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George Washington February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799: Westmoreland County, Virginia Terms of Office: April 30, 1789 – March 3, 1797 (2 terms) Vice President: John Adams 1789-1897 (2 terms) Political Party: Federalist George Washington was unanimously voted as the United State’s first president. Overall, Washington should deserve an “A-” for his presidency. With such a strong political background, Washington was more qualified for the position. His work in the House of Burgesses, the French and Indian War, the Continental Congress, the Revolution, and as well as the Constitutional Convention led the electors to collectively vote for him as president. George Washington laid out the guidelines for future presidents to follow, as well as playing a key factor of forming the United States as we know it today. Some of George Washington’s successes as President include the addition of the Bill of Rights into the constitution, showing federal authority during the Whiskey Rebellion, and Pinckney’s Treaty in 1795. Some things that Washington is criticized for include Jay’s Treaty, in 1795, as well as the Proclamation of Neutrality, in 1793.

Some of Washington’s goals included creating a nation above partisanship. His cabinet included people of all groups or political factions. He says in his inaugural speech that he pledges not to side with any “l ocal prejudices or attachments, no separate views nor party animosities…” Another goal of his presidency was to create a cohesive and successful government with the help of the people. He says, “ I assure myself that whilst you carefully avoid every alteration which might endanger the benefits of an united and effective government…a reverence for the characteristic rights of freemen and a regard for the public harmony will sufficiently influence your deliberations on the question how far the former can be impregnably fortified or the latter be safely and advantageously promoted .” He tried to remain impartial toward decisions made in the legislature. Washington laid out the foundation for the rest of the presidents to follow. His contribution to the government included determining how long a president’s term should be, as well creating a Supreme Court, and appointing all of the judges to the court. In today’s government there are obvious political sides and motivation to side with one or the other, but while Washington was president, he tried to be devoid of favoritism and look for what’s best for the nation and the greater good. Washington completed his goals of creating a united government by laying the bases for future generations.

George Washington’s relation with the congress started slow. With the new nation just beginning, no one really knew what a president’s job was or how things were to be done. The people had nothing to compare too. The congress had a large respect for Washington and therefore did not challenge his appointments. This eventually led to the president being able to choose his own cabinet. Some of the important legislation that was passed during his presidency includes the Judiciary Act of 1789 which established the Judiciary Branch of government as well as the US Attorney General, the Bank Act of 1791 which established America’s first bank, and the Militia Act of 1792 which created a state militia. The president would then have the authority to call upon the state militia under the federal government. Other important legislation that occurred during Washington’s presidency includes the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 and the Slave Trade Act of 1794. The Fugitive Slave Act stated that it was a crime to help an escaping slave and created a system of returning escaped slaves back to their masters. The Slave Trade Act was created to reduce the United States involvement in slave trade. It prohibited slaves to be exported from The United States. Washington refused to pass a bill if he thought it be unconstitutional. Although the majority of the congress favored Washington as Federalists, Washington tried to keep his point of view from the congress in attempt to not sway their opinion. Overall, the relationship between the congress and Washington was fairly new. Congress basically followed what Washington said.

One of the most positive decisions made by Washington and his administration was the addition of the Bill of Rights to the constitution. These rights gave certain freedoms to the citizens of the United States. This decision still affects the people of the US today. Although this is one of the most important decisions that made a lasting effect on the nation, there were several other decisions made by Washington that helped during his presidency. One of these decisions was made during the Whiskey Rebellion. When the tax on whiskey was raised to help cover the national debt, farmers from Pennsylvania rebelled. These farmers were used to taking their crops and turning it into alcohol to avoid paying fees for the transportation of grain. In order to show that this new government did indeed hold authority, Washington sent troops to the farmer’s fields to be inspected. This action made by Washington and his administration showed how they began to take control and set rules that must be followed. They acted on what rules they had formed in order to show that breaking the law will not be accepted. Another positive decision made by Washington and was the Pinckney Treaty. This treaty created a border between Spanish Florida and the US. This treaty helped the American economy of that time because Americans were now allowed access to the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans for exporting goods. These are few positive decisions from the many made by Washington.

Some negative points in Washington’s career that leads him to having an “A-” include Jay’s Treaty of 1795 as well as the Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793. Jay’s Treaty was mainly criticized by Jeffersonians. When trying to help eliminate the disagreement between Britain and America, Jay’s Treaty was signed. It surrendered the right of neutrality on the seas. Any American ship could now be searched. The treaty failed to solve one of the major problems between Britain and America: the forcing of people into government service. Washington is highly criticized for this treaty. Although it averted war at the time, the treaty still caused an opposition party to form under Jefferson. Eventually, the war was fought in 1812 when America was more prepared. Another criticized point during Washington’s presidency was the Proclamation of Neutrality. The treaty was signed to say that America would remain a neutral zone during the French Revolution. Critics say that America was turning its back on their ally, France. This proclamation was ignored and the French still came into America. Washington was attempting to save America from a war it was not ready to battle. These are some of the negative decisions that were made during Washington’s presidency. These decisions were made with the American people in mind.

George Washington’s presidency has affected all of the future’s of American presidents. Seeing as George Washington was the first president, he laid out how things should be run. It was his job to lay the foundation for the government and society. Today we are supposed to follow the same principles that Washington himself led his life by. He contributed to the making of this country. The presidents that followed after him, although had different viewpoints, followed the same basic procedures and guidelines that he created during his term as president. He was the one who decided that a president should only have two terms, and he passed multiple laws that effect the creation of the government. George Washington was probably one of the most influential presidents. He was the man who held the respect of every member of congress. As the new nation was starting out he ‘went with the flow’ and created the way we follow government now. Obviously some changes have been made over the time spans, but the foundation was laid by Washington himself. He had a big affect on all of the president that followed him, as well as future president of today.

In the end, the US was definitely better off than it was in the beginning with George Washington as president. Washington was one of the founding fathers of our nation. He led this country into its first years of freedom with a strong attitude. He succeeded in creating an established government and led this country in a good direction. With a few minor mistakes, Washington should be graded with an “A-” because overall, his contributions to this country definitely outweigh his small mistakes, in a big way.

Works Cited "American President: George Washington: Impact and Legacy." //Miller Center of Public Affairs//. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2011. . DeGregorio, William A.. "George Washington." //The complete book of U.S. presidents//. 6th ed. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade Books, 2005. 1-16. Print. "First term - George Washington - policy, war, election, domestic, foreign, second." //Presidents: A Reference History//. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2011. . "George Washington Biography - life, family, childhood, children, story, death, mother, young, old, information, born, house, time, year." //Encyclopedia of World Biography//. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2011. . "The Avalon Project : First Inaugural Address of George Washington." //Avalon Project - Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy//. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2011. . "U.S. Senate: Art & History Home > Origins & Development > Party Division." //U.S. Senate//. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2011. .

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