George Washington and the Establishment of the Federal Government

This document collection illustrates how George Washington and other leaders responded to critical issues surrounding the establishment of the federal government, including the power of the executive branch, the rights of enslaved workers and other marginalized groups, and the role, if any, of political parties. After completing the unit, students should be able to answer the central question: What were the challenges of establishing the federal government, and how successfully did George Washington and his administration answer these challenges?  Through this unit, students will engage with primary sources, an author-provided learning objective, central question, and historical background.