In 1789, George Washington was unanimously elected by all 69 members of congress, to be the very first president of the United States of America. This unanimous vote was the result of Washington’s background. He was very well known in the thirteen states for being the leader of the great Continental Army, one that defeated the British in several key battles that ensured freedom and independence to the United States. Washington was also one of the people that helped found the Constitution, and he was well known, loved, and greatly respected by all the citizens and leaders of the United States. His first term was a great success, but there were more actions to be taken in the future. Thus, George Washington’s re-election in 1792 revealed the country’s need for a strong unifying character at this point in history. In this short journey back into history, three major events and actions made during his first term that kept Washington in presidency for a second term will be overviewed.
During 1789, just after Washington became president and America had finished their Revolution, France had gone into their own revolution: the French Revolution. The French had helped the United States out in the American Revolution, and now that they were in the midst of their own, France wanted the United States to help them out too. This act from France came from the Treaty of Alliance between America and France in 1777. Washington, with the citizens of America behind him, was glad to help France out, but there was a problem: he could not figure out whom to communicate with as all the rulers of France were constantly being overthrown and even beheaded. But that was not the biggest problem that faced Washington at the time. At the same time as this was ...
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...love” (Remini, 53). The people elected him for his second term because of all the power that he brought to America, and because, of course, they valued his position before his presidency. To the people, he was a strong powerful leader that they all followed, and solely respected Washington for being the military hero that won the nation’s freedom (Remini, PG). So when the second election came underway with the question of who would help America evade all the issues that popped up in 1792 and progress the nation even further, the answer was evident; George Washington for president.
Works Cited
"Key Facts About George Washington." George Washington's Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon Ladies Association, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. .
Remini, Robert V. Short History of the United States. New York: HarperCollins, 2008. Print.
At this time, Americans were following the French Revolution very closely, but France’s declaration of war on Great Britain hadn’t greatly affected American politics, yet. This changed in 1972, when none other than Edmond Charles Genêt was chosen to serve as the new French envoy to the United States. When he arrived, French supporters went crazy. Genêt saw this and decided to use his new popularity and influence to act on his radical beliefs. He attempted to gather troops to launch an attack on Spanish Florida and pay fleets of privateers to cripple British commerce. These actions violated Washington’s promise to remain "friendly and impartial toward the belligerent powers" which was the basis of his Neutrality Proclamation. Washington devised this treaty, which excluded the United States from the French Revolutionary Wars because America was still relatively young and unprepared for involvement in such international conflict.
Thomas Jefferson and George Washington are the two most prominent leaders in establishing a stable government after the adoption of the Constitution. After the Revolution, America was unstable but was controlled after policies and regulations were set under the presidency of Washington and Jefferson. Washington excelled in making the right decisions based on what he thought was right for America’s future. Jefferson expanded independence because of his wants for more political liberty and freedom of religion and education. Although the two had different views, they both succeeded in greatly changing the nation's government for the better. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson helped in establishing a stable government for the new nation by
Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. "Biography of George Washington." Biography of George Washington. Robert H. Smith and Family, 2014. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. Despite losing his father at a juvenile age, 11, Lawrence his half-brother, 14 years older, quickly took over as a surrogate father figure to all of his younger siblings. Washington’s mother, Mary, became very protecting after the death of her husband (Georges father), Augustine. She kept George from enlisting in the British Navy contrary to the wishes of older brother, Lawrence. George lived with his older brother from the time he was about 15 and attended school in Virginia and never went to college. He was very good at mathematics which was quite suitable to his later occupation as a surveyor. In 1752, Lawrence also passed away his c...
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.
Thomas Jefferson had many factions pushing and pulling on him. On one side a Federalist who was quoted by saying “We are to give money of which we have too little for land which we have too much.” (Greenspan pg. 2) On the other Jefferson had War Hawkes and farmers who wanted to go to war over the New Orleans. The most noted of whom was Alexander Hamilton who wrote under a pen name, Pericles, saying “The United States should seize at once Florida and New Orleans and then negotiate.” (Greenspan pg. 3) Thomas Jefferson possibly saved the nation from a premature civil war. Jefferson also believed with the France in the picture it would stop the United States from expanding westward. It also stopped Jefferson’s vision of an “Empire of Liberty.” (Clifford E. Clark Jr. pg. 241) Where Jefferson thought the United States would be the “benchmark of democracy” that other countries would
The major presidential candidate in the election of 1800, were John Adams, running for his second term in office, against his old friend, the democratic-republicans Thomas Jefferson. John Adams who was elected the second president after serving as a vice president for George Washington was a federalist who was pro-British and pro-centralization. He believed in a national bank ruled mainly by the wealthy and a strong federal government to restrain many popular opinions and majorities; thus, passing the Alien Sedition Acts to prohibit anyone from criticizing the president and prevent any threat to the nation.
George Washington set a legacy that we are still following and are inspired by today. His legacy that has been handed down for generations and for many generations to come, is one that provides our country with leadership and is the foundation of our country’s strength. George Washington is also known as the father of our country. After the American Revolution George Washington actually wanted to retire to his home in Mount Vernon. He refused to accept payment for his service in the Army. However, his country needed a good humble man like himself, and he could not say no to helping the country get started. Washington helped with the making of the Constitution, and he was elected president of the Second Continental Congress. The Constitution is still the law of the land 226 years later. He was elected as our first president in 1789. George Washington had to face some major problems as the first president of the United States. One was he had to build the foundation of our government. Right now our current presidents have to deal with world issues and debt. George Washington had to build the government from the ground up. Also, you have to realize that this is a baby country. This country that he is leading just got its independence from Great Britain, where they had a monarchy g...
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 main focus of Washington’s farewell address was to alert the citizens of the U.S. that America should not get involved in foreign relations, especially with the flare between the French and the British. He wanted America to stay neutral in foreign matters and not hold long term alliances with other nations. He stated “Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation.” He included how it is unwise for America to implicate itself with artificial ties. Washington believed that if America did conduct with foreign nations then they would influence people as well as government to act as they wanted. In other words, Washington encouraged Americans to take advantage as a new union and avoid as much political affairs with others.
In 1732, George Washington was born on his father's plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia. His father, Augustine, was a leading planter in the area and also served as a justice of the county court. His father’s first wife died in 1729, leaving him with Augustine Jr., Lawrence, and Jane. George’s father died when he was eleven, leaving most of the property to his two half brothers. There is not much known of George Washington’s education, but it is known that he did not attend college. Most of the children in Virginia were taught at local private schools or by tutors. Boys began school at around the age of seven, learning reading, writing, and basic arithmetic. He married Martha Dandridge Custis in 1759.
Washington knew that being the first president would set standards for the presidents in the future. He was determined to be a strong leader. He reigned with confidence, fairness, and nobility.
After the Revolutionary War, Congress had faced a huge debt. The United States owed money to the French since they aided support to the war.
George Washington was born on February 22th, 1732 in Virginia. He grew up as a country boy and loved his family. At the age of 17 he became a surveyor and had made a good reputation for himself as a responsible man. At the age of 20 he was assigned by the governor to send be a messenger
"His mind was great and powerful, without being of the very first order; his penetration strong . . . Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw a doubt, but, when once decided, going through with his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed." (Thomas Jefferson, as cited in "George Washington," 2006, para.19) George Washington is one of the most recognized and famous leaders in all history of the United States of America. He contributed greatly to the establishment of this prosperous country, from leading the Revolutionary armies into battle, to running the country as the first president, Washington has set precedence and example for all who have and are yet to follow. He was a noble man who demonstrated characteristics one would expect from a hero figure. He was not power-hungry, but did things and played his role for the good of the country, for patriotic purposes, to help America become the success it is today. In March of 1783, the soldiers of the American military were restless, bored and in a terrible state of doubt and distrust concerning the newly formed congress of the country. When these soldiers joined the army, they were promised a certain amount of money according to their service, but by the war's end, congress was nearly broke and not in a position to pay them all they had earned. The soldiers planned a rebellion against congress for their unjust treatment, and attempted to hold an unauthorized meeting of the officers on the matter. Washington forbade the meeting, but called for one a few days later, in which he gave his speech concerning the Newburgh Conspiracy ("The Rise and Fall," 2006, para.2). General Washington was a highly respected man among his peers, soldiers, and fellow men. His opinions, approval, and presence alone were enough to validate many plans, documents, and meetings throughout his life, so it is no wonder that even simple words or acts performed by General Washington were respected, and more often than not, taken to heart by his audience; perhaps this is why it may seem surprising that one of the most important speeches he ever gave fell on relatively deaf ears, leaving the audience hesitant, confused, seemingly unaffected by his powerful use of diction, and emotional appeal.