Issues
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.
One such issue was that of the National debt and creating a National Bank. In 1790, Alexander Hamilton proposed that Congress should establish a national bank, in which private investors could buy stock, could print paper money, and keep government finances safe. Washington signed the bill establishing a national bank and started a strong foundation for a thriving economy and a stable currency.
Another extremely important issue Washington faced was that of the Whiskey Rebellion. The whisky rebellion started when a tax was placed upon distilled liquor. The farmers of Pennsylvania completely infuriated at the taxed because Whisky was their most profitable product and their form of money. In 1794, they set up an armed uprising against the taxes. Alarmed by the attack, and following Hamilton’s advice, Washington sent over 12,000 troops into Pennsylvania for peace keeping. This was the first time a national militia was ever used in the new country. Washington’s decision proved to the people that Congress finally had th...
Hamilton admired the central banks of Europe and wanted the same for the United States. He was elected to be the first Treasury Secretary after founding the Bank of New York. Hamilton proposed a bank of the United States based in Philadelphia. The bank would have a $10 million capitol and the ability to issue paper money and would be chartered for 20 years. The federal government would have a minor stake in the bank, and would have a board of directors made up of private individuals, to ensure a mix of public oversight and private enterprise. The Bank would lend the government money and securely hold its deposits, there would also be uniformed currency for the American citizens, and would also promote business and industry by extending credit. The National Bank along with some of Hamilton’s other financial programs would help give the United States an equal financial footing with the European nations. Hamilton’s ideas on a National bank supported the Federalist Parties commitment to having a financially sound
George Washington was the leader of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, led the Continental Congress in the development of the United States Constitution and served as the first United States President. His enduring contributions were far reaching and greatly impacted the course of American and world history. While Washington is the epitome of a strategic leader, he was not without his weaknesses. As a military commander, Washington made serious mistakes, however, his most significant strength was his ability to survive his mistakes and learn from them. Setbacks early in life, coupled with disappointment at the start of his military career set the foundation for Washington to emerge as America’s most iconic strategic
Alexander was also requested to create a national currency system. He proposed to the Bank of the United States that a central bank would help the new nation's economic change through a more secure paper currency. By the end, with support from the president, the bank was leased with its first command post in P...
He suffered from stage fright and often “blushed and faltered”, (18) even at his inauguration as President, “he trembled and several times could scarce make out to read his speech” (18) This weakness of his is often glossed over as it doesn’t seem to fit in with his image as the towering, imposing “founding father”. Yet today, it is essential for a President to be able to deliver impressive and clear speeches to the whole country. Finally there are some criticisms that he was not as effective General as is often believed. Thomas Paine claimed that he was a bad general whose strategy consisted of “doing nothing” (19). Although Paine had a personal agenda in condemning George Washington as he resented not being appointed Postmaster-General, and then later by not being rescued from French persecution by the government, it is true that George Washington did lose more battles than he won (20) and often did seem to do nothing for long periods of time. There is also the issue of his harsh treatment towards his own soldiers, any who were caught deserting or plundering were “flogged” (21) and he even a “Gallows near forty feet high erected” to terrify the rest into obedience.
There are many individuals in American History, whom we as Americans regard for their courage and audacity in shaping our nation. We learn in our history classes the great accomplishments of our founding fathers such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Ben Franklin. One other great founding father and our First President, George Washington was one whom we learned much about. We learn in school that he is as a prime example of leadership, citizenship, and overall individual achievement for his many contributions to our nation’s earliest struggles. But although we are taught that George Washington was this man of great disposition, no man is without his flaws. Many scholars have sought to enlighten individuals to these cracks in the Nation’s perspective of our first president. The following composition will give an analysis of literature that shows George Washington was in consistent regarding his views on slavery. Although Washington is well-known for his many political accomplishments little is spoken about his views regarding slavery.
George Washington had character and was extraordinary. Ellis described Washington as an "incalculable asset." His leadership skills were unique. His actions were performed for his country, not for political gain. He was also directly associated with every major event of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress, and the building of the new republic. Even the country 's new capitol had his name. These were some of the things that made him so special. Washington was not prideful and not easily led. He offered suggestions and warnings to his replacements and told the government to expand in a way that would keep the country standing; he was well aware of how dainty the country was. The United States would never have survived without him.
Washington presented a plan to the House of Burgesses to boycott the British in 1769. Though this was somewhat ignored, his persistence showed whenever he attended the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia and again the next year. During this time battles at Concord and Lexington occurred at this showed the Congress that action was to be made and George Washington was assigned command of the new army. He requested no pay.
The rebellion’s fact and information is very important to help understand American History. The Whiskey Rebellion is viewed now as the make or break situation for which was then the newly uprising government system, American Constitution, right after the American Revolution when the federal government was trying to make itself strong and powerful. So, for the Whiskey Rebellion to take place during this time was what lots of people call, “perfect timing”. This is said because had the Whiskey Rebellion not happened during this time and the government had not acted the way it did against the rebellion, we probably would never know how the government would be in today’s day and how America would be in this day. Washington was trying to stop the rebellion peacefully and with no violence whatsoever. However, by 1794 the protests became violent. In July, nearly 400 whiskey rebels near Pittsburgh set fire to the home of John Neville, the regional tax collection supervisor. This made Washington upset and furious he ordered the military to go up to Pennsylvania and destroy the rebellion and this horrifying event even made Washington put his military uniform once again to defeat the Whiskey Rebellion. Once Washington and his armed military arrived at Pennsylvania every protester in town disappear and basically surrender to Washington and his militia. With the surrender from the protesters this made the American government along
After the first War for Independence, The United States was approximately $52 million in debt. Due to having such bad financial problems, the United States created a national Bank to create one unified currency, to take away all state debts, and to issue loans to the people to promote growth. This National Bank was created by Alexander Hamilton who was a Federalist, and once Jefferson came to be the President, he continued the idea of the national bank because it was helping to reduce the national debt. The primary reason for the National Bank being a representation of a Federalist idea was because since it was issuing loans to people it was able to promote industrial growth which was one of the main goals of the Federalist party. From Jefferson continuing the use of the National Bank thru his presidency he demonstrates his need to continue a loose constructionist idea.
Thesis Statement: George Washington is a hero because he stood up for his ideal that America should be free from England, and create a new form of government which would be fair and equitable. Even in the darkest of times, he never gave up and managed to maintain social and political order within the colonies.
George Washington showed amazing leadership skills while remaining aware that he is not greater then everyone else. When Washington was first brought the idea of presidency he declined not wanting to be viewed as a king or anything greater then the people around him. He didn't want to and didn't become president for power or anything other then to be a leader and guide the country through the good and bad. Washington was the respectable general of an army and was a strong leader through many important historical battles that changed the course of history.
As a result, many debates began over how to approach and resolve issues, and groups with the same interests began to form. This was the beginning of a new era because political parties started to form. Hamilton being a superb leader, he formed his own political party called the Federalist party, and his opponents were the Republican Party, created by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. This two political parties had different views on important issues. One of the issues was the national bank on how to manage the finances of a country. This began in 1789, when George Washington, the first president, appointed 34 year old Hamilton as the first Secretary of Treasury of the United States of America. Being in charge of the financial department of a new country, Hamilton began to assemble a banking system. Hamilton believed the country needed a national bank to help shake off its financial malaise and join the company of modern commercial nations(Davies). Therefore, Hamilton took the responsibility to create a banking system that would fix and govern the country's finances. The banking system presented by Hamilton “would not only enhance the federal government’s creditworthiness by issuing a currency suitable for the payment of taxes, investing in war debt and lending to the Treasury in emergencies, it would also expand the money supply and provide credit to merchants and other businesses to foster trade, both within the
1776 was a good year for a revolution. George Washington had taken command of the U.S. forces in 1775, with an army of old men and young boys that seemed to be bleak and unpromising. Facing harsh conditions and disease- ridden camps, winning a war against the all powerful British was an uphill battle. What Washington probably didn’t expect that the worst of his problems would come from his own army, a group of untrained, undisciplined men that would tamper with his great patience. Through it all he would stay one step ahead of the enemy.
The job of the President of the United States of America is one the most stressful in the world. This is evidenced by the rapid aging of the men who enter the office. Along with living up to the reputation of the president and having to follow up some of the greatest leaders of all time, the president is faced with media that hounds his every move and a nation with the right to express their displeasure anytime they so choose. Our first president, George Washington faced the same issues way back in 1789. Washington serves as a model for future presidents as he was the mold off of which the position was formed. Washington was humble, honest, and brave; all of which, voters look for in today’s presidents.
Have you ever wonder the portrait on US ten dollar’s bill? What’s the significant of it? It is the portrait of a great person Alexander Hamilton; the first secretary of treasury. He was born in January 11, 1755 and illegitimate son of a Scottish merchant in the West Indies. At the age of 11 he had his first job at the tender. In 1773, he moved to New York to study yet, he was more involved in politics than academics. Furthermore, when the American Revolutionary War began in 1775 he joined military. After the War America has faced national debt issues. Later, at the age of thirty-two Hamilton was elected as a representative to the Congress of the Confederation under President Washington. Washington also put him on domestic and foreign policy. Hamilton was not happy with the Articles of Confederation and the weak central government. As a result, he wanted to strengthen the power of the national Government. On January 14, 1790 Hamilton made a report on the public credit and sent it to Congress. On his report, he proposed three things. First, he wanted to redeem the old debt by issuing new bonds. Then his plan was to undertake the state revolutionary debt. Hamilton's final proposal was that he wanted to fix the debt problem by adding state debt and to establish the nation’s credits. Hence, he created a national bank to land and to borrow and store money. In a