answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

President: George Washington (1732-1799)

Term: April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797

Background: Washington was born to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington near the present-day Colonial Beach in Westmoreland County, Virginia. As a young boy, he worked as a surveyor, which made begin the career of a planter in 1748. Washington was then given the title of district adjutant general in the Virginia army in 1752. In 1775-1783, he head the Continental Army to the Kingdom of Great Britain in the Revolutionary War and during the process, he succeed. Washington was not content with the Articles of Confederation, which lead him to draft the United States Constitution during the Philadelphia Convention in 1787.

Political Party: none

Vice-President: John Adams

Major Domestic Policy: Washington was the first President of the United States, making him take a big role in our country. At the time he was in office, the thirteen states were not united and were known as an independent nation. Washington increased the power of the United States by using the Federal government and used The Judiciary Act of 1789 to establish a Court system. When problems began to arise with money during the war for independence, Washington sought help from Hamilton. The United States owed much money to foreign countries and also owed more then $45,000,000 to its citizens. Hamilton formed a plan to create a bank in America. The bill passed congress and was then signed by Washington. The first bank was opened in 1791. Hamilton then thought of another plan in order to increase revenue to pay of the debts. He created an excise tax on whisky. When this went into effect, riots broke out and The Whisky Rebellion began in 1794. Washington took charge and sent an army of 15,000 soldiers, which ended the rebellion. Washington's time in office help the United States gain some source of stability.

Major Foreign Policy: Although United States had established peace from Great Britain from The Treaty of Paris of 1783 it was still unstable. Washington worked towards gaining the United States Stability. Washington sent Thomas Pinckney to talk to Spain in order for the United States to be able to sent ships to the Mississippi river, which was south of the border created by the Treaty of Paris. Once Pinckney returned, he had accomplished to create a treaty that allowed the U.S. the right to use the Mississippi river and the right to drop off items at New Orleans. During this time, John Jay was sent to talk to the British. Great Britain had stated that it would not obey the Treaty of Paris until the United States paid all of its debts to Britain. Jay returned with a Jay Treaty, which stated that British agreed to leave the post, but U.S. ships were not allowed to trade for sugar or molasses with the West Indies. Washington wanted to avoid war with Great Britain to all extent. He denied the French help during the French revolution. By avoiding war, Washington was able to make the U.S. government grow strong and obtain stability.

Major Supreme Court Decisions: None

Intellectual and Social Developments:

• The Judiciary Acts was put into play, which allowed the Supreme Court to be formed and also gave the power to the Congress to establish "inferior courts." This act created six Supreme Court Justices. Also, thirteen district courts and the three Circuit Courts. The office of the Attorney General was established.

• The Tariff of 1789 was passed on the 4th of July and created duties on about 90 different goods. This was used as a source of income.

• In 1794, the Whiskey Rebellion broke out in farm areas of Pennsylvania and North Carolina. This Rebellion broke out because an excise tax was placed on Whiskey. The army took charge under Washington's command. Fifteen thousand men arrived in Pennsylvania, which ended the riot easily.

• The first bank was created in 1791. The dilemma over the bank ended in a rise of the political parties. The people for the bank became the Federalist, while the people who disagreed with the bank became the Democratic Republicans.

• The Jay Treaty was signed in 1795 was created to allow American trade within the Indies but their ship could not include cotton, molasses, or sugar. British ships would have to get out of the Northwest trading and military post.

• The Pinckney Treaty was signed in 1795 because American's weren't able to navigate their ships in the Mississippi river and drop off goods in New Orleans. Pinckney was sent by Washington to negotiate with the Spanish we were not allowing American's to cross this barrier. Once the treaty was signed, American's gained all access to these areas.

• On September 17, 1796, Washington stated in his Farewell Address that he would not be running for another term. He then warned people of political parties and military alliances.

Washington's Legacy: Washington became a president to a new country that was not very stabilized. He was able to maintain our country and form it into an independent nation from Britain. His ideas on not being part of a political party helped our country avoid feud. His belief and devotion towards republicanism made him a great leader and made America into a strong independent nation. Washington also created the First Cabinet and appointed four members. Since he created the Supreme Court, he appointed the first ten justices. Washington also helped create the first bank, which he singed the bill for once it was passed through Congress. Washington helped create the basic life that was need for America and created a stable environment that would help the next president carry on.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

George Washington essay

Introduction: Among all the names listed in American history the name of George Washington will always remain to be one of the brightest names. This is not just due to the fact that this man was the first president of the United States of America, but also due to his personality. For contemporary people George Washington is more than just a politician – he is a national pride and an example for many of his followers.

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. His parents were Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. As Mary Ball Washington was Augustine’s second wife, George had two half brothers. One of them – Lawrence, became a substitution of his father when Augustine Washington died in 1943[Warren, Part 1]. Lawrence’s home – Mount Vernon became George’s real home after his father’s death. Young George did not get proper formal education and had to grow up very quickly as he had to occupy his brother’s place in the Army and inherit Mount Vernon. By 1754 George Washington was already a lieutenant colonel [White House info.] and everything he went through while being an aide to General Edward Braddock turned him into the commander of Virginia's entire military force [Warren, Part 2]. After this, in 1759 George married a beautiful widow Martha Dandridge Custis and started a happy life with her and her two children. Though George Washington was in love with his wife, his heart was constantly worrying for everything happening to the country and it was very hard for him to stand away from the most prominent events. In 1775 he visits the Second Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia and becomes the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army [White House]. During this period George Washington had both - victories and defeats while fighting the French.It was a very hard type for the troops did not have enough supply and the battles very dangerous. Even though Washington, in spite of him being on of the best commanders, did not have enough experience to fight and those were the moments when he turned on his improvisational-powers. He always showed his soldiers the courage to keep doing ahead no matter what and did not consider retreating a crime if it saved priceless lives of healthy soldiers. He was the one who defended Boston and New York City, showing American strength to the British Army. In 1781 he George Washington made the Cornwallis’s army surrender and brought America one of its outstanding victories [Warren / Part 3]. After that Washington comes back to Mount Vernon but does not spend much time there. He heart always stayed with his country no matter how much he loved his home and family.

Conclusion: The year of 1789 became the time when he was elected as the first president of the United States of America and stayed there for two terms until 1797, showing dedication and love for his country. A lot of myths are connected with the name of George Washington; nevertheless most of them are not true and are usually the creation of the authors who dedicated books to one of the most outstanding men in the history of America – George Washington. He died in 1999 as a happy man back in Mount Vernon surrounded by his family. This brave man was and will always stay an example for every single young person now. An example of how a man can stay pure in his heart even going through so many hardships.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

A reluctant but great leader.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Can you give a brief summary about George Washington?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp