Washington, George (Administration)

GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732–99) was the commander in chief of the rebel armies during the American [Page 1155]Revolution and, subsequently, the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. Born into an aristocratic elite, Washington was awarded positions of authority at early ages, and without experience. However, he proved his worth in the French and Indian Wars and subsequently rose to supreme commander of the army. This also enabled him to pursue his interests in the western expansion of the colony into the lands of the Native Americans. As a slave owner, he was forced to confront inequity and poverty. When, during the War of American Independence, the British offered freedom to slaves, thousands attempted to escape and flee to British-held areas. Subsequently, many hundreds were massacred on the orders of the white American military forces.

After the revolutionary forces and allied French defeated the British, Washington intended to retire, but was drawn back to politics because of the political failure of the early states operating under the Articles of Confederation. He was then instrumental in creating the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and was subsequently elected president.

As president, Washington attempted to balance, with customary aristocratic grace and manners, competing sides in the struggle between states and federal government, having been reluctant to accept the position of president; he was determined to avoid partisan squabbling. Nevertheless, he personally favored strengthening the national government, for example by deeming constitutional the foundation of the Bank of America and the federal assumption of state debts. To try to elevate the presidency above partisan politics, he toured both the north and south of the country. Still, conflict between the Democratic-Republican faction adhering to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton widened and, as Washington favored the latter, members of the former issued various attacks on his character and policies.

Washington appears to have had a patrician approach to his people and religion, believing in the need to develop the religious nature of the American people, and appointing chaplains to police the morals and behavior of the people. He also believed that members of the state must bend their personal beliefs to join with those of the state and the majority. He was very conscious of the fact that all of his acts as president, as well as those of all members of his administration, were creating precedents and believed that all people should be mindful of this. Unfortunately, this attitude has led to a sense of considerable overreverence for the acts of the early independent state in modern America.

In terms of foreign policy, Washington preferred to maintain a neutral and isolationist stance until the country could grow stronger. Under his administration, the making of foreign policy became largely a function of the presidential office. In his farewell speech, he stressed the twin goals of union at home and independence internationally.