Tribulations and Accomplishments

French Revolution- During Washington's time as president, Britain and France were once again at war. This war affected American merchants, and created a divide among American citizens. They were divided by their ideas of who to support during the war. These division of ideas created a larger divide between growing political parties, and struck fear into Federalists hearts.

Whiskey Rebellion- Starting out as a new country, Congress decided to set up a tax on whiskey and all other luxury goods. This angered farmers living west of the Appalachian Mountains. They found it cheaper to transport whiskey instead of grain, but with the new tax, complained that it made whiskey to expensive and people wouldn't buy it. To show their anger they refused to pay the tax. In response, Congress lowered the tax, and everyone paid it except for the farmers in Pennsylvania. They acted against tax collectors who tried to enforce the law. Finding this a threat to the national government, Washington sent out troops to out the rebels to rest. This is the first time we'll see a president execute his power of leading armies.

Farewell Address- This was the first time we would see a transition of power and so our first president will say a farewell address to formally step down. On this speech Washington warned our rising country about a few things. He told us to remain neutral in foreign affairs. We were a brand new country. The last thing we needed was to get tangled up in foreign affairs. He also said to avoid political parties. They would create a larger divide within the country.