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George Washington (Febuary 22, 1732 - December 14 1799) Federalist (However, vehemently opposed the formation of political parties, fearing they would undermine republicanism) In office from April 30 1789 - March 4 1797 (2 terms) John Adams (April 30 1789 - March 4 1797)

The creation of the United States of America was not deliberate plan, executed with a set of predetermined steps. British tyranny, and the desire for liberty drove the colonists to independence almost overnight - thrusting George Washington to the head of a newly formed republic. In addition to setting a valuable precedent for future presidents, President Washington also successfully managed to hold the Union together, despite rivalries and idealistic differences between the various fledgling states. If assigning a grade to the presidency of George Washington, a “B” grade would be assigned for his role in several controversial (and ultimately successful) foreign policy decisions like Jay's Treaty and the 1793 Proclamation of Neutrality, while acknowledging that his presidency was not entirely successful in domestic policy arenas like slavery, and the Whiskey Rebellion.

 During his first inaugural address, President Washington urged congress to pass a law ..[showing] " reverence for the characteristic rights of freemen and a regard for the public harmony", which were guaranteed 2 years later by congress in 1791 in the form of the bill of rights. Despite the obvious implications and powers this bestowed upon the private citizen (or took away from government, as it was) reflects a larger movement on the part of Washington. At the 1787 Constitutional Convention, Washington is cited as saying that he did not expect the constitution to last more than 20 years. Despite this thought that the constitution would not last for 20 years, likely reasons why he may have believed so is individuals rights and how a colony of England rebelled and declared independence. An example of why he may have believed the original constitution was so weak can be seen clearly when he gave his 5 nephews pistols saying "unsheath them for the purpose of shedding blood...in defence of the country and its rights...".

Washington's relations to congress were typically strong throughout both terms of his presidency, however did encounter various disagreements throughout his service. Washington's relationships with congress were typically very strong; highlighted in events such as congress passing the Bill of Rights at Washington's request and allowing him to appoint those he felt fit to his cabinet without challenging them, indicating that Washington had a strong relationship with congress. However, there were various events during his terms that indicated that the relationship was not perfect. For example, the House of Representatives asked for a copy of all the materials pertinent to Jay's Treaty. President Washington chose to disagree, thereby setting precedent for a "need to know" command, which can be seen today by various document classifications within the government.

Although his goals were primarily that of domestic policy and precedent setting, Washington was faced with various foreign diplomacy challenges. Throughout his terms, he took the prudent course of action, and held isolationist policies generally geared toward keeping the United States out of any foreign wars or angering other sovereign powers, due to a weak military, as evidenced by the 1793 Proclamation of Neutrality. While the debate for whether or not it was our responsibility to support defensive ally France, the fact remains that there was no real need to actively declare our neutrality until we were asked to join the war or we were engaged. Biding our time may have proven a more effective strategy, and one that would have exhausted all other options before making a controversial decision with no good option. An arguably worse decision than this was Jays treaty and relinquishment of neutrality on the seas, leading to the jailing of many Americans in England and public embarrassment of the administration that allowed it. Although the U.S. got the short straw, it managed to establish working trade relations with Briton and delay the war of 1812. When considering the state of the American military as well as George Washington's isolationists policies and olive branch policies shown in the Whiskey Rebellion and 1791-1729 Indian relations, it falls in line with his policies and ideals. While Jay's treaty may not have been perfect or what the United States could have gotten out of their dealings with Briton, it achieved Washington's goals of setting precedent for future laws such as the Monroe Doctrine as well as keeping the United States safe from foreign threats.

George Washington's decision to urge the congress to give inalienable rights to all citizens is by far is the most important idea or concept that evolved out of his administration. In many ways, it was the first time that a government had gone so far as to take powers away from themselves. This was a unique idea at the time; no other citizens in the world were offered the same protection from the government that Americans were guaranteed, making the population of the United States happier, as well as reducing of a tyrant arising from the government. What is arguably the worst decision made by Washington was Jay's Treaty. While it secured valuable trade with England for the Untied States as well as delayed the war of 1812. While it accomplished these tasks, the decision to sign the treaty came at too high a cost. The impressment of naturalized British Americans in contraband searches cause discontent in the American public. While Jay's Treaty did not directly affect impressment, it did not secure neutral shipping rights; a shortcoming which caused diplomatic tensions between Briton and the United States.

One of the most important decisions made by George Washington during his presidency was to support the creation of a Bill of Rights. This decision effectively set judicial precedent ranging from Miranda v. Arizona to Bethel School District v. Fraser. For the time period, the Bill of Rights was the most limiting document on the rights of governmental power. The precedent of personal liberties set in the Bill of Rights can be seen worldwide in events such as the French Revolution. The concept of personal liberties is one of the most debated topics, even to this day, in issues such as the application of the First Amendment to Nazi demonstrations, and the limitations(or lack thereof) on the Second Amendment.

The ramifications of Washington’s presidency cannot be understated: Through his efforts, a stable, peaceful, and democratic government was established that still exists today. However, the quality of a presidency is not judged only by the success, but by the failures as well. Washington, keeping with the current social practice, kept slaves, and created the concept of a “national debt,” and approved taxation legislation leading to the infamous Whiskey Rebellions. For this reason, it is fair that President Washington receives a “B” grade for his presidency - for an excellent job done in foreign policy, and establishment of a new government, while also recognizing that his presidency was not without shortcomings.

 DeGregorio, William A. // The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents //. Fort Lee, NJ: Easton, 2009. Print."President Washington Inauguration Speech." // Bartleby.com: Great Books Online -- Quotes, Poems, Novels, Classics and Hundreds More //. Web. 26 Jan. 2011. .