George Washington American President

The French Problem

The Whiskey Rebellion

Washington’s Farewell Address

Washington and The Presidency Unanimously elected

president by electoral college

He brings dignity, strength, and a sense of purpose to the office

Knows that he will set precedents concerning the office and how government operates

Those Crazy French! In 1789 the French Revolution occurs. The

United States supports it until the bourgeoisie are being executed at the guillotine.

The French Revolution is responsible for a war that involves many nations from Europe who are tied up in numerous alliances.

The Guillotine

Washington on Alliances Washington does not want the United

States dragged into the war in Europe caused by the French revolution.

To avoid warfare, the Neutrality Act of 1793 barred ships of nations fighting from American ports.

American merchants will trade with both the British and the French. The economy booms!

The “Citizen”Genêt Affair French diplomat Edmond Genêt visits in

1793 the United States to raise money and recruit privateers to fight the British.

He publicly challenges Congress to debate the Neutrality Act. He hopes that Congress will side with the French and declare war with the British.

Washington will send Genêt back to France.

George Washington vs. “Citizen” Edmond Genêt

Jay’s Treaty 1794

British have seized 250 American ships and have impressed thousands of American sailors.

The treaty demands that the United States pay British debts from the war and that British ships can seize French goods on American ships.

American sailors captured by a British warship.

Jay’s Treaty 1794 John Jay is sent to

negotiate peace with England

England agrees to the treaty because America is indebt to them and agrees to remove their forts from America

But they refuse to call the seas neutral for others

Pinckney’s Treaty, 1795 Fearing and alliance

between America and England the Spanish offers free navigation of the Mississippi and the right to land in New Orleans

Both sides promised no to entice Indian attacks on each other

The treaty also settled the boundary disputes over Florida

The Ohio Question Desire to move West

continues to plague the government English forts still on

American soil Indians are attacking

American settlers in Ohio Valley

Americans in West feel government is ignoring them

The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 A Whiskey Tax was

placed to collect money on whiskey. Poor farmers complain that they are already taxed because they use corn to produce the Whiskey!

They will rebel against local sheriffs who enforce tax

Washington reviewing troops.

The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 The farmers threaten to burn Pittsburgh Washington leads a large federal force to

confront farmers, at the sight of Washington’s army they flee

People will now respect the federal government

Washington’s Farewell Address Washington warned of the

“baneful effects of the spirit of party”.

That the United States should actively pursue “extending commercial relations”.

And avoid “as little political connection as possible with” foreign nations. “Peace and prosperity.”