Washington’s Presidency
On April 30, 1789, George Washington became the first president of the United States of America.
Who was George Washington?
He was born in 1732 into a Virginia planter family. He was taught the manners and morals that every young gentlemen of his time were meant to possess. George Washington, like many of us today was able to learn a lot from his experiences and mistakes. For example, it was said of Washington, he first understood the great importance of honesty after cutting down his father’s favorite cherry tree.
The story goes that a young George was about six years old and had been given a hatchet. Being a six year old boy, he used the hatchet to chop at just about anything in sight. One morning, he even chopped …show more content…
But he soon realized that the Nation under its Articles of Confederation was not functioning well, so he helped create the steps leading to the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. When the new Constitution was ratified, the Electoral College unanimously elected Washington President.
He did not infringe upon the policy making powers that he felt the Constitution gave Congress. But the determination of foreign policy became preponderantly a Presidential concern. When the French Revolution led to a major war between France and England, Washington refused to accept entirely the recommendations of either his Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, who was pro-French, or his Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, who was pro-British. Rather, he insisted upon a neutral course until the United States could grow stronger.
To his disappointment, two parties were developing by the end of his first term. finally politics took a toll on him and he retired at the end of his second term. In his Farewell Address, he urged his countrymen to forswear excessive party spirit and geographical distinctions. In foreign affairs, he warned against long-term
On April 30, 1789, George Washington became the first president of the United States of America.
Who was George Washington?
He was born in 1732 into a Virginia planter family. He was taught the manners and morals that every young gentlemen of his time were meant to possess. George Washington, like many of us today was able to learn a lot from his experiences and mistakes. For example, it was said of Washington, he first understood the great importance of honesty after cutting down his father’s favorite cherry tree.
The story goes that a young George was about six years old and had been given a hatchet. Being a six year old boy, he used the hatchet to chop at just about anything in sight. One morning, he even chopped …show more content…
But he soon realized that the Nation under its Articles of Confederation was not functioning well, so he helped create the steps leading to the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. When the new Constitution was ratified, the Electoral College unanimously elected Washington President.
He did not infringe upon the policy making powers that he felt the Constitution gave Congress. But the determination of foreign policy became preponderantly a Presidential concern. When the French Revolution led to a major war between France and England, Washington refused to accept entirely the recommendations of either his Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, who was pro-French, or his Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, who was pro-British. Rather, he insisted upon a neutral course until the United States could grow stronger.
To his disappointment, two parties were developing by the end of his first term. finally politics took a toll on him and he retired at the end of his second term. In his Farewell Address, he urged his countrymen to forswear excessive party spirit and geographical distinctions. In foreign affairs, he warned against long-term