The document provides biographical and political information about the first 6 US Presidents from George Washington to Andrew Jackson. It discusses their backgrounds, key events and policies during their presidencies, including establishing precedents, creating political parties, dealing with foreign conflicts, westward expansion, and interactions with Native Americans. Economic and judicial reforms are also summarized for each president's time in office.

1. THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENTS GEORGE WASHINGTON TO ANDREW JACKSON George Washington Thomas Jefferson John Adams James Madison James Monroe John Quincy Adams Andrew Jackson

6. American farmers protesting the Whiskey Tax: Many western farmers made whiskey out of corn. They felt the tax was unfair. They would tar and feather tax collectors who came to collect the tax money.

7. The Growth of Political Parties : During Washington’s Presidency political parties began to emerge. Many Americans have different opinions about the direction of government policy. This difference in opinion caused the creation of political parties. Political parties began in 1792 in the US. POLITICAL PARTY : Groups organized to promote specific political goals and support candidates for office. A. Political parties develop : Under Washington, people did not agree on what the government could do or how much power it should have. -Thomas Jefferson believed that Alexander Hamilton was making the government to powerful. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison formed the Democratic-Republican Party . This party was supported mainly by farmers and they believed that the government should be kept small and it should follow the Constitution word for word (strict interpretation). -Alexander Hamilton supported a strong national government. He and John Adams created the Federalist Party . This party was supported by business and manufacturing people in the east. This party favored a loose interpretation of the Constitution. B. Washington remains popular with both parties : Pres. Washington did not become involved in the political parties that were being created. He was reelected as President in 1792.

8. Federalists : Democratic-Republicans :

9. Problems with France and Britain : During Washington’s 2nd term in office, problems arose with France and Great Britain. A. The French Revolution leads to wars within Europe : In 1789, the French Revolution broke out in France. Many Americans supported this revolution because it was the lower and middle class people revolting against the nobility and rulers of France. -Soon, many Americans stopped supporting the French because the French Revolution turned to violence and thousands of innocent people (women and children) were being executed just because they were nobles. -The US government issues the Neutrality Proclamation in 1793 as a way to stay out of any European wars that might be started due to the French Revolution. -This document declared that the US would remain neutral in any war. The US would continue trade all nations of Europe, regardless of warfare. NEUTRAL : To not take a side. B. The British seize American ships and sailors : During this period of time, the British Navy did not want the US to trade with France. The British Navy began to stop American ships bound for French ports. Some American ships were seized or taken and some sailors were impressed into the British Navy. -The US government became very angry with Great Britain. IMPRESSED : The practice by the British of forcing American sailors to serve in the British Navy.

10. C. Britain maintains forts on the American border : Americans were also angry at the British because they still had military forts along the American frontier. They were supposed to leave the forts after the American Revolution, but they did not. They stayed because they had help from local Native American tribes who fought with the Americans. D. The Indians suffer a defeat : During the presidency of Washington, fighting had taken place between Native Americans and Americans in the Northwest Territory. Washington sent General Anthony Wayne into the territory to stop the Native Americans. -The US defeated a Native American force of about 2,000 at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794 . -The Native American tribes (Shawnee, Ottawa, and Chippewa) who lost the battle were forced to sign the Treaty of Greenville. Under this treaty, they agreed to give up their land and move westward.

11. Settling Differences with Foreign Powers : Without the help of the Native Americans, the British could not maintain control of the area along the American frontier. The British asked to talk with the American government. A. John Jay makes a treaty to keep peace : John Jay went to Britain and reached an agreement known as Jay’s Treaty . -The British agree to give up their forts along the American frontier. B. Pinckney’s Treaty settles differences with Spain : The Spanish were worried that the American government might try to take over the Spanish colonies in the America’s. -Thomas Pinckney goes to Spain to discuss a treaty. He reaches an agreement known as Pinckney’s Treaty . -This treaty gave Americans the right to travel on the Mississippi River, to go through New Orleans, and it set the boundary between Florida and Georgia. C. Washington retires : In 1796, Washington ended his 2nd term in office and decided not to run for reelection. -He gave his Farewell Address and said that he would not run for a 3rd term in office. This set a precedent that many other presidents followed. PRECEDENT : An example set by one person that becomes standard practice for others.

14. Trouble at Home : During the 1790’s, political parties were fighting each other for political power. A. Congress limits personal freedoms : In 1798, Congress passed a set of laws called the Alien and Sedition Acts . - Alien Act : Increased the length of time (5 to 14 years) newcomers had to live in the US in order to gain citizenship. - Sedition Act : Outlawed sedition. ALIEN : Foreigners in a country. SEDITION : Saying anything false or critical about the government. B. Jefferson leads opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts : Many people in the gov’t saw these laws as a clear threat to American freedom. -Jefferson and James Madison wrote resolutions challenging the federal government’s power. These resolutions are known as the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions. -These resolutions said that states do not have to accept or follow unconstitutional laws passed by Congress. States could nullify such laws. NULLIFY : To cancel a law. -Jefferson gains a great deal of popularity in the US by opposing these laws.

17. Westward Expansion : Jefferson encouraged Americans to move westward. He also took steps to increase the size of the US. -Even before the American Revolution, Americans were moving west beyond the Appalachian Mountains. In the 1770’s, Daniel Boone opened the Wilderness Road into Kentucky and Tennessee. Vermont became the 14 th state in 1791. Kentucky became the 15 th state in 1791 and Tennessee became the 16 th state in 1796. -After the American Revolution, westward movement increases a great deal. -Settlers move into Northwest Territory and Mississippi Territory. -Ohio became the 17 th state in 1803. Buying Louisiana : Jefferson sent delegates to buy Louisiana from the French. Napoleon Bonaparte decided to sell the territory to the US for $15 million. -The Louisiana Territory became part of the US in 1803. Doubled the size of the US. -Jefferson sent a group of explorers to explore, map, and write about the new territory. The group was led by Lewis and Clark. They explored this area between 1804-1806. -Americans began moving into this area because of their reports of rich land, thick forests, fresh water, and animal life.

18. By the late 1700’s, Americans were moving westward towards the Mississippi River. New territories and states were being created out of this area.

19. Between 1804 and 1806, Lewis and Clark explored the Louisiana Territory and reached the Pacific Ocean. Their reports about this land encouraged thousands of Americans to move westward beyond the Mississippi River.

20. Growing Conflict with Britain : During the early 1800’s, the US tried to remain neutral while France and Britain fought each other in Europe. The US continued to trade with both nations. -Both nations seized American merchant ships. The British impressed American sailors into the British Navy. -1807: Congresses passes the Embargo Act . Under this law, American merchants could not trade with any foreign nations. American merchants lost a lot of money. -1809: The US passes the Non-Intercourse Act . Under this law, American merchants could not trade with Britain or France.

21. Native American Troubles : Americans were angry with the British because they supplied weapons to the Native Americans on the frontier and encouraged them to fight with the US. -The Native Americans were willing to fight against Americans because they felt that Americans were illegally taking away their land. -As Americans moved west, they forced Native Americans from their land. -Native Americans resisted this attempt to take their land. -Tecumseh: A Shawnee chief organized an alliance of N.A. tribes in order to fight the US. -1811: Battle of Tippecanoe : American army under command of William Henry Harrison defeated the N.A. alliance. -Many Americans held the British responsible for the hostilities with the N.A. * Many Americans were very angry with the British : 1. Seizing American merchant ships at sea. 2. Impressing American sailors. 3. Giving weapons to the Native Americans on our frontier. They were using the weapons to attack American settlements on the frontier.

23. Madison’s Presidency: 1809-1817 The War of 1812 : Many members of Congress wanted to go to war with Britain. These men were known as the “War Hawks.” -Congress declared war on Britain in 1812. -US was not prepared for war: Less than 7,000 soldiers in army, little combat experience, small navy, divided public opinion -British blockaded the American coast. -British army invades the US: Burned Washington D.C. -British attack Ft. McHenry: Francis Scott Key writes Star-Spangled Banner. -1812: USS Constitution defeats British ship.

24. -By 1814, the war had become a stand-off. Neither side was going to win. -The US and Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent that ended the war. -Before the treaty was made public in the US, the American Army under General Andrew Jackson defeated a British army at the Battle of New Orleans.

26. Results of the War of 1812 : When the war ended in 1815, Europeans had a new respect for the United States. The US was stronger than ever before. 1. Greater sense of nationalism in the US. 2. US economy grew and expanded. Americans more prosperous than before. Manufacturing increased 3. Republican party increases power in gov’t.

30. Missouri Compromise : 1. Maine enters as a free state. 2. Missouri enters as a slave state. (This keeps the balance.) 3. Slavery allowed south of 36°30’North latitude line and not allowed north. 1. 2. 3.

31. Florida : Between 1810 and 1824, Spain lost control of its American colonies. The United States benefited from this because we were able to acquire Florida. -President Monroe began a policy designed to end European influence and involvement in American affairs. -1819: United States paid $5 million to Spain for Florida and acquired it in the Adams-Onis Treaty . The Monroe Doctrine (1823): President Monroe announced a new policy that the US gov’t would follow. This policy is known as the Monroe Doctrine. 1. The US would stay out of European affairs. 2. Europe was to stay out of the Western Hemisphere (the America’s). 3. The US would oppose any European attempt to colonize the America’s.

34. Shipping costs greatly reduced by using the Erie Canal. -Easier to transport by water. -Could transport more by boat than land. -Faster than land. Statistics : -363 miles long. -84 locks. -dug by hand. -Water: 4 feet deep -28-40 feet wide

35. Mules or horses pulled boats along the canal. -Pathways were on both sides of the canal for pulling boats in both directions.

37. The Erie Canal was built by hand over an 8 year period of time. New York State Governor DeWitt Clinton poured a container of water from Lake Erie into New York Harbor during the opening ceremony of the canal.

38. Locks were used to get boats up and down between different levels of water.

39. Canal boat loaded with hay. Horse being unloaded from canal boat. Boys playing hockey in winter on canal. Canal boat being pulled by mule team.

40. Erie Canal going crossing streams by using aqueducts.

44. -Daniel Webster of Massachusetts argued against States’ Rights and said the Constitution created a gov’t where the federal gov’t was stronger than the state governments. -Congress reduced the tariff to satisfy the South. The southern states were still not happy with the lower tariff. -South Carolina threatened to secede from the union. SECEDE : To withdraw. -Congress passed a new law lowing the tariff again. South Carolina was satisfied and conflict was avoided. Daniel Webster

48. -The Cherokee were referred to the “Civilized Tribe” because they tried to fit in with the “white” culture. They adopted many customs of the white culture. -Farming. -Schools. -Living in “European” style houses. -European style clothing. -They built a town called Echota in Georgia. -John Ross was their chief.

49. Printing press in the town of Echota. John Ross on his plantation. -He owned slaves to do the work on his land.

50. American soldiers rounding up Cherokee families. Cherokee families on the “Trail of Tears”.

51. The Cherokee and other Indian tribes would settle on reservations set up the US gov’t. It was General Winfield Scott who carried out the Indian Removal plan of the US gov’t.

52. Andrew Jackson was the President of the United States from 1829-1837. By the end of his 2 nd term of office, sectional differences were becoming very clear within the United States. Many issues were causing tension between the northern, southern, and western states. Some of the issues included: 1. Tariffs 3. Native Americans 2. Slavery 4. Governmental powers After Andrew Jackson, several presidents will be elected that will be unable to resolve these issues. The sectional differences will continue to grow during the following presidencies. 8. Martin Van Buren:1837-1841 9. William Henry Harrison: 1841 (Died after one month of pneumonia.) 10. John Tyler: 1841-1845 11. James Polk: 1845-1849 12. Zachary Taylor: 1849-1850 13. Millard Fillmore: 1850-1853 14. Franklin Pierce: 1853-1857 15. James Buchanan: 1857-1861 16. Abraham Lincoln: 1861-1865