George Washington was considered to be the country's first federalist President. He was supportive of a sole government which centralized power and decided over the matters that concerned all of the states.
Within the first months of his presidency, Congress created executive departments like the Department of Treasury, State, War, and the Postmaster General. Washington proceeded to appoint Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State, among other figures.
The Federal government proved to be not as strong as it should. This was proven with the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. In order to raise money to pay the national debt, Congress imposed a tax on distilled spirits, which farmers considered to be unfair. Threats were placed against tax collectors. As a response to this, the government summoned the federal army. However, it was too small and had to retreat against the state militias.
Yes, it is true that <span>Jimmy Carter followed Gerald Ford as president, since Jimmy Carter was elected to office in 1977--the same year that Ford left office. </span>
The war guilt clause required Germany to accept blame for the war, pay reparations to the countries it fought against, and severely reduce its military.
The Treaty of Versailles, which came out of the Paris Peace Conference, was very punitive towards Germany. Germany was forced to admit responsibility for causing the Great War (World War I) -- what we now call "the war guilt" clause of the treaty. Germany also was forced to pay large reparation payments to the Allies (who opposed Germany in the war). In addition, the German military had major restrictions imposed on it -- it had to be a volunteer military only, of no more than 100,000 men, and they could not have an air force.
The German economy and national pride were deeply wounded. The Great Depression devastated Germany -- even worse economic conditions than in America at that time. The bad situation in Germany made it possible for a radical leader like Hitler, making all sorts of bold promises, to win over enough people to rise to power.
