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 * President George Washington **

"// To the memory of the Man, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen" -John Marshall //


 * Full name:** George Washington
 * Birth-Death date:** February 22,1732 - December 14,1779
 * Political Party:** Was not officially in a party, but supported the Federalists
 * Date/Number of terms:** 2 terms (1789-1793), (1793-1797)
 * Vice President:** John Adams, 2 terms (1789-1793), (1793-1797)


 * Rating of President:**

President George Washington and his administration did a fantastic job and shall be graded with an A plus. He had carefully created precedents which future presidents would follow, contributed many ideas and actions to help the government prosper, made realistic goals and put his country first, used his position efficiently while respecting the other forms of power, along with having a modest and focused character.

George Washington had certain goals he wanted to achieve during his presidency. He wanted to create a strong federal government, where the people would be one successful nation working together, rather then separate moderate unions. Considering that in mind, he did not support political parties and wanted to convince the people not to form them because he felt as if the country would be separated. He wanted to make sure that the executive office was restrained from excessive amounts of power, but was still effective. Washington also needed to create a solution to the nation debt. President George Washington did not want the country to be involved in a war with Britain and France, but instead stay on terms with both nations. Lastly, Washington wanted to follow the Constitution, which may have been one of his most important goals. George Washington had accomplished many of these goals. He certainly created a foundation for a strong federal government, with the present day government as living proof. The executive office's power was kept in balance with the creation of the Judicial branch and the original Legislative branch. The precedents that George Washington set made certain the power in the executive branch was limited. He had also declared a Proclamation of Neutrality which made a decision to stay on neutral terms with other nations. The former president had also assisted in solving the national debt, by creating the Bank of the United States. He successfully stood by the Constitution, by letting the Whiskey Rebellion fall and enforcing the tax law. The only goal he had not accomplished was avoiding the creation of political parties.

Washington had a very successful working relationship with the Congress. He had respected the Congress, and let them do their job without interfering. He agreed to most of the laws that they wanted to pass, and did not veto unless it contradicted the Constitution. For example, he had passed the liquor tax bill, patent and copyright protection, tariffs to protect domestic manufactures, the ratification of the Bill of Rights, and plenty more. However, President Washington had refused to release the papers of the Jay's Treaty agreement the House of Representatives has asked him to do, for it was allowed under the Constitution. There was no dominant party rule in the Congress during his presidency, for political parties were not quite established until after his terms.

The most positive action President Washington made would be the Proclamation of Neutrality. Many colonists were unhappy with this decision, for they believed that they should ally with the French who had assisted them at war to fight their enemy, the British. However, Washington realized how unstable and feeble the country was, and how a war could destroy the newly independent country. He had made a decision that helped the country in the long run instead of giving in to the people. The most negative decision George Washington had done, if any, would be his choice of advisors. He had appointed Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State and the position Secretary of the Treasury to Alexander Hamilton. These two men disagreed completely on every solution Washington faced, and could not get along. As it was considerate for Washington to appoint them both to get both perspectives and choices, it wasted too much of his time when he could have been working on something else. It is not a very dramatic negative outcome, but Washington relatively made good decisions.

George Washington made numerous and impressive influential actions during his presidency. Since he was the first president, he also had the difficult responsibility in creating precedents for the future generation of presidents. He established the unwritten rule of the limit of serving only two terms, which was followed suit by all except Franklin Roosevelt (and eventually becoming the 22nd amendment). He had started the responsibility of being able to choose his own cabinet members, which is still continued today. Washington had also set an example on what the character of a president should be, and is now expected upon by the people. Washington had set the standard for how a President should behave, conduct actions, and work with the nation.

The country was defiantly better off after George Washington's presidency, and he certainly deserves an A plus for his terms in office. The first president had taken a great deal of care and consideration when he made his decisions, which resulted in a successful and thriving country. The national debt was slightly decreased, the country was indeed a connected union, and there were no troubles or war the country was suffering through. Washington had an extremely difficult and enormous responsibility to create a foundation on which the country and future generations to come would function under, but he completed the task splendidly. He may not have been the most intelligent, nor the best speaker, or possess the most animating personality, but there is no doubt he was the perfect man for the position. This was because of the fact he was not interested in the financial gain nor the fame, but reluctantly took the job to serve his country. George Washington was indeed the "father of the nation" as historians name him, for he nudged the country into a glorious beginning.

"American President: George Washington: A Life in Brief." Miller Center of Public Affairs. Web. 02 Sept. 2009. .
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"Overview of the George Washington Presidency: Washington’s Reputation and Integrity Critical to the New Nation | Suite101.com." American History: Wars, settlement, industry, the railroad, and north-south politics from the Pacific Northwest to the Great Plains, California to the eastern seaboard, 1600 to today. | Suite101.com. Web. 02 Sept. 2009. .

"(Page 2 of 37) - George Washington: Setting the Precedent for the Public Presidency authored by Hoffman, Karen." All Academic Inc. (Abstract Management, Conference Management and Research Search Engine). Web. 02 Sept. 2009. .

"Rediscovering George Washington . Timeline: Presidency |." PBS. Web. 02 Sept. 2009. .