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George Washington Birth: February 22, 1732 Death: December 14,1799 Vice President: John Adams Terms: April 30, 1789- March 4, 1797 Political party: No party (Favored Federalists)

George Washington being the first president of the United States set an example for all presidents to come. I would give Washington an A- because, his presidency created the Nation we are today. Creating new acts and laws for our country he set the principles for the new nation. By creating the presidential succession act, first internal revenue law, a united bank for the nation, and the naturalization act his administration set basic principles for administrations to follow to present day. By creating a National bank he brought the states closer together to become a United Nation. Washington also in the whiskey rebellion, Jays treaty, the French revolution, and Pinckney's treaty showed that the newly created nation could become a powerful nation in the future by putting down the rebellion, making sure the other countries troops like Great Britain and Spain were not in the country, and by staying neutral in the French war against Britain, Spain, Austria, and Prussia. Washington also made the excellent decision to step down as president after his second term creating a standard for all presidents to come. Even with few minor mistakes Washington and his administration created the new nation and helped it begin to prosper. There were many goals of the Washington administration. Most of the major goals were signing treaties with Spain and England, like Jay's treaty and Pinckney's treaty, and making sure states ratified the constitution and other things to set up laws and the government of the United States. Jay's treaty made sure that by the year 1796 all British troops would be out of the United States. Pinckney’s treaty made sure that borders were made with the Spanish, which lead to further expansion of the west. The administration also set up a national banking system for the United states so that the states did not have separate money, this also made the states unify and trade could begin throughout the states without having to exchange money. The administration created new laws like the naturalization act which required citizens to live in the U.S. for five years before they could apply for citizenship, and the presidential succession act which if the president or vice-president die, the president pro tempore of the senate or the speaker of the house would take over as president. These goals helped shape the nation to become a power that it is today. Congress during Washington's administrations was a mix between two parties. These parties were the Democratic-Republicans (anti-Federalists) and the Federalists. The good thing for Washington was that he was non partisan which meant he had no political party, so he could side with either party, but because of Alexander Hamilton he mostly sided with the Federalists. Mostly the president got suggestions from the federalists party which was presumably Alexander Hamilton. Washington still respected ideas from people in the Anti-federalist party presumably Thomas Jefferson. This lead to a pretty even passing of laws and vetoing. In his first term there were seventeen federalists and 13 democratic- republicans in the senate and 48 federalists and 57 democratic-republicans in the house. Jays treaty was opposed at first by the Democratic-Republicans. In his second term there were 19 federalists and 13 Democratic-Republicans in the senate and 54 federalists and 52 Democratic-Republicans in the house. They thought that better terms could be made by threatening to cut off trade with England. It was however passed even though the Democratic-Republicans tried to cut off the money supply to enforce the treaty. This was the only major act the congress did not agree with Washington. Other than Jay’s treaty most laws acts and treaties were agreed upon though there were many disputes between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. The most positive action of the Washington administration was the decision of Pinckney’s treaty because it lead to the United States to expand further in the west without having to be attacked by the Spanish. It also let the United States deposit goods at the port in New Orleans. This lead to further trade not only with other countries but also with the Spanish and French in North America. The most negative action of the Washington administration was the decision of staying neutral in the French war on England, Spain, Austria and Prussia. This was very negative because even though it kept them on the safe side it made England think the U.S. was not on their side, which could trace to the future war of 1812. All in all Washington and his administration made more good decisions than bad, which was a good start for the growing nation. Washington's personal decision to step down as president of the United States was by far the most influential action to the presidents to follow. This decision was very important because it set a standard that the president could only serve two terms of 4 years. This was very important because it made sure that the president did not have s much power as a king, queen, or dictator. It also made sure that more power was secure the people and that the government was for the people, making sure that it was not a monarchy, or dictatorship, but a pure democracy. This lead to future presidents only being allowed to serve two terms of four years with the exception of F.D.R. After Washington’s two terms as president the country was better off because the nations fundamental values were created and this meant that every person living in the united states basically had the power of the nation and they were no longer told what to do by a king although there were laws, it was a nation for the people and by the people. The people of the united states could now expand to territories of Spanish control without worrying about the Spanish, they no longer had to worry about the British troops invading there homes for free and they could feel a sense of freedom because of this. Washington also created the naturalization act, which let anyone after living in the United States for five years become a citizen, which helped other people from other countries. All in all Washington and his administration helped shape the nation and put it together for presidents and generations to come.

Bibliography Smith, Carter. __Presidents Every Question Answered.__ Irvington, New York: Hylas publishing, 2004.