Introduction
George Washington traveled to New York City in April of 1789 to take the oath of office as the first president of the United States. He and Congress faced a huge task – setting up an entirely new government. The principles of the U.S. Constitution and the new government itself were based on Enlightenment philosophies and republican ideals. However, no one really knew for certain if a government based on the will of the people could actually work!
Watch the video George Washington | 60-Second Presidents (1:15) below for a brief overview of Washington and his life. Then, review the timeline of the early United States government: A New System of Government – Key Events.
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Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...
- Examine Alexander Hamilton's and Thomas Jefferson's conflicting views, which led to the development of political parties
- Compare the Federalist and Democratic-Republican political parties, including their differing interpretations of the Constitution
Essential Questions
- What domestic and foreign issues did George Washington face during his administration as the first president of the United States?
Enduring Understandings
- Determining effective foreign and domestic policy was essential in establishing the United States as a world power.
The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: United States History I standards: 4.1, 4.4, and 5.1.