The first presidential administration in the United States

Who was the first President of the United States?

• John Adams

• George Washington

• George Bush

• John Hancock

Why did Washington attend the Constitutional Convention?

• He wanted to help write the Articles of Confederation because he was worried about the U.S. Constitution.

• He wanted the public to know that he supported the U.S. Constitution so that they would elect him president.

• He wanted to support a new U.S. Constitution because he was worried about the Articles of Confederation.

• He wanted to get rid of everything in the Articles of Confederation because they would not allow him to be president.

What were the governing documents before the Constitution?

• The Articles of Constitution

• The Articles of the United States

• The Articles of Laws

• The Articles of Confederation

Why did Washington believe the Articles of Confederation would not be good for the long-term health of the nation?

• He thought the country would get sick if they used the Articles of Confederation.

• It called for a weak central government, meaning the states would have more control individually and not come together as a nation.

• He believed the nation would last a long time if they did use the Articles of Confederation.

While there were many changes between the Articles of Confederation and the new Constitution, what did they both contain?

• They both had three departments of government.

• They both wanted a strong central government.

• They both wanted a strong state government.

• They both had five departments of government.

Why did Washington want a strong central government?

• He thought it would be good for the country if the president had more power.

• He did not like or trust the members of the legislature and they did not trust him.

• He was worried that members of his cabinet would fight with each other.

• He wanted to be president for a very long time, and he needed power to do this.

What is the purpose of a Cabinet?

• It holds dishes and food in the kitchen.

• It is a group of people meant to errands for the President.

• It is a group of department heads who advise the President.

• It is where the Constitution is held.

What caused Washington’s second term to have issues?

• Washington didn't know what he was doing and made many mistakes.

• Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton fought and split the cabinet in two.

• Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton joined together to bring Washington down.

• Washington fought with his cabinet, which caused the government to split.

Read the following paragraph from section “Second Term Stumbles.”

George Washington's first term as president lasted from 1789-1792. At the time, the federal government was brand new. It was even a little shaky. However, Washington made the federal government seem more solid and valid. He enjoyed huge popularity. People trusted him.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• The federal government was brand new and Washington did not know if he wanted to be president.

• Washington became the first president because he was very popular with all Americans and a very good president.

• The federal government was a little shaky because Washington was the first president and didn't know what he was doing.

• When Washington became president, people liked and trusted him and began to accept the new government.

Finish the sentence below.

One main idea of the article is that ____.

• George Washington wanted to work on his farm after the Revolutionary War was over

• George Washington helped shape the government when he became the first U.S. president

• George Washington chose a man named Thomas Jefferson to be his secretary of state

• George Washington often agreed with Alexander Hamilton more than Thomas Jefferson