George Washington
George Washington is often noted for his accomplishments as both the first President of the United States and for his bravery during the French Revolution, but his seemingly unpopular actions displayed true integrity and will to do what is best for his country. He placed the well-being of the United States before his personal beliefs. Although opponents will often disagree, President Washington’s decision to ratify Jay’s Treaty in 1795 provided the United States with a necessary alliance that ultimately neutralized future relations with Great Britain and set the precedent for executive power. After signing the Treaty of Paris in 1783 that ended the Revolutionary War which granted the United States its independence from Britain, tension remained constant between the two nations. Prior to Jay’s Treaty, Washington announced a Proclamation of Neutrality in 1793 that proclaimed the United States’ bipartisanism in the war between France and Great Britain. He believed America was too young and unstable to risk a conflict with another country. In remaining neutral, Washington hoped to preserve crucial trade relations with both countries (“The Proclamation of Neutrality 1793”). During the French Revolution, the British were still allowed to export goods to be sold in the American markets, yet would not allow American ships to use British ports. Britain imposed tariffs and restrictions on American trade, leading to even more tension between the two nations
George Washington became the first president of the United States soon after winning the war against Great Britain, America becoming the first independent 13 colonies. Since the beginning of his presidency people trusted him, being the one who led the country to victory as the General, contributed to people having faith in him. It states in the book that he chose the Country’s well-being before his own and often made decision following his gut, “he took pains to elevate the public good over private interest and projected honesty and honor over ambition.”(Johnson) Washington took great responsibility and honor of the New build Nation, he didn’t take matters lightly choosing what was best for his country. During his presidency, he was a visionary
He has first gained public notice when he went to persuade the French the leave the Ohio Valley as they threatened to drive out the English (“George Washington”). This began to what is known as the Seven Year’s French and Indian War. After this war, many taxes were created to pay for the debt of Britain Protection. New Englanders felt the taxes were an abuse of power and began an American Revolution at Lexington and Concord in which Washington joined the Continental Congress and was named the Commander in Chief of the Continental forces. He led the forces to a moral boosting victory at Valley Forge against the British. After the war, he became the most important man in the country (“George Washington”). Washington retired from the army and became elected the first president of the United States after the new government was formed. When he retired from office he had given his ‘Farewell Address’ speech that included two main priorities for the success of America: no political parties and no foreign affairs (Williams). Although tensions between the French and British were inevitable, Washington was vital in the victory of the later Revolutionary War from the military knowledge he gained from the Seven Year’s War. Washington was extremely influential; thus, without him the ratification of the Constitution would not have been possible. The checks and balances system would not have been created resulting
A revolution is not an event that comes around every few years. In fact, for an event to be considered a revolution that event must bring about significant political, social, ideological, religious or even technological change. Throughout history there have been some very noteworthy revolutions such as the Agricultural Revolution, the American Revolution, and the French Revolution. Of all the revolutions in history, it is perhaps the French Revolution that remains the most romanticized in the minds of the people. The French Revolution was, at its core, a revolution of the masses, for the masses. It was a long, violent affair, lasting from 1787 to 1799. Like most periods of historical importance, the French Revolution was not caused by a single, specific event in history. It was rather the result of the accumulation of many events spread all through the 18th century. Some of the most important causes of the French Revolution were the economic crisis, the rising tensions between the social classes, the shortcoming of the rule of Louis XVI, and the Age of Enlightenment.
Presidency requires an immense amount of responsibility and rational thinking, and depending on the person, it can either lead to a strong and independent nation or an extensive amount dilemmas. When ranking the first four presidents of the United States from best to worst, it is not difficult to argue that the order would have to be George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and lastly James Madison. George Washington was not only our first president, but also evidently one of the best presidents of the United States. He accomplished numerous things including fixing the many problems that America was facing at the time. He also created what is referred to as the “president’s cabinet” which consisted of a group of chosen leaders that
In terms of base of power Washington is unmatched. He was elected unanimously and there was never any doubt that he would be the first President. In terms of instruments he relied on a good relationship with congress and a strong cabinet. As the first President of the United States Washington set a variety of precedents, among them are the supremacy of the federal government, the cabinet system, the serving of two terms and the relationship of the president to the other branches. Washington’s tenure as president set the standard for later presidents and created a firm foundation of legitimacy to the office. It is for these reasons he is considered among the most successful Presidents.
George Washington was the first president of the United States and was a General in the Continental army. George Washington served a four year term as President and that’s why we have the limit of how long a President can be in office. While he was General of the Continental Army there was a problem with supplies for the troops witch was one of his hardest challenges he faced as General. He was selected to be General of the continental army by the Continental Congress. George Washington was then man who second Patrick Henrys movement which allowed Henry to give the speech “Give me Liberty or Give me Death.” George Washington also supported the movement to not let any African Americans fight in the war on the patriot side. George Washington
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
George Washington (1732-99) was commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) and served two terms as the first U.S. president, from 1789 to 1797. The son of a prosperous planter, Washington was raised in colonial Virginia. As a young man, he worked as a surveyor then fought in the French and Indian War (1754-63). During the American Revolution, he led the colonial forces to victory over the British and became a national hero. In 1787, he was elected president of the convention that wrote the U.S. Constitution. Two years later, Washington became America’s first president. Realizing that the way he handled the job would impact how future presidents approached the position, he handed down a legacy of strength, integrity and national purpose. Less than three years after leaving office, he died at his Virginia plantation, Mount Vernon, at age 67.
George Washington was an outstanding first President for the United States of America, as he set the presidency for all preceding presidents. He served as president starting in 1789 and ending in 1797. Having been the only president in history to be unanimously voted for, just goes shows how much the people supported him and what he stands for. Washington demonstrated the power of the federal government by acting on the Whisky Rebellion in 1794. Although, he also chose to keep the United States neutral because we were a new country, this did not reduce tension. However, he signed the Jay Treaty to continue trade relations with Britain. Through his great
George Washington, a Federalist and first president of the United States encountered a problem with the British. The British still had British soldiers in Fort Detroit and Fort Niagara. However, in 1793 Great Britain feared that the American neutrality was a way for America to ship grain to other parts in Europe. This resulted in the creation of the Orders in Council, which banned all of America’s commercial links with France and the French Caribbean Islands. Federalists and Democratic-Republicans both wanted to take action against the British but they did not agree with the solutions that they imposed. For example, Washington proposed the Jay’s Treaty, but both sides had different opinions and the Federalists favored it, while the Democratic-Republicans despised it. The Federalist party favored this treaty because it was an effort to have better relations with Britain, however, the Democratic-Republican party opposed this idea because they wanted to have a better alliance with France, instead of Britain. The Jay’s Treaty only accomplished a little bit of what Washington had hoped it to fix because Great Britain did agree to pay money for its attacks on shipping since 1793, but they did not end the ban on neutral shipping France or to pay for earlier American losses. Thus, the Federalists and namely President George Washington,
Washington set up several peace treaties with Native Americans and established the Jay Treaty in 1794 which established peace and trade. Even though the first job of president was hard, the most important part of his presidency was the end of it. Washington set many precedents for future presidents. Washington could have ruled America until he died, but he stepped away from office after two terms, which set the precedent of a two term presidency. He also crystallized the power of a three part government and set a good example of how a balance of power could work.
Prior to the War of 1812 America attempted to remain neutral regarding the war between Great Britain and France. George Washington, who was president at the time, even created the Neutrality Proclamation in an effort to keep the young nation out of conflicts abroad. However, persistent harassment from Great Britain and France at sea, including trade restrictions and impressment, caused America’s neutrality to be threatened. Both countries did this by blockading ports of trade and by creating commercial sanctions. Foreign trade had been booming prior to the war for the United States; since
George Washington was the first president of The United States. Before that George Washington lead though the British Proclamation Act of 1763—prohibiting settlement beyond the Alleghenies—irritated him and he opposed the Stamp Act of 1765, Washington did not take a leading role in the growing colonial resistance against the British until the widespread protest of the Townshend Acts in 1767. His letters of this period indicate he was totally opposed to the colonies declaring independence.
It is 1789 and France is raging with war and riots that deteriorate the Government of France. A cabinet meeting is held in New York City. The Cabinet must come forth and make a decision on how to react to the explosion of war in France.Washington and his advisors’ Jefferson, Hamilton, and the rest of the Cabinet construct a meeting to discuss how to help France. Jefferson yells, “They are our allies and we must help them” while Hamilton and Washington are scared for an uprising in the states. They eventually decide to stay neutral. This is bad decision making, bias towards Hamilton and his inability to make tough decisions because we should have given assistance to France. George Washington was an ineffective leader because of his bias towards
During the 18th century, the Enlightenment ideas were flourishing in both the American and French Revolutions. The Enlightenment perspective consisted of people searching for their social prestige, questioning authorities and believing they could create a new republic. The Americans aimed for independence and the French desired to overthrow their monarchy. The objective in both revolutions were relatively the same, to overthrow and recreate in efforts to achieve national sovereignty. However, the outcomes of the two socials worlds were radically different. The French citizens emerged more enlightenment thinkers demanding their equal rights despite regressing back to a monarch. In contrast, the Americans formed a successful democratic republic but continued inequality within their society. Furthermore, the French were significantly more revolutionary, as opposed to reactionary, than the Americans.