“To form a new Government, requires infinite care, and unbounded attention; for if the foundation is badly laid the superstructure must be bad. (George Washington quotes. n.d.)” This is a quote that George Washington wrote in a letter to John Augustine Washington on May 31st, 1776, which was over a decade before he became president. 227 years ago, the United States inaugurated our first president, George Washington. Washington influenced the success of the United States. His accomplishments before and during his presidency, formed the new government, which we practice today. He was an extremely patriotic man, and many people saw that in him. He possessed such patriotism and common sense, it won him the election to be the first president. The George Washington and his presidency were highly crucial for the formation of the United States and defined the president and executive branch powers. Before Washington campaigned for president, he just wanted to go home and relax. He first rejected the idea of becoming president, because he thought that if he became president that he would get put in between the legislation in the process of creating the new government. He dealt with this essential problem until the end of his second term as president. Washington realized that the people of America needed someone to lead them, and he was their first choice to be their leader, he decided to run for president. He earned the respect of the nation by leading an army during the Revolutionary War. (George Washington is elected president, 2009.) Politics were quite different back then, since the population of the United States has grown immensely and new laws have been put into place. The president was chosen by the Electoral College, just as it is today, except they chose their electors by each of the On May 31st, 1790, the Copyright Act of 1790, was signed by Washington into law. ““An act for the encouragement of learning by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned,” the legislation was the first law protecting copyright in the United States. (Ten facts about Washington 's presidency. n.d.)” Another bill Washington passed during his presidency was the Whiskey Act of 1791. “He personally ensured that the U.S. government would enforce its laws by mobilizing troops to squelch the Whiskey Rebellion, fought as a protest of a tax imposed on whiskey. (Mandel, K. 2014, September 07. George Washington: 6 important events in first president 's political career.)” The Treaty of Greenville was signed by many Indian tribes on August 3rd, 1795. The treaty was for stalling the Northwest Indian War and it helped acquire more Indian land for the United States. The Jay Treaty was signed by the United States and Great Britain on November 19th, 1794. George Washington was able to reach an agreement between the two countries following the Revolutionary War, with the rivalry during the war and following the war, this just shows how well of a communicator he was. The Pinckney’s Treaty was signed on October 27th, 1795 in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a town in Spain. The Pinckney’s Treaty was also known as the Treaty of San Lorenzo and
With a new nation facing overwhelming difficulties, George Washington faced the challenges of being the first president to run, shape, and build the foundations of the newly formed United States. Washington came into office with the country in heavy debt, and an empty treasury. With the issues President George Washington was facing, he proved to be a paragon leader.
Under the new ratified constitutional amendments of the United States, George Washington was the first elected president by state electors. The people of the United States wanted a stronger Government but also to preserve its citizen’s civil liberties with proper representation. The Newly created executive branch under the 2nd article of the constitution placed the president as the head of government and is responsible to enforce the laws of congress and command the armed forces. As the first elected president, George Washington’s first inaugural address defines the presidency as a very difficult and challenging task that will be his responsibility to grow the ideals of the new government, preserve the civil liberties of it citizens and
Washington was a key role in developing the United States after the Revolutionary War. George Washington is one of the most famous American hero’s, remembered as the 'father of his country'. He is known for being commanding general of the revolutionary army which won American independence. Also for his amazing performance as the first president of the United States. Washington's military and political career is a model of leadership that set the stage for all future military leaders and US presidents.
Shortly after the revolutionary war, Washington was elected the first president of the United States of America, which was no easy task. there were three key issues brought up during his eight years in office. First, Alexander Hamilton, secretary of the treasury, issued three reports to congress "Report on Credit," "Opinion on the Constitutionality of the Bank" and "Report on Manufacturers." The first report, "The Report on Public Credit was issued by Alexander Hamilton as a means to encourage order in the American economy for the benefit of commercial and industrial interests." (u-s-history.com) and restore the national debt accumulated during the revolutionary war. The second report, "Opinion on the Constitutionality of the Bank" was a debate between Tomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, Jefferson and Hamilton were at war with each other on whether
As president he was the first to be inaugurated in Washington which was a city he had helped to plan. President Jefferson's inauguration was probably the start of the changes in government. It has been said that his particular taking of office had lead to the simplest speech stating that "essential principals" would guide his administration and would support all states with "equal and exact justice to all". And the actual changes of administration were the most peaceful of all, nothing like those previously.
Instead, the members of Congress were the ones who chose the president of the United States. On February 4th, 1789, sixty-nine members of Congress voted to elect George Washington as the first president of the United States of America. Both the people of the United States and Congress believed that he had the qualities and characteristics needed to be the leader of a nation. They were impressed with his past actions and achievements; Washington had gained their trust and loyalty. Washington was reluctant to become president at first, after serving his country in war and in politics, he wanted to go back to living the life of a gentleman farmer and have more of a relaxed lifestyle. In many of his letters he expressed that he did not desire to be in the middle of a legislative debate about the creation of the new governmental system of America. In his letters he also expressed how he felt that he was too old. On the day before his inauguration he exclaimed that he felt more like a culprit going to be executed than a national hero. Eventually, the pressure of the people got to him and he became president. He decided that if he was going to be the president, then he was going to do his best to be a good example for all future presidents of the United States; he realized that he was about to
George Washington is an important piece of our United States History. George Washington was born in 1732 in the British colony of Virginia, and was our first President of the United States of America. When Washington was President he helped the U.S. out in a lot of ways. Firstly, in the French and Indian War George was selected as the British ambassador to the French frontier establishment. In December 1752, George Washington was made a commander of the Virginia Militia with no military experience. When he saw action of the French and Indian War he was eventually in put in charge of all of Virginia’s militia forces. Also, in June 1775, Congress ordered that George Washington to take command of the Continental Army to surround the British in
As can be assumed by the fact that he was the first president, Washington established many important precedents for future United States
His impressive leadership they convince the delegates that he was by far the most qualified man to become the nation’s first president. He wanted to, at last, return to a quiet-life at home and leaves governing the new nation to others. But public opinion was so strong Also know as he just starts school as the age of 6 and left at age of 15 to become a surveyor because his family was too poor to afford education. He is the president who comes up with the first constitution of the United States in 1781.George Washington did not have an easy time of it as president for a number of reasons: How to Act Like a President, developing a Presidential Style, The Institutional Workings of the Presidency, Polling Public Opinion, Before Polls and a managing a Quarrelsome Cabinet. But people who around him were trusted in him because they know that he can do it. He is the only president an American history to be unanimously elected twice, president Washington established many crucial presidential presidents George Washington helped shape the office’s future role and powers, as George Washington helped shape the office 's future role and powers, as well as set both formal and informal precedents for future
He embodied the idea of the government working for the benefit of the common people. In order for this to happen, Washington knew that it was essential for the government to be led by a President that considered themselves to be equal in standing to all other citizens. In order to put this into practice, Washington limited his time in office to two terms (Weston, 3). Many Presidents that came after Washington follwed his lead in running for no more than two terms, further demonstrating the respect that others had for our first
Every war has an effect on the surrounding land. A prime example of this is the United States in the 18th century. When Europeans came to the Americas, it did not take long for settlers to claim much land for their countries. After claiming much of the land, Britain, was still hungry for more, so they began to push west of the Ohio Valley into the French land. As one can probably imagine, the French was not going to let Britain claim their land without putting up a fight. This fight resulted in the French and Indian War. The British sent troops to attack French colonies, they made it unable for the French to trade overseas, and they also made multiple negotiations, one of which, The Treaty of Paris, finally went through to the French and they
George Washington never wanted to be president. After many years of being a general in the war, all he wanted was to go home to his family and spend the rest of his life in peace. But the government had other plans for Washington. He never really ended up running for president, it was a unanimous vote from the electoral committee. When he was elected, this country was brand new, and there was lots of work to be done, lots of wrinkles in the system to be ironed out. The main problems he had to figure out where how to pay off the war debt, infighting within the cabinet, and how to stay consistent with the policy of neutrality.
George Washington was born February 22, 1732. He was elected as the first president by the Electoral College unanimously in 1789. Washington is commonly called the "Father of his country" since he played a major role in fighting for independence and helped form the government we now have. Many of his leadership practices became the template for the way politics have proceeded following his terms. For example his use of a group of counselors known as a "cabinet" is still in practice today. He only served for two terms and then stepped down which became, for the most part, the accepted norm for future presidents. George Washington is associated with some folklore tales such as being widely known for admitting to his father that he chopped down a cherry tree proclaiming that he could not tell a lie. He was credited for skipping a coin all the way across the Potomac river. While the cherry tree and coin skipping stories are most likely not true President George Washington accomplished many great things that are astounding and true pieces of our history.
In everything that he did or said, Washington set an example and demonstrated what strong leadership might look like in the United States of America. Even in leaving the presidency, George Washington attempted to lead the way for future presidents. “The Constitution provided a blueprint for the republic. George Washington’s administration would translate the blueprint into a working state.” (Brunsman, Hämäläinen, Johnson, McPherson, Murrin, 2015). President George Washington and his administration were truly integral to the creation and survival of the American power structure.
Through the many obstacles, America has experienced; George Washington helped this free country become united and created by the people for the people. We know and call him by the title of the Founding Father of the United States. In three important ways, Washington helped shape the beginning of our evolving civilization. For instance, he commanded the Continental Army that won American Independence from Great Britain, known as the Revolutionary War. He was also nominated the president the U.S. Constitutional Convention, which later wrote the U.S. Constitution. In addition to these achievements, which created a strong foundation for America, he became the country’s first presidential leader.