George Washington

“I walk on untrodden ground,” George Washington observed in 1789. As the first president of the United States, he faced an enormous challenge. The way that he filled the office would set an example for every U.S. president who followed him. Washington knew that he had to inspire respect and admiration. He also was aware that Americans were suspicious of leaders with too much power.

In addition to shaping the job of president, Washington had other goals. He wanted to strengthen the new country’s finances, repair its relationship with Great Britain, and develop its western frontier. Washington’s secretary of the treasury, Alexander Hamilton made the case for a strong central government and came up with a plan to help manage the country’s war debts.

The biggest international challenge of Washington’s time in office came in 1794, when America faced the possibility of another war with Great Britain. Washington believed that America was too young to risk another conflict. The two countries agreed on a treaty that proved helpful for the United States because it established Great Britain as a major trading partner. But it kept America neutral in the growing conflict between Britain and France, which was unpopular with many Americans. France had come to America’s aid during the Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and many Americans felt great sympathy the French cause.

Washington’s decisions were tested at home, too. To raise money, the government put a federal tax on whiskey. That move seemed too similar to the British taxes on tea and other goods before the Revolutionary War. In August 1794, farmers in western Pennsylvania staged the Whiskey Rebellion to protest the tax.

Washington sent almost 13,000 militiamen to Pennsylvania to enforce the tax. The rebellion had calmed down by the time the troops arrived, but the display of force demonstrated the willingness of the government to use its authority to enforce the nation’s laws.

Defining the status of Native Americans was another important issue for Washington. He viewed Native people as fighting for their own independence, just as the American colonists had done. Washington signed a treaty with Native American leaders establishing “homelands” under tribal control that protected native territorial borders. It was strengthened by the Proclamation of 1790, which forbade private or state encroachment on any land promised by the treaty.

Washington did not want to serve a second term in office, but he was persuaded to continue as president for the good of the country. When he retired at the end of his second term in March 1797, he wrote a farewell address to the nation.

In his address, he advised Americans to be fair and just to all nations and to avoid political party alliances and involvement in the political affairs of Europe. He reminded his fellow citizens: “You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts, of common danger, sufferings, and successes.” Washington’s presidency established a sense of integrity and strong leadership for all who followed him.