecute and conduct all suits in the Supreme Court." The Attorney General acts as the head lawyer for the United States and is in charge of the Department of Justice.

Qualifications: A former member of the Constitutional Convention, Osgood was a well established lawyer in Virginia whose clients included George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Questions for the Native American Reading

1. Compare and contrast Sir Jeffrey's Amherst's policies towards the Native Americans with Sir William Johnson's. How did the two men differ in their beliefs towards Native Americans?

2. Following General St. Clair's defeat there was a sense of panic amongst American settlers and the government over the success of the Northwest Territory. What do you think Thomas Jefferson was referring to when he said that "...there will be a great revolution of opinion here as to the manner in which they are to be dealt with."?

3.From the Native American point of view the British were just another invading force, like the French were. Connect the following quote to the theme of Vision: "You think yourselves Masters of this Country, because you have taken it from the French, who, you know had no Right to it, as it is the Property of us Indians."

4. Today's reading for class was based on American Leviathan by Patrick Griffin. A Leviathan is an ancient sea monster that is mentioned in the Old Testament. Over the years the word has become associated with a force of chaos and destruction. From the Native American perspective, who do you think was the bigger Leviathan, the British or the Americans? Give reasons that support your answer?