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Primary
University of Groningen

American History: Documents: The Jay Treaty, 1794 (Full Text)

For Students 9th - 10th
The full text of the Jay Treaty of 1794. A great resource at looking at the specific problems between the new United States and Great Britain.
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Website
George Washington University

George Washington University: First Federal Congress: Expansion of the Empire

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the challenges that faced the new government especially in regard to the vast territory it won from Britain. Read about how the first Congress addressed these issues and set precedents for years to come. From a project of...
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Website
George Washington University

Birth of a Nation: The First Federal Congress 1789 1791

For Students 9th - 10th
An exhaustive look at the first Congress during George Washington's presidency. Find out about the precedents that were set and the interpretations that had to be made about the new Constitution. A fabulous site from George Washington...
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Article
Henry J. Sage

Sage American History: The New Republic: The United States, 1789 1800

For Students 9th - 10th
Article discussing the particular events of post-Revolutionary America, 1789-1800, and how they shaped the era of the New Republic. The author covers the first presidency, the emergent party system and foregin affairs.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Whiskey Rebellion [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
The Whiskey Rebellion was an early challenge to the new United States government. Read about the importance of whiskey in the back country and the need for the United States to find sources of revenues. This is a story of east vs. west,...
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Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: President Washington

For Students 9th - 10th
One of the last acts of the Congress of the Confederation was to arrange for the first presidential election, setting March 4, 1789, as the date that the new government would come into being. One name was on everyone's lips for the new...
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Years of Crisis

For Students 9th - 10th
It's not surprising the United States would have challenges in its first years. Read about the problems with foreign countries, its own citizens who resisted taxes, and dealings with Native Americans.
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Handout
US National Archives

Nara: Prologue Magazine: Women and Naturalization

For Students 9th - 10th
A lengthy essay on George Washington proposing that his real accomplishments as first President of the U.S. and winner of the Revolutionary War have been overshadowed by the myths and stories of the Cherry Tree, teeth, and no lies....
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Unit Plan
Other

George Washington: Elected First President

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a description of the election of 1788. A brief editorial about the election is given. A narrative on the early life of Washington is also included.
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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: American Memory: George Washington Papers: Series 2 Letterbooks

For Students 9th - 10th
The list in Washington's own hand of his nominations for various offices in his administration including Attorney General.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Native American Resilience and Violence in the West

For Students 5th - 8th
Learn about the struggles the new United States government had in coming to terms with the various Native American tribes who lived in the new country.
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Handout
US Department of State

U.s. Department of State: Thomas Jefferson: First Secretary of State, 1790 1793

For Students 9th - 10th
This site by the Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State offers information about Thomas Jefferson's role as the first Secretary of State to George Washington.
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Primary
Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors: Archiving Early America: Life of George Washington: Reflections

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the last chapter of a biography of Washington which was written only eight years after his death by David Ramsay, a man who had known Washington personally, and who had been "an active player in the momentous events of America's...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Growing Opposition

For Students 5th - 8th
George Washington's cabinet had strong personalities with often opposing opinions. Read about the differences between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson in regard to Hamilton's financial policies for the new country. See why these...
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Handout
US Senate

U.s. Senate: The Senate Moves to Philadelphia, 1790

For Students 9th - 10th
One provision of the Residence Act of 1790 was that the federal government would reside in Philadelphia until 1800. This article discusses that first meeting there.
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Interactive
A&E Television

History.com: American Presidents: George Washington

For Students 9th - 10th
This easy-to-navigate site has George Washington's biography, significant events in his life, an image gallery, and video clips.
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Handout
PublicBookshelf Corporation

Our Country: Citizen Genet

For Students 9th - 10th
From an 1877 book originally titled "Household History for All Readers," this section discusses Citizen Genet. Genet was the French ambassador who tried to get the US to break its neutrality during Washington's administration.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: George Washington: The First Administration

For Students 5th - 8th
Read about George Washington's presidency. See why his role was so important in setting precedents to be followed by future chief executives. Find out about some of the warts in his personality too, all of which made him more human.
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Handout
Other

Hall of the Secretaries of State: Thomas Jefferson

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides a brief profile account of Jefferson's career as a Secretary of State. It includes a list of notable events during his office.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: u.s. Military Defeat: Indian Victory in the West

For Students 5th - 8th
Read about the Whiskey Rebellion and what caused farmers to protest to the point of rebellion. Understand why a federal military response was such a grave decision.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Defining the Presidency

For Students 9th - 10th
George Washington, as the first president, molded the office in a way that served as a model for later leaders. Read about the precedents he set forth
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Alexander Hamilton's Financial Program

For Students 9th - 10th
Young Alexander Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury. Read about his ideas for reducing the huge national debt, and see how his views of the nation and national government were so different from Thomas Jefferson's.
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Primary
This Nation

This Nation: Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)

For Students 9th - 10th
Read the text of the Proclamation of Neutrality issued by George Washington in April, 1793, showing his effort to keep his new nation safe from unhealthy alliances.
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Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Henry Knox: Secretary of War

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about Henry Knox, George Washington's first Secretary of War. Particularly interesting is his intent to honor the treaties made with the Native Americans.