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The Issues of George Washington Essay Example

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The Issues of George Washington Essay Example
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With a new nation facing overwhelming difficulties, George Washington faced the challenges of being the first president to run, shape, and build the foundations of the newly formed United States. Washington came into office with the country in heavy debt, and an empty treasury. With the issues President George Washington was facing, he proved to be a paragon leader. One such issue was that of the National debt and creating a National Bank. In 1790, Alexander Hamilton proposed that Congress should establish a national bank, in which private investors could buy stock, could print paper money, and keep government finances safe. Washington signed the bill establishing a national bank and started a strong foundation for a thriving economy and a stable currency. Another extremely important issue Washington faced was that of the Whiskey Rebellion. The whisky rebellion started when a tax was placed upon distilled liquor. The farmers of Pennsylvania completely infuriated at the taxed because Whisky was their most profitable product and their form of money. In 1794, they set up an armed uprising against the taxes. Alarmed by the attack, and following Hamilton's advice, Washington sent over 12,000 troops into Pennsylvania for peace keeping. This was the first time a national militia was ever used in the new country. Washington's decision proved to the people that Congress finally had the power to uphold its authority.
Not all agreed with Washington's actions. Secretary of State and Republican Thomas Jefferson strongly opposed the opinions and views of the Secretary of Treasury and Federalist Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson firmly disagreed with Hamilton's self-absorbed point of views. Washington more often than not favored the opinions' of Hamilton. Jefferson distrusted the ideas of having a national bank. He viewed them as unconstitutional and an abuse of congressional power. Jefferson also opposed the handling of the Whisky Rebellion, arguing that the

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