The Foundations of the United States Government

In this assignment, you will explore the early efforts to establish a stable national government in the United States and the ideological differences between two of its founding figures, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Understanding these foundational steps and debates will provide insight into the development of the American political system and the formation of political parties.

Group 1

This section focuses on the steps taken during the Washington administration and the First and Second Congresses to establish a stable national government. 



        One major action taken by the Washington administration to create a stable national government was the development of the U.S. financial system. In 1790, President George Washington appointed Alexander Hamilton as the first Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton came up with a plan to manage the country’s debts from the Revolutionary War and to create a national bank. This plan helped the economy grow and made the government more trustworthy to other nations and investors. By organizing the nation’s finances, Washington’s administration laid the groundwork for a strong and stable government.

        In addition to the financial system, the Judiciary Act of 1789 helped strengthen the national government. This law set up the federal court system, which made sure that laws were followed fairly and equally in all states. The act created a Supreme Court with six justices and set up lower courts to handle legal cases. By creating a clear system for courts to follow, it helped solve problems and kept the government strong by making sure everyone followed the law.

        Another important step was the Bill of Rights, passed in 1791. The Bill of Rights is made up of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and it protected important rights and freedoms. For example, the First Amendment made sure people could speak freely, practice their religion, and publish newspapers without fear of government punishment. The Second Amendment gave people the right to own weapons, which was important for protection. The Fourth Amendment made sure people couldn’t be searched or have their homes entered without a good reason. These rights were important to Americans who worried about the government becoming too powerful. The Bill of Rights helped build trust in the new government by protecting people’s freedoms.

These actions—the financial system, the Judiciary Act of 1789, and the Bill of Rights—helped create a strong, fair, and lasting national government that respected people’s rights.

Question 1a

Short answer
Identify one major action taken by the Washington administration to establish a stable national government.
        One major action taken by the Washington administration to create a stable national government was the development of the U.S. financial system. In 1790, President George Washington appointed Alexander Hamilton as the first Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton came up with a plan to manage the country’s debts from the Revolutionary War and to create a national bank. This plan helped the economy grow and made the government more trustworthy to other nations and investors. By organizing the nation’s finances, Washington’s administration laid the groundwork for a strong and stable government.

        In addition to the financial system, the Judiciary Act of 1789 helped strengthen the national government. This law set up the federal court system, which made sure that laws were followed fairly and equally in all states. The act created a Supreme Court with six justices and set up lower courts to handle legal cases. By creating a clear system for courts to follow, it helped solve problems and kept the government strong by making sure everyone followed the law.

        Another important step was the Bill of Rights, passed in 1791. The Bill of Rights is made up of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and it protected important rights and freedoms. For example, the First Amendment made sure people could speak freely, practice their religion, and publish newspapers without fear of government punishment. The Second Amendment gave people the right to own weapons, which was important for protection. The Fourth Amendment made sure people couldn’t be searched or have their homes entered without a good reason. These rights were important to Americans who worried about the government becoming too powerful. The Bill of Rights helped build trust in the new government by protecting people’s freedoms.

These actions—the financial system, the Judiciary Act of 1789, and the Bill of Rights—helped create a strong, fair, and lasting national government that respected people’s rights.
History.com Editors. (2020, August 21). Alexander Hamilton and the financial revolution. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/alexander-hamilton National Archives. (n.d.). Judiciary Act of 1789. U.S. National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/judact.html

Question 1b

Short answer
Explain how the Judiciary Act of 1789 contributed to the stability of the national government.
        One major action taken by the Washington administration to create a stable national government was the development of the U.S. financial system. In 1790, President George Washington appointed Alexander Hamilton as the first Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton came up with a plan to manage the country’s debts from the Revolutionary War and to create a national bank. This plan helped the economy grow and made the government more trustworthy to other nations and investors. By organizing the nation’s finances, Washington’s administration laid the groundwork for a strong and stable government.

        In addition to the financial system, the Judiciary Act of 1789 helped strengthen the national government. This law set up the federal court system, which made sure that laws were followed fairly and equally in all states. The act created a Supreme Court with six justices and set up lower courts to handle legal cases. By creating a clear system for courts to follow, it helped solve problems and kept the government strong by making sure everyone followed the law.

        Another important step was the Bill of Rights, passed in 1791. The Bill of Rights is made up of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and it protected important rights and freedoms. For example, the First Amendment made sure people could speak freely, practice their religion, and publish newspapers without fear of government punishment. The Second Amendment gave people the right to own weapons, which was important for protection. The Fourth Amendment made sure people couldn’t be searched or have their homes entered without a good reason. These rights were important to Americans who worried about the government becoming too powerful. The Bill of Rights helped build trust in the new government by protecting people’s freedoms.

These actions—the financial system, the Judiciary Act of 1789, and the Bill of Rights—helped create a strong, fair, and lasting national government that respected people’s rights.
History.com Editors. (2020, August 21). Alexander Hamilton and the financial revolution. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/alexander-hamilton National Archives. (n.d.). Judiciary Act of 1789. U.S. National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/judact.html

Question 1c

Essay
Discuss the significance of the Bill of Rights in establishing a lasting national government. Include specific examples of rights that were protected and how they addressed concerns of the time.
        One major action taken by the Washington administration to create a stable national government was the development of the U.S. financial system. In 1790, President George Washington appointed Alexander Hamilton as the first Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton came up with a plan to manage the country’s debts from the Revolutionary War and to create a national bank. This plan helped the economy grow and made the government more trustworthy to other nations and investors. By organizing the nation’s finances, Washington’s administration laid the groundwork for a strong and stable government.

        In addition to the financial system, the Judiciary Act of 1789 helped strengthen the national government. This law set up the federal court system, which made sure that laws were followed fairly and equally in all states. The act created a Supreme Court with six justices and set up lower courts to handle legal cases. By creating a clear system for courts to follow, it helped solve problems and kept the government strong by making sure everyone followed the law.

        Another important step was the Bill of Rights, passed in 1791. The Bill of Rights is made up of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and it protected important rights and freedoms. For example, the First Amendment made sure people could speak freely, practice their religion, and publish newspapers without fear of government punishment. The Second Amendment gave people the right to own weapons, which was important for protection. The Fourth Amendment made sure people couldn’t be searched or have their homes entered without a good reason. These rights were important to Americans who worried about the government becoming too powerful. The Bill of Rights helped build trust in the new government by protecting people’s freedoms.

These actions—the financial system, the Judiciary Act of 1789, and the Bill of Rights—helped create a strong, fair, and lasting national government that respected people’s rights.
History.com Editors. (2020, August 21). Alexander Hamilton and the financial revolution. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/alexander-hamilton National Archives. (n.d.). Judiciary Act of 1789. U.S. National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/judact.html

Group 2

This section explores the contrasting views of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton and how these differences led to the formation of political parties.

Question 2a

Multiple choice
Which of the following best describes Alexander Hamilton's vision for the United States?
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had very different ideas about how the United States should be run, which led to the creation of political parties.

Hamilton believed in a strong central government and thought the country should focus on industry and trade. He thought that a powerful federal government would help the economy grow and keep the country stable. Hamilton also supported creating a national bank and policies that would help businesses and finance. He thought the country should focus on developing cities and industries.

On the other hand, Jefferson believed in a limited government and wanted the country to focus on farming and rural life. He thought the government should not have too much power over people’s lives, and that states should have more control. Jefferson believed that farmers were the most important part of the country’s economy and that the government should not be too strong because it might take away people’s rights.

These different ideas led to the formation of two political parties. Hamilton’s supporters formed the Federalist Party, which wanted a strong central government, more industry, and a national bank. Jefferson’s supporters formed the Democratic-Republican Party, which wanted a limited government, more power for the states, and an economy based on farming.

In the end, the ideas of Hamilton and Jefferson helped shape the early United States and led to the political parties we still have today.
History.com Editors. (2020, August 21). Alexander Hamilton and the origins of American political parties. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/alexander-hamilton Monticello. (n.d.). Thomas Jefferson's vision for America. Monticello. https://www.monticello.org/thomas-jefferson/
  • A strong central government with an emphasis on industry and commerce.

  • A limited government with an emphasis on agriculture and rural life.

  • A government that prioritizes state sovereignty over federal power.

  • A decentralized government with minimal involvement in economic affairs.

Question 2b

Multiple choice
Which of the following best describes Thomas Jefferson's vision for the United States?
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had very different ideas about how the United States should be run, which led to the creation of political parties.

Hamilton believed in a strong central government and thought the country should focus on industry and trade. He thought that a powerful federal government would help the economy grow and keep the country stable. Hamilton also supported creating a national bank and policies that would help businesses and finance. He thought the country should focus on developing cities and industries.

On the other hand, Jefferson believed in a limited government and wanted the country to focus on farming and rural life. He thought the government should not have too much power over people’s lives, and that states should have more control. Jefferson believed that farmers were the most important part of the country’s economy and that the government should not be too strong because it might take away people’s rights.

These different ideas led to the formation of two political parties. Hamilton’s supporters formed the Federalist Party, which wanted a strong central government, more industry, and a national bank. Jefferson’s supporters formed the Democratic-Republican Party, which wanted a limited government, more power for the states, and an economy based on farming.

In the end, the ideas of Hamilton and Jefferson helped shape the early United States and led to the political parties we still have today.
History.com Editors. (2020, August 21). Alexander Hamilton and the origins of American political parties. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/alexander-hamilton Monticello. (n.d.). Thomas Jefferson's vision for America. Monticello. https://www.monticello.org/thomas-jefferson/
  • A strong central government with an emphasis on industry and commerce.

  • A limited government with an emphasis on agriculture and rural life.

  • A government that prioritizes federal power over state sovereignty.

  • A centralized government with extensive economic controls.

Question 2c

Essay
Compare and contrast the political philosophies of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. How did their differing views lead to the development of political parties in the United States?
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had very different ideas about how the United States should be run, which led to the creation of political parties.

Hamilton believed in a strong central government and thought the country should focus on industry and trade. He thought that a powerful federal government would help the economy grow and keep the country stable. Hamilton also supported creating a national bank and policies that would help businesses and finance. He thought the country should focus on developing cities and industries.

On the other hand, Jefferson believed in a limited government and wanted the country to focus on farming and rural life. He thought the government should not have too much power over people’s lives, and that states should have more control. Jefferson believed that farmers were the most important part of the country’s economy and that the government should not be too strong because it might take away people’s rights.

These different ideas led to the formation of two political parties. Hamilton’s supporters formed the Federalist Party, which wanted a strong central government, more industry, and a national bank. Jefferson’s supporters formed the Democratic-Republican Party, which wanted a limited government, more power for the states, and an economy based on farming.

In the end, the ideas of Hamilton and Jefferson helped shape the early United States and led to the political parties we still have today.
History.com Editors. (2020, August 21). Alexander Hamilton and the origins of American political parties. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/alexander-hamilton Monticello. (n.d.). Thomas Jefferson's vision for America. Monticello. https://www.monticello.org/thomas-jefferson/

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