George Washington’s Presidency
In 1783, with a peace treaty signed between Great Britain and the U.S.,
Washington, believing he had done his duty, gave up his command of the army and
returned to his home, Mount Vernon. However, in 1787, he was asked to attend the
Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and head the committee to draft the new
constitution. His impressive leadership there convinced the delegates that he was by
far the most qualified man to become the nation’s first president. At first,
Washington hesitated. He wanted to, at last, return to a quiet life at home and leave
governing the new nation to others. But public opinion was so strong that
eventually he gave in. The first presidential election was held on January 7, 1789,
and Washington won handily. John Adams, who received the second-largest
number of votes, became the nation’s first vice president. The 57-year-old
Washington was inaugurated on April 30, 1789, in New York City. Because
Washington, D.C., America’s future capital city wasn’t yet built, he lived in New
York and Philadelphia as president.
The United States was a small nation when Washington took office,
approximately 4 million people, and there was no precedent for how the new
president should conduct domestic or foreign business. Mindful that his actions
would likely determine how future presidents were expected to govern, Washington
worked hard to set an example of fairness, cautiousness, honesty and integrity.
Washington is mostly remembered for these precedents he set while in office (see
chart). Washington surrounded himself with the best and brightest in the nation.
Sometimes these minds had different political views. Washington believed that
divergent views were critical for the health of the new government, but he was
distressed at what he saw as an emerging political party system, which he mentions
in his farewell address after serving two terms.
PRECEDENTS
2 Terms – Washington stepped down after two terms as President.
This is often referred to as his most important precedent. Stepping
down from a position of power was unique for the world at the time.
Washington, however, had been looking forward to retired life. By
stepping down he showed future presidents that 8 years was enough.
Every President (except one) followed this example and stepped down
after two terms as president.
Established a Cabinet Washington was aware of the many
tasks he was going to have to perform.
He asked Congress to approve a group
of advisors later called “the Cabinet”.
Washington’s Cabinet had four
positions. The cabinet still exists
today but is much larger with 15
positions. Washington’s cabinet was
as follows…
Act as Commander and Chief –
In January 1791, President George
Washington's Secretary of the
Treasury Alexander Hamilton
proposed an apparently innocent tax
"upon spirits distilled within the
United States, and for the sale of such
spirits." What Congress failed to
predict was the passionate rejection of
this tax by Americans living on the
frontier of Western Pennsylvania. By
 State Department – handles foreign 1794, the Whiskey Rebellion, as it was
relations – Thomas Jefferson
known, threatened the stability of the
• Treasury Department – handles emerging United States and forced
President Washington to personally
financial matters –Alexander
lead the United States militia
Hamilton
westward to stop the rebels. He used
• War Department – provides
his authority as commander and chief
national defense – Henry Knox
to send in troops and crush the
• Attorney General – handles
rebellion. This action set the
national legal affairs –Edmund
precedent that any President could
enforce laws and mobilize troops at
Randolph
their will.
Made Inauguration Speech –
Called “Mr. President” –
Washington was sworn into office on
April 30, 1789. He added the words
“So Help Me God” at the end of the
oath. This tradition stuck. He also
took the opportunity to make a speech
on a balcony in lower Manhattan. This
became a tradition mimicked by every
president since. Usually presidents
use the speech to outline their plans
for their upcoming term. Some of
America’s leaders have made their
most memorable speeches during
their inauguration address.
With the Presidency being new,
people did not know what to call the
man to show respect. People
suggested “His Highness” or “His
Excellency.” Adams even suggested
"His Highness, the President of the
United States, and Protector of their
Liberties." Washington stated that he
preferred “Mr. President” shrugging
off the others as being too elitist. He
felt the President should be a man of
the people and therefore needed a
simpler title. Mr. President is a term
that still is used today.