DOCSLIB.ORG

The Presidency of George Washington

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Presidency of George Washington 11/16/2014 George Washington: War Hero & Private Citizen • He had an imposing presence – He was 6 feet 2 inches, 175 lbs – He had sloping shoulders & a strongly George pointed chin • He was an esteemed war hero (General of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary Way) • He preferred quiet at his home (Mount Washington Vernon in Virginia) than the turmoil of politics Launching the New Ship of State and Foreign & Domestic • He was balanced rather than brilliant and commanded followers by strength Disputes during the first presidential Administration of character rather than by the arts of the politician. George Washington as President Launching the Ship of State • He did not “seek” the office of the • As the FIRST President of the United States, Washington presidency like his contemporaries had to define the role of the presidency. • He was unanimously elected to the • He established many important precedents (something done presidency by the Electoral College in or said that may serve as an example or rule to authorize or justify a subsequent act of the same or an analogous kind) 1789 that would define the presidency for generations. – No other president has ever been • Washington, as the first president, was able to put his stamp elected unanimously on the new government • He took the oath of office on April • Oath of Office: “So Help me God” 30, 1789 in New York City (the • Established title: Mr. President (although many people temporary capital of the U.S.) suggested the president should be referred to as “His President George Washington Lansdowne portrait by Gilbert Stuart Excellency,” “His High Mightiness,” and “His Majesty”) 1 11/16/2014 Domestic Issue: The Cabinet Washington’s Cabinet • He formed the first cabinet, the group of presidential advisors and the heads of the departments. – Note: the Constitution does not mention a cabinet, though provides that a president “may require” written opinions of the heads of the executive- branch departments •Article II, Section II, Clause 1. Thomas Jefferson Henry Knox Edmund Randolph Alexander Hamilton Secretary of State Secretary of War Attorney General Secretary of the Treasury Democratic-Republican Federalist Federalist • Written letters to and from the president from Federalist the heads of the departments were awkward, leading Washington to create the cabinet. Why do you think Washington chose someone from a different political party to serve in his cabinet? Domestic Issue: The Federal Domestic Issue: Solving America’s Court System Financial Crisis & Economic Problems • Congress sets up the Federal Court • Financial Program for the country System – Foreign & Domestic Debt – The Judiciary Act of 1789 •Organized the Supreme Court with – Protective Tariffs and Excise Taxes (1) one Chief Justice and (5) five – National Bank Controversey associate justices (8 associate judges today) •Controversy over “necessary and proper” clause that – First Supreme Court Justice was John Federalists use to justify creation of the bank Jay (Federalist Party) • Created 13 federal district courts throughout the country •Created 3 Federal circuit courts •Created the office of the Attorney John Jay (Federalist) General First Supreme Court Chief Justice 2 11/16/2014 Hamilton vs. Jefferson Hamilton vs. Jefferson Contrasting Views on the Federal Government • Alexander Hamilton (Federalist) and Thomas Hamilton Jefferson Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) both cabinet • Concentrating power in federal • Sharing power with state and members in Washington Administration government local governments: limited national • Both have different political views that caused bitter government disagreements between the two men, mainly over • Republic led by a well-educated • Democracy of virtuous farmers elite and tradespeople Hamilton’s economic plan for the country • Loose interpretation of the • Strict interpretation of the • Jefferson later resigned from Washington’s cabinet Constitution Constitution over disagreements with Hamilton & over policy • National Bank constitutional • National bank unconstitutional matters (loose interpretation) (strict interpretation) Hamilton vs. Jefferson Development of Political Parties Contrasting Views on the Federal Government • The split in Washington’s cabinet gave rise to the nation’s Hamilton Jefferson first two political parties • Political parties formed around one of key issues in • Fear of mob rule • Fear of absolute power or ruler American history—the power and size of the federal • Economy based on shipping & • Economy based on farming & government in relation to state and local governments manufacturing agriculture – Democratic-Republicans—those who supported Jefferson’s vision of • Payment of national and state • Payment of only the national debt strong state governments (ancestors of today’s Democratic Party) debts (favoring creditors) (favoring debtors) – Federalists—those who supported Hamilton’s vision of a strong • Supporters: merchants, • Supporters: the “plain people” central government (ancestors of today’s Republican Party) manufacturers, landowners, (farmers & tradespeople) • Existence of political parties worried many political leaders, investors, lawyers, clergy including Washington—argued that political parties were a danger to national unity 3 11/16/2014 Hamilton’s Economic Plan Hamilton’s Economic Plan • As Secretary of the Treasury, • Hamilton calculated the U.S. public debt Hamilton’s job was to: in 1790 was in the millions of dollars: – set the nation’s finances in order – most of which was incurred during the Revolutionary War – put the nation’s economy on firm – the government was responsible for paying footing 2/3 of the debt and the States were • Hamilton’s Plan: responsible for paying the rest – Manage the country’s debts • The U.S. owed debt to: – Establish a national banking system – Foreign governments – Private citizens – soldiers who were promised payment plus Alexander Hamilton interest for their service in the Revolutionary Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton Federalist Secretary of the Treasury War Federalist Hamilton’s Economic Plan Bank of the United States • Hamilton’s Proposal: • Hamilton proposed the creation of a national bank: – Pay off foreign debt – Issue new bonds to pay off the old ones – Would be funded by the federal government and wealthy – Proposed that the federal government assume the debts of the states private investors • This plan favored creditors—those who made the loans – Hamilton hoped the bank would tie investors to the • Hamilton argued this would be an incentive for creditors to support the new government country’s economic well-being • NOTE: if the new government failed, these creditors would never be paid back – The bank would: • Opposition: •Issue paper money & currency (coins) – People in the South furious •Handle tax receipts and other government funds – Many Southern states already paid off most of their debts – Resented plan because they would be taxed to pay Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury off other state debts Federalist 4 11/16/2014 Hamilton Wins: Creation of the Opposition to the National Bank Bank of the United States • Opponents to the bank argued: •Hamilton asserted that creating a national bank – The bank would forge an unhealthy relationship between was necessary because he argued: the government and wealthy business interests – that while power not given to Congress to create a – Congress did not have the power to authorize the creation national bank, he argued it Congress had the of a national bank (not mentioned in the Constitution) power to do whatever is “necessary & proper” to – Debate sparked between the belief of a “loose carry out its specific enumerated powers, such as interpretation” vs. “strict interpretation” of the regulating commerce. Constitution Hamilton Convinced Washington & a majority of Congress to accept his economic views, thus establishing the Bank of the United States Building a National Capital The District of Columbia • The first temporary capital of the United States was in New • French engineer Pierre L’Enfant drew York City, NY. up pland for the new capital • To win support from the South for his economic plans, • He was later fired by Washington for Hamilton proposed the U.S. capital to be moved from being too obstinate NYC to a new city built in the South on the banks of the • Replaced by Andrew Ellicott who Potomac River. redrew L’Enfant’s plan, who kept – Southern States pleased (especially Virginians) & many, like much of his vision Jefferson & Madison believed that by moving the capital to the – Assisted by Benjamin Banneker (an South, it would be more responsive to their interests. African-American surveyor) • 1790—Hamilton’s debt plan passed through Congress • The capital was officially moved to the along with the authorization of a new capital in the District District of Columbia in 1800 and renamed Washington, D.C. following of Columbia (between Maryland & Virginia) L’Enfant’s architectural design the death of George Washington. of the national capital 5 11/16/2014 The Bill of Rights The Whiskey Rebellion: Background • Anti-Federalists clamored for the passage of a bill of rights • In 1789, Congress passed a protective tariff, an once the Constitution was ratified import tax on goods produced in Europe. • The first 10 Amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were – Tax encouraged American production & brought in a added to the Constitution in 1791 great deal of revenue for the country. – Provided safeguard of most precious
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Federalist Era Lesson 1 the First President
    NAME _____________________________________________ DATE __________________ CLASS ____________ The Federalist Era Lesson 1 The First President ESSENTIAL QUESTION Terms to Know precedent something done or said that becomes What are the characteristics of an example for others to follow a leader? cabinet a group of advisers to a president bond certificate that promises to repay borrowed GUIDING QUESTIONS money in the future—plus an additional amount of 1. What decisions did Washington and the new money, called interest Congress have to make about the new government? 2. How did the economy develop under the guidance of Alexander Hamilton? Where in the world? P o t o m MARYLAND a c R . WASHINGTON, D.C. White U.S. Supreme House Court U.S. Capitol VIRGINIA N c a W E m o t o S P Notes: per the screenshot of the map as placed in pages, the size of the map has been changed from 39p6 to 25p6, and labelsWhen resized todid comply it with happen? the approved styles DOPA (Discovering our Past - American History) 1780 1785 1790 1795 1800 RESG Chapter 08 George Washington 1789–1797 John Adams 1797–1801 Map Title: The Nation’s Capital File Name: C8_RESG_L2_01A_B.ai Map Size: 25p6 wide x 23p0 deep 1789 Washington 1800 Congress Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission is granted to reproduce for classroom use. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission 1795 Nation’s first chief Date/Proof: March 3, 2011 - 5th Proof 1791 Bill of Rights 2016 Font Update: February 20, 2015 becomes first justice, John Jay, retires meets in Capitol for president, Judiciary added to Constitution from Supreme Court first time Act passes You Are Here in 1798 Alien and Sedition Acts History pass, XYZ affair 113 NAME _____________________________________________ DATE __________________ CLASS ____________ The Federalist Era Lesson 1 The First President, Continued Washington Takes Office George Washington was the first president of the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • The American Revolution Chapter 6 99
    APTE CH R NGSSS SS.8.A.3.3 Recognize the contributions THE AMERICAN of the Founding Fathers (John Adams, Sam Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Alexander 6 Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James REVOLUTION Madison, George Mason, George Washington) during American Revolutionary efforts. ESSENTIAL QUESTION Why does conflict develop? The Revolutionary War was not George Washington’s first “The time is now near at hand time going into battle. During the French and Indian War, which must probably determine two horses were shot out from under him. He knew his whether Americans are to be troops would need to be brave. freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own…The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. GENERAL ORDERS,” 2 JULY 1776, IN J. C. FITZPATRICK ED. WRITINGS OF PHOTO: PHOTO: SuperStock/Getty Images GEORGE WASHINGTON VOL. 5 1932 [INSERT ART C00_000P_00000] fate of unborn millions What was Washington trying to say about the action of his men by using this phrase? In this speech, Washington was addressing the Continental Army. What do you think Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. was the purpose of his speech? DBQ BREAKING IT DOWN George Washington chose the words of his speech carefully. Imagine that you are an American general writing to inspire troops to go into battle today. What words would you use to make your troops feel inspired? In the space, write your own speech. netw rksTM There’s More Online! The American Revolution Chapter 6 99 099_120_DOPA_WB_C06_661734.indd 99 3/30/11 3:34 PM NGSSS SS.8.A.3.3 Recognize the ON contributions of the Founding S Fathers (John Adams, Sam Adams, S E Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, L THE WAR FOR Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Mason, George Washington) during American INDEPENDENCE Revolutionary efforts.
    [Show full text]
  • Henry Knox and the Forging of Bureaucratic Autonomy
    Henry Knox and the Forging of Bureaucratic Autonomy Stephen J. Rockwell As the Officer who is at the head of that [War] department is a branch of the Executive, and called to its Councils upon interesting questions of National importance[,] he ought to be a man, not only of competent skill in the science of War, but possessing a general knowledge of political subjects, of known attachment to the Government we have chosen, and of proved integrity. 1 So wrote President George Washington to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney in January 1794. Washington was expecting the resignation of his trusted former artillery commander and longtime secretary of war, Henry Knox, who had shepherded the War Department through the Confederation government, across the gap between the Confederation and government under the Constitution, and through tense negotiations and major military Secretary of War Henry Knox losses with Indian nations in the South and the Old Northwest. In writing to Pinckney, Washington emphasized how complex the job of a department head had become, just a few years into the new government. The successful department head required policy expertise, political acumen, general wisdom, networked loyalty to the government and its other officials, and personal integrity. Stephen J. Rockwell is a professor of Political Science at St. Joseph’s College, Patchogue, New York. This essay is based on a paper given at the annual conference of the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic, Philadelphia, PA, July 2017. He wishes to thank Lindsay Chervinsky, Joanne Freeman, Gautham Rao, Kate Brown, Jerry Landry, and Benjamin Guterman for their questions, comments, and suggestions.
    [Show full text]
  • In This Issue Upcoming Events Alexander Hamilton
    Vol 4 Issue 4 Official Publication of the Alexander Hamilton Chapter, WA, Sons of the American Revolution Apr 2018 Volume IV, Issue IV (April 2018) Official Publication of the WA State, Alexander Hamilton Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Editor: dick motz In This Issue Upcoming Events Alexander Hamilton ....................................................... 2 Revolutionary War Battles in the month of January ......... 2 Revolutionary War Quiz .................................................. 2 What is the SAR? ............................................................. 3 Message from the Vice President ..................................... 4 A Problem & a Solution ................................................... 4 5 May: WSSDAR Annual Conference, SAR Booth. Thoughts from the CG Commander .................................. 5 Location: SeaTac Red Lion Hotel (all hands invited) March Birthdays .............................................................. 5 7 May: DAR Rededication of Robert Gray Marker (4 Meeting News ................................................................. 6 CG + 1 Drummer) State Meeting Highlights ................................................. 7 Location: Ocean Shores, Coastal Interpretive Wanted/For Sale ............................................................. 10 Center, 1033 Catala Ave. S.E., 1pm Map link Special Dates in Apr 19 May: Next Chapter Meeting, Johnny’s at Fife, 9:00 AM. 1 Apr ........................... April Fool’s day 19 May: Armed Forces Day Parade, need 5 color 1 Apr ..........................
    [Show full text]
  • Lesson Title: Hamilton's
    Lesson Title: Hamilton’s War Grade Levels : 9-12 Time Allotment: Three 45-minute class periods Overview: This high school lesson plan uses video clips from REDISCOVERING ALEXANDER HAMILTON and a website featuring interactive animations of Revolutionary War battles to explore Alexander Hamilton’s military career in three different engagements: The Battle for New York The Battle of Princeton, and the Siege of Yorktown. The Introductory Activity dispels the common misconception that the Revolution was primarily fought by “minutemen” militiamen using guerilla tactics against the British, and establishes the primary role of the Continental Army in the American war effort. The Learning Activities uses student organizers to focus students’ online exploration of the battles of New York, Princeton, and Yorktown, focusing on Alexander Hamilton’s role. The Culminating Activity challenges students to create their own organizer for a different Revolutionary War battle. This lesson is best used during a unit on the American Revolution, after the key causes for the conflict have been established. Subject Matter: History Learning Objectives: Students will be able to: • Distinguish between “irregular” and “regular” military forces in the 18 th century and outline their relative merits • Explain the context and consequences for the battles of New York, Princeton, and Yorktown • Describe the general course of events in each of these actions, noting key turning points • Discuss how historical fact can sometimes be distorted or embellished for effect • Outline
    [Show full text]
  • Lessons from the Musical “Hamilton” Shanedra Nowell, Oklahoma
    The Ten-Dollar Founding Father & The American Revolution: Lessons from the musical “Hamilton” Shanedra Nowell, Oklahoma State University ([email protected]) & Lauren ​ ​ Reddout, Edmond Sequoyah Middle School ([email protected]) ​ ​ Resources Websites: https://oeta.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/hamiltons-america/#.WcKUqciGPIU http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/hamiltons-america/ https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/hamilton http://www.slj.com/2016/05/resources/teaching-with-hamilton/#_ http://www.newsweek.com/2016/02/19/hamilton-biggest-thing-broadway-being-taug ht-classrooms-all-over-424212.html http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2016/02/15/the-best-teachinglearning-resources-on-t he-musical-hamilton/ http://www.mountvernon.org/education/educational-resources-and-hamilton/ (sources for each song) https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/03/24/the-ten-dollar-founding-father-witho ut-a-father-teaching-and-learning-with-hamilton/?mcubz=0 (primary sources also ​ paired with songs) https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/08/04/education/edlife/high-school-hami lton-quiz.html?mcubz=0 https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/hamilton/memory.html (Library of Congress ​ Alexander Hamilton collection of primary sources) Yorktown- Nathional Park Service https://www.nps.gov/york/index.htm & ​ ​ https://www.nps.gov/york/learn/historyculture/hamiltonbio.htm Videos: Top 10 Best Hamilton Songs: https://youtu.be/bhwv5-tFUJM ​ The Rap on 'Hamilton': American History Meets Hip Hop: https://youtu.be/zh8rIcRoMp8 Rapping, deconstructed:
    [Show full text]
  • Direct Quotes from Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, George Mason and Patrick Henry
    Educational materials were developed through the Teaching American History in Baltimore City Program, a partnership between the Baltimore City Public School System and the Center for History Education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Resource Sheet #6 Direct Quotes from Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, George Mason and Patrick Henry Patrick Henry June, 1788 from a speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention 1. That this is a consolidated Government is demonstrably clear, and the danger of such a Government, is, to my mind, very striking. 2. I need not take much pains to show, that the principles of this system, are extremely dangerous. 3. Here is a revolution as radical as that which separated us from Great Britain. It is as radical, if in this transition our rights and privileges are endangered, and the sovereignty of the States be relinquished: And cannot we plainly see, that this is the case? 4. The English Government is founded on Self­love. This powerful irresistible stimulus of self­love has saved that government… Where is the rock of your salvation? The real rock of political salvation is self­love perpetuated from age to age in every human breast, and manifested in every action. If they can stand the temptations of human nature, you are safe. If you have a good President, Senators and Representatives, there is no danger. – But can this be expected from human nature? A good President, or Senator, or Representative, will have a natural weakness.­ Virtue will slumber. The wicked will be continually watching: Consequently, you will be undone. Reprinted with Permission from Chicago University Press http://press­pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch8s38.html.
    [Show full text]
  • The Price of Greatness: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and the Creation of American Oligarchy'
    H-FedHist Brannon on Cost, 'The Price of Greatness: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and the Creation of American Oligarchy' Review published on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 Jay Cost. The Price of Greatness: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and the Creation of American Oligarchy. New York: Basic Books, 2018. 256 pp. $27.00 (paper),ISBN 978-1-5416-9746-1. Reviewed by Rebecca Brannon (James Madison University) Published on H-FedHist (August, 2021) Commissioned by Caryn E. Neumann (Miami University of Ohio Regionals) Printable Version: https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.php?id=53686 The Price of Greatness is a tightly written (short) book that takes on a difficult subject. As Jay Cost notes in the introduction, James Madison’s evolution over time from an advocate of greater federal power to an avowed opponent of projects of federal strength is either mystifying or hypocritical, depending on your perspective. Cost argues that Madison’s progression from Federalist and ally of Alexander Hamilton to staunch opponent of centralized fiscal power was motivated by his concerns for ensuring all people equal access to and benefit from their government. All along his concern for checks and balances was part of a system determined to stymie government capture. Jay Cost is a conservative pundit and writer who left the Republican Party in 2016 over the nomination of Donald J. Trump for president. This work tries to understand how on earth we came to this moment in American politics and life. When the book came out in 2018, it clearly attempted to explain how the tensions existent in the American democratic experiment from the very beginning have only inflated since the founding moment.
    [Show full text]
  • Decimation, Rejuvenation, Motivation: How Disease and Murder Set the Stage at Saratoga
    University at Albany, State University of New York Scholars Archive History Honors College 12-2015 Decimation, Rejuvenation, Motivation: How Disease and Murder Set the Stage at Saratoga Nicolas Soto University at Albany, State University of New York Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/honorscollege_history Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Soto, Nicolas, "Decimation, Rejuvenation, Motivation: How Disease and Murder Set the Stage at Saratoga" (2015). History. 8. https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/honorscollege_history/8 This Honors Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors College at Scholars Archive. It has been accepted for inclusion in History by an authorized administrator of Scholars Archive. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 1 Nicolas Soto DECIMATION, REJUVENATION, MOTIVATION: HOW DISEASE AND MURDER SET THE STAGE AT SARATOGA Imagine your worst fear. Now imagine being killed and scalped in your wedding attire on the way to meet your fiancé. Your fear does not probably seem so bad now, right? Adding on to it, imagine that you were sick with smallpox while on your journey. You would be walking around with a terrible disease which eats away at the body and eventually kills you. These are not fears which we can imagine as vividly as the colonists in the 1770s could. Smallpox and being scalped were legitimate worries of the time for American colonists. Murder and disease ran rampant throughout the colonies. Not to mention the fact that they were embroiled in a revolution with the British Empire to pile on the misery.
    [Show full text]
  • Alexander Hamilton on the $10 Bill: How He Got There and Why It Matters by Brian Phillips Murphy
    Alexander Hamilton on the $10 Bill: How He Got There and Why It Matters by Brian Phillips Murphy 2015 was a big year for Alexander Hamilton. Nearly two hundred eleven years after the nation’s first treasury secretary was shot and killed in a duel with then Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr, an Off Broadway play opened at the Public Theater in New York City’s East Village to rave reviews and sold-out houses. The brainchild of Tony Award–winning playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton had an extended run and remained the toughest ticket to score in town. By the summer, the hip-hop–infused musical was bound for a bigger home on Broadway, having created a boom of interest in all things Alexander Hamilton. Then along came the Treasury Department to spoil the party. In June, Jack Lew—the 75th person to succeed Hamilton as treasury secretary—announced a surprise plan to bump his predecessor’s portrait from the face of the $10 bill by the year 2020 so that a Alexander Hamilton by John Trumbull, 1805 (City woman could appear on the nation’s paper money. Hall Portrait Collection, Public Design Commission He asked people to submit names for consideration of the City of New York) during the summer and even asked people to begin using a hashtag on Facebook and Twitter: #TheNew10. Currency redesigns are nothing new in the history of US paper money. In fact, they are fairly frequent; new security features like holograms, special threads with printed numbers and “USA,” and watermarks are added every seven years or so to keep up with new technologies used by counterfeiters.
    [Show full text]
  • Alexander Hamilton: the $10 Note Brochure
    ALEXANDER HAMILTON FOUNDING FATHER OF THE UNITED STATES Alexander Hamilton • John Trumbull after Giuseppe Ceracchi • 1806 • Oil on canvas National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Henry Cabot Lodge OBSERVATION AND ANALYSIS: • What adjectives would you use to describe how Hamilton is represented in the painted portrait? • How can we use this portrait of Hamilton to determine the era in which he lived? • Compare Hamilton’s portrait to his image on the $10 note. • Write a persuasive essay responding to the following question: Why was Alexander Hamilton chosen to be represented on the $10 note? ALEXANDER HAMILTON Born in the West Indies, Alexander Hamilton was orphaned at a young age. During his adolescence, he gained knowledge about international commerce while working as an accounting clerk for a local businessman. Hamilton moved to America in 1772 to attend King’s College (now Columbia University). Shortly after arriving, he began to speak in favor of American independence at public gatherings and to write revolutionary essays. It was while fighting in the Revolutionary War that he first caught the attention of General George Washington, who made Hamilton a trusted adviser. Hamilton assisted in the ratification of the Constitution after America gained its independence from England. Alongside John Jay and James Madison, he co-authored the Federalist Papers in the late 1780s. The three men used these essays to defend ratifying the Constitution and to argue that a central government would preserve the Union and act firmly in the interests of the nation. Impressed with Hamilton’s expertise in economics, George Washington named him the first Secretary of the Treasury.
    [Show full text]
  • Alexander Hamilton & Isaac Ledyard, Pamphlet War on the Postwar
    MAKING THE REVOLUTION: AMERICA, 1763-1791 PRIMARY SOURCE COLLECTION A Pamphlet War on the Library of Congress Postwar Treatment of Loyalists by PHOCION & MENTOR (Alexander Hamilton & Isaac Ledyard) NEW YORK, 1784 EXCERPTS * The war was over. The Patriots had won, the British were leaving, and the Loyalists were . still there. How to deal with the British supporters was a vexing issue that tested the nation’s professed stand for liberty and justice. Let them live among us or expel them? Remove their citizenship or urge their return to the body politic? Troubling and divisive questions for Patriots, especially in New York City, which had been a Loyalist refuge and British wartime headquarters. Shunned and despised, the Loyalists were con- demned as traitors who deserved only vengeance. Harsh new laws restricted their civil rights and property claims. Into this toxic atmos- phere came an unexpected advocate of moderationAlexander Hamilton, who as a college student had engaged in his first pamphlet war and who had served as Washington’s trusted aide-de-camp during the war. Fearing harm to the fragile new nation from the 1 extremism of impassioned victors, Hamilton entered the fray. A Patriot (right) raises a knife against a Loyalist trying to A lawyer, Hamilton defended over forty New York Loyalists in law- replace the Patriot banner (depicting a pine tree and topped suits filed by Patriots whose property had been taken by Loyalists with a liberty cap, signifying America) with a Loyalist banner during the war. He argued that legalized retribution violated the depicting the British lion. Cartouche detail of a 1776 French peace treaty with Britain and opened the door for homegrown map of Boston.1 tyranny and mass violation of citizens’ rights.
    [Show full text]