The Presidency of Both Washington and Jefferson ensured a Strong Foundation for the United States Government.

The United States were founded when many men acted as one. Together the founding fathers started a rebellion against the then current world power, succeeded, and established a working government. The actions of these men helped stabilize the young country. The strong foundations set by Washington’s administration, and then stood upon by Jefferson’s, guaranteed a stable United States after the Constitution.

Washington’s administration was marked with firsts that then became standards. Once taking office, Washington created the Presidential Cabinet, naming Jefferson his secretary of state, framing the executive branch for future administrations. Washington’s Congress also created the court system, establishing the three part government described in the Constitution. The adoption of Hamilton’s financial plan, through a loose interpretation of the Constitution, set forth a motion to centralize and pay off debts from the Revolution, which helped to avoid a financial crisis in the United States. Handling the French Revolution passively, Washington called for neutrality, keeping the young nation from entering a foreign war it was not prepared to fight.

The original treaty of the Louisiana Purchase

Signing Peace Treaties, Washington (LOC)

Washington DC

The Jay, Pinckney, and Greenville Treaties helped safe guard the American Frontiers for future exploration. With the passing of the Public Land Act Washington established how new land would be sold, and during his administration added three new states to the union once again proving the Constitution in practice. Washington proved the lasting authority of the new government through the handling of Whisky Rebellion and its efficiency without causing any bloodshed. The concrete was laid by Washington’s Administration, solidifying a strong foundation for the United States.

Jefferson utilized Washington’s actions to advance himself politically. After Washington’s proclamation of neutrality Jefferson, who was an open supporter of the French Revolution having spent much time as a diplomat in France, resigned from his cabinet position. Using this disagreement, along with farmers’ distrust of the Financial Plan and distaste of Washington’s use of force in the Whisky Rebellion, Jefferson created the two party system. This two party system ensured another set of checks in the growing government creating more stability. With these foundations Jefferson’s Democratic - Republican Party prospered, ensuring his election as third president. Jefferson’s intuitive thinking helped advance his political career.

The clean transfer of power from one political party to the next during Jefferson’s election to the presidency proved the strength of the new republic. But even with this change present, Jefferson as president differed from the Jefferson that started his political party. His Administration continued to practice the proclamation of neutrality and maintain the financial plan set forth by Washington, both of which he had once opposed. These decisions continued to keep the young nation paying its debt, and out foreign war. One of Jefferson’s most memorable achievements, The Louisiana Purchase, also showed a change from strict to loose interoperation of the Constitution which he had once opposed when Hamilton’s Financial Plan was passed. The radical Jefferson who had left Washington’s cabinet, established a second political party, and intern took power of the budding nation showed many of ideas set upon from Washington’s administration in his own. Jefferson’s acceptance of Federalist programs and return to practiced ideas helped to set in stone the foundation established by Washington’s Administration.

The strong foundations set by Washington’s administration, and then stood upon by Jefferson’s, guaranteed a stable United States after the Constitution.

The American Pageant 11 ed, Thomas BaileyUS History Preparing for the AP Exam, John Newman

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