Formation+of+the+United+States

 After the American Revolution, we founded our nation on principles that, while evolving over time, are the foundations of our way of life. During these formative years you have two main presidents, George Washington and John Adams. There is a wealth of important events going on, but one of the most important is the election of 1789. People chose these two men to lead our country into the future, to move from colonies to an eventual world power. We are moving away from each colony being its own country and having its own currency to one strong nation. There is also expansion into the west and the continuing growth of exports of goods.

**__George Washington (1789-1797)__** Washington was dedicated to being a public servant. He was a very able administrator and regularly talked with department heads to make sure that things were run efficiently and orderly. Known as the first president,originally did not want to seek the office but was urged by many after showing his great leadership abilities during his years as a revolutionary general. Domestically he favored Alexander Hamilton's agenda to build a national credit and banking system. During the Whiskey Rebellion, using the Militia act of 1792, he led troops into rebellious areas and quelled resistance without any fight. Foreign affairs were a little different. By the time he had become president, war had broken out between England and France. Washington utilized Jays treaty to keep the United States out of the war, but to also create a decade of prosperous peace with England. The problems that occurred from the treaty resulted in deteriorated relations with France and the shadow of war.

**__John Adams (1797-1801)__** Unlike Washington, John Adams was supported by a political party and was a federalist. Through the residence act of 1790, Adams was the first president to live in the unfinished white house in the District of Colombia. He continued to strengthen the central government and expanded the army. He kept Washington's cabinet and continued to work with Alexander Hamilton to ensure a smooth transition. However much of the country was in a state of panic due the turmoil of the war in Europe. Many foreign immigrants were adding to the issues in the U.S and the Adams led government passed the Naturalization act, the Alien Act, the Alien Enemies Act, and the Sedition Act in order to deal with unruly immigrants or civilians. Adams also saw that war with France could offer no possible positive outcome, so through diplomats he we worked out an accord with France keeping America out of any European entanglements. Adams however had split his party and sacrificed his popularity through his search for speech with France, opening an opportunity for Thomas Jefferson.