The political battles over public credit in 1790–92 demonstrated the potential for strong presidential leadership over domestic affairs. The foreign policy crises of 1793–96 likewise strengthened presidential leadership. When Britain and France went to war in 1793, Americans disagreed about how the United States should maintain neutrality. The pro-British faction ultimately triumphed because of institutional advantages inherent to the executive branch. Partial to Alexander Hamilton’s pro-British sensibilities, George Washington used the executive branch’s unitary power to set the political agenda in ways that empowered Hamilton. James Madison and his allies in the House failed to stop these initiatives, indicating that by 1796, the executive branch was the most dominant one.
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Table of Contents
- How Congress Lost Part IV Washington Foreign Policy and the Emergence of Presidential Governance 1
- Federalist 1
- The political battles over public credit in 179092 demonstrated the potential for strong 1
- When Britain and France went to war in 1793 Americans disagreed about how the United 1
- States should maintain neutrality. The pro-British faction ultimately triumphed because of institu- tional advantages inherent to the executive branch. 1
- Partial to Alexander Hamiltons pro-British sensibilities George Washington used the executive 1
- James Madison and his allies in the House failed to stop these initiatives indicating that by 1
- 1796 the executive branch was the most dominant one. 1
- Whatever actions the government took would set the precedent for future generations. 3
- Disposition 3
- Gazette of the United States 3
- Congress can in theory cut off funding for any executive activity it does not like. But this is easier said than done. 6
- Federalist 7
- Washington Examiner 7