• Describe the emergence of a stronger central government, especially the executive and judicial branches, during Washington’s first year as president (1789).

• Explain the founders’ belated adoption of the Bill of Rights.

• Discuss the national economic system that Alexander Hamilton proposed, the resistance it generated, and the final program that Congress approved.

• Explain how and why the adoption of the Constitution encouraged a reawakening of American economic potential.

• Account for the development of a two-party system, pitting Federalists against Republicans, during Washington’s presidency (1789–97).

• Describe the international events that drew Americans into foreign affairs and led President John Adams to wage an undeclared war against France.

• Explain the election of Thomas Jefferson as president in 1800.

1788 George Washington is elected the first president of the United States.

1789 Washington takes office in New York City.

Congress creates a cabinet with three departments.

The Judiciary Act of 1789 creates the judicial branch of government.

French Revolution threatens an international war in Europe and North America.

1789–90 North Carolina and Rhode Island ratify the Constitution.

1790–91 Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton issues four economic reports to Congress.

1790 Compromise moves national capital southward.

1791 The states ratify the Bill of Rights.

1792 George Washington reelected as president.

1793 Washington issues the Proclamation of Neutrality.

Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin.

Samuel Slater builds a spinning mill at Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

France opens its empire to American trade.

1794 Westerners protest Hamilton’s excise taxes in the Whiskey Rebellion.

Western Indian tribes defeated at Battle of Fallen Timbers.

1795 Jay’s Treaty with England.

Pinckney’s Treaty with Spain.

Treaty of Greenville with western Indian tribes.

1796 John Adams defeats Thomas Jefferson in presidential election.

1797 Spain opens its empire to American trade.

1798 Undeclared war with France.

Congress creates Department of the Navy.

Alien and Sedition Acts target antiwar dissent.

James Madison and Thomas Jefferson write the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.

1800 Jefferson defeats Adams in presidential election, the "Revolution of 1800."