Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early United States Republic, 1789–1815

In 1789, the United States stood at a turning point. After years of conflict during the American Revolution and an uncertain postwar period under the Articles of Confederation, the country was in need of stronger national leadership. The new Constitution, ratified in 1788, was designed to create a more effective federal system while still preserving the ideals of liberty and republicanism. This document was a compromise between those who wanted a powerful central government and those who feared tyranny. It created three branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—each with checks and balances to prevent abuse of power. The Bill of Rights, added shortly after ratification, helped ease concerns by protecting individual freedoms such as speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial.

With the Constitution in place, attention turned to the task of putting it into practice. George Washington was unanimously elected as the first president, taking office in April 1789. His presence offered reassurance to many citizens who trusted his leadership and commitment to republican values. Washington worked to establish the authority of the executive branch without appearing monarchical. He formed the first presidential cabinet, appointing Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State, Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury, and Henry Knox as Secretary of War. This team would help shape the future direction of the republic.

The first Congress, meanwhile, worked to set up the basic structures of the new government. They created the federal court system through the Judiciary Act of 1789 and established executive departments. They also passed revenue legislation to fund the government’s activities. One of the early and pressing tasks was addressing the national debt from the Revolution. Alexander Hamilton proposed a financial plan that included federal assumption of state debts, the creation of a national bank, and new taxes.

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