GW and TJ

George Washington v. Thomas Jefferson

In Office: 1789-1797

In Office: 1801-1809

Chief Executive

Thomas Jefferson B+

• He was part of the democratic-republican party
• He wanted to place strict limits on the national government
• Did not approve of past judiciary appointments because they were too federalist
• He wanted to expand United States land (Louisiana Purchase) and set up expeditions to explore it.

George Washington A+

• Set the standard for future presidents as chief executive and sought to better develop the government
• worked well with cabinet but not with congress
• Established the first cabinet:

Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War, the Postmaster General, and the Attorney General.

• Established the judiciary branch
• Created first bank of the United States

Chief Diplomat

Final Grade

Washington: A-

• America viewed as leader of first successful revolution against colonial empire in world history and thus icon for liberation, well liked in France and Latin America
• Foreign Policy: neutrality

Believed U.S. to young, fragile to entangle itself in European wars, refused to side with French

• Jay's Treaty: facilitated 10 years of prosperous trade between U.S. and Britain, delayed war, settled pre-war debts to Britain, upset French
• Farewell Address: framed American policy for century following, urged against permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world, called for friendships not alliances
• Faced with political division, as some believed America should side with France and not have a favored agreement with Britain

Jefferson: B-

• Louisiana Purchase: doubled Nation's size , but contradicted his strict-Constructionist views
• Embargo Act: after issues of impressment, banned all trade with France and Britain to attempt to remain neutral, devastated economy, especially New England's and incited trade war
• Banned international slave trade
• Policy: nonintervention "Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto." --Thomas Jefferson to T. Lomax, 1799.

Thomas Jefferson B +

• Devoted much of his presidency to expanding territory (Louisiana Purchase)
• Strong believer in Power lies with the People
• Embargo Act
• Was not open to compromise

George Washington A+

• Overall Leadership
• Being the First President, he sent the precedents for all others and better developed the country
• Foresaw future problems such political parties and warned against permanent alliances
• Neutrality (both in war and in the country)

Head of State

George Washington A

• set the standard for the new republic
• took tours around the new country to display the presidency to the common people
• Washington decided to give an address after his inauguration without the requirement of the Constitution which became a tradition
• His First Inaugural Address of 1789 was well received (ex. city was crowded and he was greeted with hugs and clapping)
• Image: wise leader, set the standards and foresaw problems( ex. political parties)
• Needs of the People: maintained neutral for protection and safety
• Public Opinion: still admired (ex. dollar bill)

Thomas Jefferson B

• Speeches: didn't give many because he preferred to write(ex. sent his inaugural and annual addresses to Congress but argued it was "inconvenient")
• Needs of the People:
• 1. attempted to maintain neutrality and safety with the Embargo Act although he had ties with France( even Federalist agreed)
• 2. believed government got it's strength from the people
• Image: simple,private, peaceful man ( did not judge a person by their social class but their knowledge)
• Jefferson could relate to the people due to his colonial past

Commander-in-Chief

Washington: A

• 1794 Whiskey Rebellion: ordered militia from several other states into Pennsylvania to keep order during when taxation was called into question, showed power of federal government and put down rebellion
• Created Secretary of War cabinet position
• Northwest Indian War: high casualties, but gained Ohio and Indiana
• Lack of standing army, but need was realized when Indian conflicts continued so Legion of United States established and lasted 1792-1796
• Avoided involvement in wars with Britain and France

Jefferson: A

• First Barbary War: Authorized by Congress, 1801-1805, no longer had to pay tributes to Tripoli, but continued to pay to rest of Barbary States
• Established West Point in 1802 to be an institution devoted to the arts and sciences of warfare.
• Jefferson felt the country should eliminate Hamilton's standing army by relying on a disciplined militia for national defense against invasion
• The Army was cut to two regiments, one infantry and one artillery (3,500 total), with similar reductions in the Navy.

Sources

http://usforeignpolicy.about.com/od/introtoforeignpolicy/a/Foreign-Policy-Under-George-Washington.htm

http://millercenter.org/president/washington/essays/biography/5

http://millercenter.org/president/jefferson/essays/biography/5

http://eyler.freeservers.com/JeffPers/jefpco30.htm

http://www.usma.edu/wphistory/SitePages/Home.aspx

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=11

http://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/public-speaking

American Presidents: Leaders of the Free World