Discussion 9-1 US History ~ Chapter 9 Topic Discussions E Lundberg Topic of Discussion – George Washington Related Topics Chapter Information ~ Ch 9; 3 sections; 21 pages The Office of the President and his Cabinet Launching a New Republic (1789-1800) Section 1 ~ Washington's Presidency Pages 312-317 Vice President John Adams responsibility Section 2 ~ Challenges to the New Government Pages 318-325 Washington’s view on political parties Section 3 ~ The Federalists in Charge Pages 326-332 Washington’s view on foreign relations Washington’s farewell speech Key Ideas Key Connections - 10 Major (Common) Themes 1. How cultures change through the blending of different ethnic groups. Washington was well respected as a unanimous choice 2. Taking the land. 3. The individual versus the state. As the first president, Washington set the precedent 4. The quest for equity - slavery and it’s end, women’s suffrage etc. 5. Sectionalism. Washington was concerned about the power of the 6. Immigration and Americanization. 7. The change in social class. Presidency, he did not want another King 8. Technology developments and the environment. 9. Relations with other nations. Washington warned the country about political parties 10. Historiography, how we know things. Washington stressed international isolationism Talking Points I Introduction 1. George Washington is called as the ‘Father of United States, as he played an important role in fighting for United States of America. Washington led the colonial forces in the revolutionary war. He is considered an important person in the history of United States as he helped to gain 13 colonies independent from the British. He was popular for his perseverance and determination. 2. Washington was an efficient General of the Army. There was a time when the soldiers were not paid by the congress and the soldiers rebelled against the congress. Washington as the General of Army encouraged them and convinced them that the nation needs their help in fighting. He also said that he himself will not take the pay until they win the war. The soldiers could understand the importance of the war at that time and did not talk about revolution any more. 3. As an individual, Washington is a man with great manners and humility. The country people wanted to see him as a King, but he wanted to show a different kind of government to the people. The country elected Washington as their President in the year 1789. George Washington was elected unanimously. Washington served the country for two terms which is for 8 years. When the people wanted to see him as President for the third term, he was not interested and returned to look after the plantation in his native land. 4. After sometime he returned to join as the commander in chief of the Army. He worked as Chief of Army from 1775 to 1783. Washington believed in strong federal government and could estab- lish it for the period of eight years during his tenure. Washington could suppress the Whiskey rebellion in 1794. He sent troops to Pennsylvania farmers to convince them as they were not Questions to Think About Supporting Materials Why was George Washington so popular at the time? Washington, a Life by Chernow As first president, what concerns did he have about the George Washington, by Thayer direction of a new nation? George Washington: The Crossing by Levin Why didn’t Washington want to get involved in foreign His Excellency: George Washington , by Ellis relations? Discussion 9-1 US History ~ Chapter 9 Topic Discussions E Lundberg Topic of Discussion – George Washington Related Topics Chapter Information ~ Ch 9; 3 sections; 21 pages The Office of the President and his Cabinet Launching a New Republic (1789-1800) Section 1 ~ Washington's Presidency Pages 312-317 Vice President John Adams responsibility Section 2 ~ Challenges to the New Government Pages 318-325 Washington’s view on political parties Section 3 ~ The Federalists in Charge Pages 326-332 Washington’s view on foreign relations Washington’s farewell speech Key Ideas Key Connections - 10 Major (Common) Themes 1. How cultures change through the blending of different ethnic groups. Washington was well respected as a unanimous choice 2. Taking the land. 3. The individual versus the state. As the first president, Washington set the precedent 4. The quest for equity - slavery and it’s end, women’s suffrage etc. 5. Sectionalism. Washington was concerned about the power of the 6. Immigration and Americanization. 7. The change in social class. Presidency, he did not want another King 8. Technology developments and the environment. 9. Relations with other nations. Washington warned the country about political parties 10. Historiography, how we know things. Washington stressed international isolationism Talking Points ready to pay the taxes. He proclaimed the Neutrality in 1793, which stated that US would be im- partial towards aggressive powers who were participating in the war. His idea of neutrality was shown again in 1796 during his farewell address when he insisted to be careful with foreign en- tanglements. This message for security became a part of American political landscape. II George Washington 1. Washington was born on February 22, 1732. He lost his father at age 11 and his half brother, Lawrence, took over that role. Washington's mother was protective and demanding, keeping him from joining the British navy as Lawrence wanted. Lawrence owned Mount Vernon, and George lived with him from the age of 16. He was schooled entirely in Colonial Virginia and never went to college. He was good at math which suited his chosen profession of surveying. 2. In 1749, Washington was appointed as surveyor for Culpepper County, Virginia after a trek for Lord Fairfax into the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was in the military from 1752-8 before being elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1759. He spoke against Britain's policies and be- came a leader in the Association. From 1774-5 he attended both Continental Congresses. He led the Continental Army from 1775-1783 during the American Revolution. He then became the president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. 3. Washington joined the Virginia militia in 1752. He created and then was forced to surrender Fort Necessity to the French. He resigned from the military in 1754 and rejoined in 1766 as an aide- Questions to Think About Supporting Materials Why was George Washington so popular at the time? Washington, a Life by Chernow As first president, what concerns did he have about the George Washington, by Thayer direction of a new nation? George Washington: The Crossing by Levin Why didn’t Washington want to get involved in foreign His Excellency: George Washington , by Ellis relations? Discussion 9-1 US History ~ Chapter 9 Topic Discussions E Lundberg Topic of Discussion – George Washington Related Topics Chapter Information ~ Ch 9; 3 sections; 21 pages The Office of the President and his Cabinet Launching a New Republic (1789-1800) Section 1 ~ Washington's Presidency Pages 312-317 Vice President John Adams responsibility Section 2 ~ Challenges to the New Government Pages 318-325 Washington’s view on political parties Section 3 ~ The Federalists in Charge Pages 326-332 Washington’s view on foreign relations Washington’s farewell speech Key Ideas Key Connections - 10 Major (Common) Themes 1. How cultures change through the blending of different ethnic groups. Washington was well respected as a unanimous choice 2. Taking the land. 3. The individual versus the state. As the first president, Washington set the precedent 4. The quest for equity - slavery and it’s end, women’s suffrage etc. 5. Sectionalism. Washington was concerned about the power of the 6. Immigration and Americanization. 7. The change in social class. Presidency, he did not want another King 8. Technology developments and the environment. 9. Relations with other nations. Washington warned the country about political parties 10. Historiography, how we know things. Washington stressed international isolationism Talking Points de-camp to General Edward Braddock. When Braddock was killed during the French and Indian War (1754-63), he managed to stay calm and keep the unit together as they retreated. 4. Washington was unanimously named Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. This army was no match for the British regulars and Hessians. He led them to significant victories such as the capture of Boston along with major defeats including the loss of New York City. After the winter at Valley Forge (1777), the French recognized American Independence. Baron von Steuben arrived and began training his troops. This help led to increased victories and the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781. 5. Despite being a member of the Federalist Party, Washington was immensely popular as a war hero and was an obvious choice as the first president for both federalists and anti-federalists. He was unanimously elected by the 69 electors. His runner up, John Adams, was named Vice Presi- dent. 6. George Washington was able to rise above the politics of the day and carry every electoral vote - 132 from 15 states - to win a second term. John Adams, as runner-up, remained the Vice Presi- dent. 7. Washington did not run a third time. He retired to Mount Vernon. He was again asked to be the American commander if the US went to war with France over the XYZ affair. However, fighting never occurred on land and he did not have to serve. He died on December 14, 1799 possibly from a streptococcal infection of his throat made worse from being bled