Background InformationGeorge Washington was the first president of the United States (1789-1797) and is

one of the most important leaders in United States history. His role in gaining independence for the American colonies and later unifying them under the new federal government is immeasurable.

Washington had no formal education and he considered himself to be a planter and soldier. Washington established himself as an outstanding military leader during the French and Indian War.

After the war, he inherited the family home, Mount Vernon, and moved there with his wife Martha. During the next several years he served in the Virginia House of Burgesses and later as member of the First Continental Congress. When the British began attacking Boston, the Congress appointed Washington as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. After the defeat of the British in the American Revolution, he again returned to his farm. In 1787, he was elected as a Virginia delegate to debate whether or not to revise the Articles of Confederation. After the delegates decided to write a new Constitution, the delegates chose him to preside over the convention. Once the Constitution was ratified by the states, the Electoral College then elected him president of the United States

PresidencyWashington knew that as the first president he would set an example for others. Even

though the Constitution provided a framework for the new government, it did not explain how the President should govern from day to day. Washington therefore had to make many new and important decisions. He said, “There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.” A precedent is an act or decision that sets an example for others to follow. Many of Washington’s decisions and actions set precedents for those that would follow him. When members of the first Congress debated over how to address the president, Washington settled the debate by saying he preferred the simple title of “Mr. President.” Washington’s leadership style also set precedent. Washington brought a formality to the office of the president. He administered the government with fairness and integrity, assuring Americans that the President could exercise authority without corruption.

Political parties began to emerge during Washington’s first term of office due to different points of view on the powers of the federal government, the interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and economic and foreign policies. Washington himself opposed political parties; he feared they would divide the nation. He did agree to a second term as president because he was bothered by the growth of the parties during his first term as president. By serving only two terms as president, he set the precedent of a president not serving more than two terms for many years to come. Washington felt it was his civic virtue to serve the nation as the first president. Civic virtue is an obligation to take an active role in improving the community and the experiences of other members of the community.

Domestic Policy 1One of the major issues facing Washington during his presidency was domestic

policy. Domestic policies are issues within the country. Some examples of domestic policy today are health care or the environment. One of the first domestic policy decisions facing Washington was creating a cabinet. The Constitution does not mention a cabinet, but it gave Congress the powers to establish an executive department. Therefore, Congress created three departments in 1789. A Department of State was created to handle relations with other countries, a Department of War was established to defend the nation and a Department of the Treasury was established to oversee the nation’s finances. Washington chose Thomas Jefferson as the first Secretary of State, Henry Knox as the first Secretary of War (today this department is called the Department of Defense) and Alexander Hamilton as the first Secretary of the Treasury. Appointing cabinet members is another precedent set by Washington.

Drawing up a bill of rights was another domestic issue facing the new government. Washington left this up to Congress and the leadership of James Madison. It also became necessary to organize the judicial branch of government. In 1789, Congress created effective federal courts under the Judiciary Act. The act set up the Supreme Court, with a chief justice and associate justices, as well as federal district and circuit courts, and established the office of attorney general. John Jay became the first chief justice of the United States.

Domestic Policy 2The most critical domestic problem facing the new nation was money. The national

treasury was empty due to war debts of the American Revolution. As Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton introduced a financial plan to strengthen the nation’s economy. Part of Hamilton’s plan included an excise tax (a tax on the production or sale of a product) on whiskey and other “luxury” goods such as carriages. Settlers living west of the Appalachians protested the new tax and many farmers refused to pay the tax. A group of tax rebels in western Pennsylvania would not pay the tax. These “Whiskey Boys” tarred and feathered tax collectors that tried to collect the tax. This was known as the Whiskey Rebellion and Washington and Hamilton (Secretary of the Treasury) saw the Whiskey Rebellion as a threat to the authority of the national government. To show the power of the government, Washington led 13,000 state militia troops into western Pennsylvania to crush the rebellion. The Whiskey Rebellion was a serious challenge to the new nation’s ability to enforce its laws. By George Washington putting down the rebellion in Pennsylvania, it proved that the federal government had the authority to exert its power over the states.

Other domestic policies include: the Bank of the United States, in 1791, owned by the federal government and private investors for the collection of taxes and other federal monies, the establishment of the Post Office, and the New York Stock Exchange.

Foreign PolicyForeign policy covers the issues dealing with other nations. Washington realized that

any involvement with other nations would only hurt the United States and its fragile state of affairs. The country could not afford to get involved in foreign affairs. In 1793, a war broke out between France and Britain. Many Americans wanted the U.S. to help the French because they helped the colonists in the Revolution, but other Americans felt closer economic and family ties to the British. Washington solved the issue by declaring the U.S. neutral (not taking either side)

To ensure the policy of neutrality Washington sent John Jay to deal with the unresolved conflict between the U.S. and Britain over British presence in the Ohio River Valley. In 1795, Jay’s Treaty was ratified (approved), and British troops were required to withdraw from the U.S. Although the treaty was somewhat unpopular, it did accomplish the goal of maintaining peace between the two nations and preserving U.S. neutrality.

Once Jay’s Treaty was approved, Spanish leaders in nearby Spanish Florida were concerned over the possible alliance being formed between the U.S and Britain. Washington sent Thomas Pinckney to Spain to reduce the tension. In 1795, Pinckney’s Treaty with Spain gave Americans the right to travel freely on the Mississippi River, with the right to store goods at the port of New Orleans without paying custom duties. In addition, Spain agreed to the 31stparallel as the northern boundary of Florida and the southern boundary of the United States.

LegacyDuring Washington’s years in office, 1789-1797, Washington

proved himself as an able administrator. As president, Washington was responsible for establishing the procedures for running the new government, many of which are still in effect today. He held regular cabinet meetings, traveled the country, and stayed focused on the needs of the growing nation. He refused to run for a third term, establishing the precedent of a maximum of two terms for a president. Upon leaving office Washington gave a final statement to the American public. His Farewell Address warned against the growth of political parties. In foreign affairs, Washington acknowledged the need for temporary alliances, but warned against "permanent alliances." Finally, he urged the country to continue to honor the payment of all financial obligations. His Farewell Address left a lasting impact on the foreign policy of neutrality for generations to come.