George Washington's First Presidential Term

Following the ratification of the United States Constitution by the Constitutional Convention and all thirteen colonies, the brand new nation of the the United States of America elected George Washington as its first President in 1789. George Washington received every electoral vote during his first election, a feat that has never been matched by any U.S. President in any election since. John Adams, a previous member of the Continental Congress, became Washington's Vice President. Being sworn into office on April 30, 1789, Washington began his first term as President by setting precedents for future Presidents. At his inauguration ceremony, Washington added the famous words "so help me God" to the end of the Presidential oath, a common practice followed by Presidents after him. Additionally, George Washington did much to set the tone for how the President of the United States ought to behave and be treated. Removing all European pomp and royal tradition from his office as President, Washington sought to portray a professional, yet relatable image of who the President of the U.S.A. should be. For example, he requested that others refer to him as "Mr. President," instead of other more glamorous titles. Also, Washington initially refused to receive a salary for his position as President, most likely for the same reason that he had been hesitant to receive the nomination for President in the first place: he wanted to project an image of himself as a selfless civil servant with no desire to pursue his own fame or political success. Beyond his role in crafting a model image of what the office of the President should be, he also set important precedents in how the President of the United States should lead the nation and interact with the other branches of government as well as with the sovereign states. He formed an advisory Presidential cabinet with which he regularly met to debate and discuss decisions he had to make. Although Washington himself did not belong to any political party and was opposed to the idea, the differing opinions among members of his cabinet paved the way for the future creation of political parties in America. Additionally, his handpicked heads of his cabinet also served to advise Congress on legislative activities during Washington's first term. However, Congress was less receptive to this action during Washington's first term than during his second term. Regardless, during the first term, Congress passed legislation that granted the President the power to remove public officials from office who were originally placed into office by Congress. This move by Congress perhaps reflected the beliefs of Washington in a strong executive branch. Beyond his influence in politics, Washington also supported the legislation of several important federal laws. The Residence Act of 1790 enacted federal taxation with the goal of paying off the war debt from the American War for Independence. Another law created an excise tax on liquor. This tax law eventually led to the Whisky Rebellion in Pennsylvania and the surrounding frontier. Since the federal army was too small at the time to put down the rebellion, Washington passed the Militia Act of 1792, granting the President power to essentially "draft" state militias to enter active duty for the national government. George Washington personally led the militia troops into battle and quickly suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion. As the end of his first term arrived, Washington again appeared disinterested in running for a second term. However, no other candidates rose to the occasion, and Washington graciously succumbed to the many requests across the nation for him to serve another term as President of the United States.Following the ratification of the United States Constitution by the Constitutional Convention and all thirteen colonies, the brand new nation of the the United States of America elected George Washington as its first President in 1789. George Washington received every electoral vote during his first election, a feat that has never been matched by any U.S. President in any election since. John Adams, a previous member of the Continental Congress, became Washington's Vice President. Being sworn into office on April 30, 1789, Washington began his first term as President by setting precedents for future Presidents. At his inauguration ceremony, Washington added the famous words "so help me God" to the end of the Presidential oath, a common practice followed by Presidents after him. Additionally, George Washington did much to set the tone for how the President of the United States ought to behave and be treated. Removing all European pomp and royal tradition from his office as President, Washington sought to portray a professional, yet relatable image of who the President of the U.S.A. should be. For example, he requested that others refer to him as "Mr. President," instead of other more glamorous titles. Also, Washington initially refused to receive a salary for his position as President, most likely for the same reason that he had been hesitant to receive the nomination for President in the first place: he wanted to project an image of himself as a selfless civil servant with no desire to pursue his own fame or political success. Beyond his role in crafting a model image of what the office of the President should be, he also set important precedents in how the President of the United States should lead the nation and interact with the other branches of government as well as with the sovereign states. He formed an advisory Presidential cabinet with which he regularly met to debate and discuss decisions he had to make. Although Washington himself did not belong to any political party and was opposed to the idea, the differing opinions among members of his cabinet paved the way for the future creation of political parties in America. Additionally, his handpicked heads of his cabinet also served to advise Congress on legislative activities during Washington's first term. However, Congress was less receptive to this action during Washington's first term than during his second term. Regardless, during the first term, Congress passed legislation that granted the President the power to remove public officials from office who were originally placed into office by Congress. This move by Congress perhaps reflected the beliefs of Washington in a strong executive branch. Beyond his influence in politics, Washington also supported the legislation of several important federal laws. The Residence Act of 1790 enacted federal taxation with the goal of paying off the war debt from the American War for Independence. Another law created an excise tax on liquor. This tax law eventually led to the Whisky Rebellion in Pennsylvania and the surrounding frontier. Since the federal army was too small at the time to put down the rebellion, Washington passed the Militia Act of 1792, granting the President power to essentially "draft" state militias to enter active duty for the national government. George Washington personally led the militia troops into battle and quickly suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion. As the end of his first term arrived, Washington again appeared disinterested in running for a second term. However, no other candidates rose to the occasion, and Washington graciously succumbed to the many requests across the nation for him to serve another term as President of the United States. Following the ratification of the United States Constitution by the Constitutional Convention and all thirteen colonies, the brand new nation of the the United States of America elected George Washington as its first President in 1789. George Washington received every electoral vote during his first election, a feat that has never been matched by any U.S. President in any election since. John Adams, a previous member of the Continental Congress, became Washington's Vice President. Being sworn into office on April 30, 1789, Washington began his first term as President by setting precedents for future Presidents. At his inauguration ceremony, Washington added the famous words "so help me God" to the end of the Presidential oath, a common practice followed by Presidents after him. Additionally, George Washington did much to set the tone for how the President of the United States ought to behave and be treated. Removing all European pomp and royal tradition from his office as President, Washington sought to portray a professional, yet relatable image of who the President of the U.S.A. should be. For example, he requested that others refer to him as "Mr. President," instead of other more glamorous titles. Also, Washington initially refused to receive a salary for his position as President, most likely for the same reason that he had been hesitant to receive the nomination for President in the first place: he wanted to project an image of himself as a selfless civil servant with no desire to pursue his own fame or political success. Beyond his role in crafting a model image of what the office of the President should be, he also set important precedents in how the President of the United States should lead the nation and interact with the other branches of government as well as with the sovereign states. He formed an advisory Presidential cabinet with which he regularly met to debate and discuss decisions he had to make. Although Washington himself did not belong to any political party and was opposed to the idea, the differing opinions among members of his cabinet paved the way for the future creation of political parties in America. Additionally, his handpicked heads of his cabinet also served to advise Congress on legislative activities during Washington's first term. However, Congress was less receptive to this action during Washington's first term than during his second term. Regardless, during the first term, Congress passed legislation that granted the President the power to remove public officials from office who were originally placed into office by Congress. This move by Congress perhaps reflected the beliefs of Washington in a strong executive branch. Beyond his influence in politics, Washington also supported the legislation of several important federal laws. The Residence Act of 1790 enacted federal taxation with the goal of paying off the war debt from the American War for Independence. Another law created an excise tax on liquor. This tax law eventually led to the Whisky Rebellion in Pennsylvania and the surrounding frontier. Since the federal army was too small at the time to put down the rebellion, Washington passed the Militia Act of 1792, granting the President power to essentially "draft" state militias to enter active duty for the national government. George Washington personally led the militia troops into battle and quickly suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion. As the end of his first term arrived, Washington again appeared disinterested in running for a second term. However, no other candidates rose to the occasion, and Washington graciously succumbed to the many requests across the nation for him to serve another term as President of the United States.