The First President’s Successes and Failures
George Washington had a lot of pressure on him, being the first president. He was setting up a brand new government, with all of its complications. He was one of the best choices for the job, since his motivation wasn’t power, but love for his country. He didn’t even want to become president, but did so because he felt “summoned” (America, #208).
Washington was a huge believer in national unity. When he considered retiring near the end of his first term, he was told that only he could keep the country together (America, #216). At the end of his second term, he could be credited with making the country stable, financially secure, and bringing in more safe frontier for settlers (America, #224).
From beginning to end, Washington begged the country to stay away from partisanship, and to be united (America, #224). He worried about citizens worrying about regional interest, since that could bring about conflict that would fracture the new country. It was the message of his legacy: Be united, and stand behind your government. His time in office set an example for every president after him. …show more content…
The western and southern boundaries of the States were disputed (America, #219). American ships were being attacked, and their crews were imprisoned or sent to the British navy. The British also would give weapons to the American Indians, who then attacked settlers with them (America, #219). Chief Justice John Jay was sent to settle all of their issues. Jay’s Treaty outlined that, in return for the British not paying for slaves that escaped during the Revolutionary War and getting their pre-war debts paid back, the British would leave six forts, pay back the seized ships and their cargo, and enable American merchants to trade in the West Indies (America,
George Washington had a lot of pressure on him, being the first president. He was setting up a brand new government, with all of its complications. He was one of the best choices for the job, since his motivation wasn’t power, but love for his country. He didn’t even want to become president, but did so because he felt “summoned” (America, #208).
Washington was a huge believer in national unity. When he considered retiring near the end of his first term, he was told that only he could keep the country together (America, #216). At the end of his second term, he could be credited with making the country stable, financially secure, and bringing in more safe frontier for settlers (America, #224).
From beginning to end, Washington begged the country to stay away from partisanship, and to be united (America, #224). He worried about citizens worrying about regional interest, since that could bring about conflict that would fracture the new country. It was the message of his legacy: Be united, and stand behind your government. His time in office set an example for every president after him. …show more content…
The western and southern boundaries of the States were disputed (America, #219). American ships were being attacked, and their crews were imprisoned or sent to the British navy. The British also would give weapons to the American Indians, who then attacked settlers with them (America, #219). Chief Justice John Jay was sent to settle all of their issues. Jay’s Treaty outlined that, in return for the British not paying for slaves that escaped during the Revolutionary War and getting their pre-war debts paid back, the British would leave six forts, pay back the seized ships and their cargo, and enable American merchants to trade in the West Indies (America,