During the eighteenth century, the American Revolution ended and the Constitution was born. Before the Constitution, the failed attempt of government, the Articles of Confederation, left the states with too much power and a weak central government. Following the formation of the new government, George Washington took office as the United States’ first president. Prior to this he was a general who fought in the Revolutionary War. Having been a successful general, he was elected into office. Washington had to closely monitor his actions because everything he did set a precedent for future leaders. In his eight year presidency, George Washington faced a multitude of hardships such as economy, foreign policy, and political parties.
To begin, economic
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While fighting the Revolution, the United States borrowed large sums of money from France, the Netherlands, and Spain to fund their struggle for independence. This debt totaled over 52 million dollars. The government believed that America had to reimburse those nations in order to gain their respect. Alexander Hamilton’s Financial Plan suggested various ways in which government could collect money from Americans so that they could pay back for the goods and services provided to the government during the war. Tariffs, taxes on imported goods that American’s had to pay, were put in place to raise funds. This strengthened the economy, as an additional form of income was prevalent, also relieving some stress from Washington. Moreover, the assumption of state debt became a prominent problem for Washington to deal with. In December 1790, Virginia’s …show more content…
His citizens split against each other, defending different sides of a pressing issue. People took sides on how to view the Constitution, where the majority of power should go, and involvement in the war between the French and the British. When it came to viewing the Constitution, one party favored strict interpretation while the other faction wanted a loose interpretation. Strict interpretation meant that if something wasn’t written specifically in the Constitution, it was illegal. Loose interpretation opposed that and believed that the only rules one has to follow are those written in the law. This was caused by Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton disagreeing on this topic and each gaining followers. Another issue that divided the citizens were those who defended more state power and those who wanted a stronger federal government. Some people wanted a stronger central government and were previously called Federalists. Others, however, did not and were formerly named Anti Federalists. This separated the population in half, yet again, due to beliefs on a certain topic. Washington recognized the possible obstruction to the nation from political parties. In his Farewell Address, President Washington informed his people of the danger that comes with them. “I… warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects [of political parties].” (Document 6). He was referring to his first
In the book of His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis, the author introduces Washington, the Father of the United States, in a fresh portrait focused on the characters of Washington. This book is an impressive biography of Washington's remarkable dedication to the United States history. According to the author, George Washington is an omnipresent figure as he was growing up, described as the man in the moon who was aloof and silent. This book focuses on Washington's wartime service which became some of his major contributions to the United States, rather than merely telling the true story of Washington, its main thesis is focusing on analyzing his contributions and how his governorship had affected the American history. Washington's life is divided into three areas in this book.
Independence can be expensive. While the American Revolutionary War very costly casualty-wise, it left a young, new nation with millions of dollars of domestic and foreign debt. This staggering debt, at the time, totaled 77.1 million dollars, 1.27 billion in today’s american dollar. Debt was divided throughout the colonies, since there was no umbrella organization, like the government, to pay off the tax as one tax rather than haphazardly dealing out twelve different recompenses. Alexander Hamilton feared this debt and drafted his plan of action to keep the debt at bay and to repay the tax in a simple way--or so it seemed.
The American Revolution happened to be a very expensive war for America. In order to supply for her military, congress found it necessary to accept loans from France. Following the Revolutionary War, America faced a debt of roughly $80 million to both foreign nations and American citizens. This debt damaged the economy by devaluing money issued by the Continental Congress. Wanting to find quick solutions to these timorous problems as quickly as possible, George Washington granted Alexander Hamilton the task of resolving the issues by writing policies regarding America’s interaction with foreign nations and finance management.
After the American Revolution, the United States found itself in a big financial hole. The country found economic trouble both inside the country and internationally. The U.S. had accumulated a massive amount of debt in addition to angering their revolutionary allies. Federalist Alexander Hamilton was named by President George Washington as the first Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton was tasked with not only solving the nation’s financial difficulties, but also to put the economy in a position to succeed in the long term.
The United States was plagued with the economic instability following the American Revolution, so they devised multiple strategies to facilitate the situation. As well as deal with economic issues following the Revolutionary War with Great Britain, the US had to formulate methods to deal with all its foreign conflicts it had amassed. From 1787 to 1816, the United States initially struggled to deal with their economic debt due to taxation revolts by citizens who did not support the reforms, but was able to fix the issues through the use of Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan as well as deal with their foreign conflicts successfully through intelligent treaties. The United States attempts to solve their economic debts through taxation did
In 1789, Alexander Hamilton took office as the first United States Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton believed in centralized government and wanted to create ways for the nation as whole to pay off all war debts, raise government revenues, and create a national bank. Amongst many of Hamilton’s duties as Secretary of Treasury; was to formulate a financial plan to alleviate the country’s hefty debt from the Revolutionary War. He believed that since most of the war debt was incurred by the States but for the benefit of the entire nation, the debts from the war should be assumed by the federal government.
Lastly, when war broke out in Europe, Washington chose to remain neutral. With the help of Jay’s Treaty, he was able to avoid war completely. Though all presidents face similar problems during their terms, Washington’s were unique because they were the first. For a man who could have been king, President George Washington, with his prestigious, dignified, and modest self, would always be remembered as America’s first
In February 1789, George Washington was elected to govern the United States. Washington felt it was important to watch his every move and judge every stride very carefully. There was definitely method in his madness though. Along with internal problems (like the Native Americans) beginning to arise, trouble was toiling across the Atlantic as well. In France, the need for a revolution and a change in powers was bending the country out of shape.
During the mid-eighteenth century, following the American Revolution, the newly founded United States was in a precarious state. Many problems throughout the country aroused, based on the fact that there was no head to lead the nation. It was when the great George Washington stepped forth and led the country as the president of the nation. In memory of his heroic and substantial leadership, a capital city and state, as well as a dollar bill and quarter, were made after him. These dignified praises he so rightfully deserved, for he assumed his responsibility to lead the nation despite his longings for retirement, contributed to the structure of the national government, and favorably led the nation during his presidency.
Secondly, there had been no period of time in which the nation had been without Washington as a leader. Lastly, eight years seemed rather short for a people who had been raised under monarchs.
George Washington’s Presidency George Washington, as every American has known since around pre-school, was our nation’s first president. But what if we didn’t have a president? Maybe a king, or even a theocracy? Originally, George Washington thought that maybe a constitution may not work, and a ruling elite may even work better (William P. Kladky). The Constitutional Convention had many long and heated debates on how to best create their government to give equal power to all branches of the government, and a board of three was one of the contenders (William P. Kladky).
George Washington’s leadership was indispensable in successfully launching a new government. George Washington was chosen to be the leader at the Constitutional Convention or the Philadelphia Convention in 1787, because he had gained a great amount of trust and respect after the Revolutionary War from supporters of a national government. In addition, Washington’s support for the constitution was critical, since citizens had an admiration for him. If he did not support the constitution, neither would the citizens. Washington also contributed his comments to the Convention and wrote letters to his political associates.
The new United States had acquire roughly seventy-seven millions in war debt after american revolution. In effort of trying to develop a new government system, many had concern of giving too much power to the government that may result in tyrant as the king in England. Alexander Hamilton, a bright young man who later became George Washington’s secretary of treasury had a plan. He was the most important guy within the first ten year of the American revolution. Hamilton and James Madison have strong believe in establishing more power to the government is necessary for the new United states.
Due to their recent war with the French, Britain and its colonies were in debt. Britain turned to the colonies as a source of revenue to pay back money, and Parliament passed acts placing taxes and tariffs on the colonies and American trade. Following the revolution, the United States was in debt to France, who helped them fight Britain during the war and supplied money, troops, and supplies. Some Americans demanded paper currency and equal distribution of property (Doc. G). Although the manufacturing industry was growing in America, it was growing very slowly.
Dear Friends George Washington was leader in charge of the Continental Army throughout the American Revolutionary conflict. Washington had experienced the direct effects of increasing taxes compulsory on American immigrants by the British, as well as came to consider that it was in the superlative interests of the immigrants to declare self-government from England. Also, Washington provided, as a delegate, to the initial Continental Congress in the year 1774 in Philadelphia. With the instance the Second Continental Congress organized a year afterwards, the American Revolution had start in earnest, as well as Washington was named leader in head of the Continental military Washington confirmed to be a better universal than armed strategist. His