Who Was George Washington To The Framers?

George Washington, born in rural Virginia, became a professional surveyor in his late teens before turning to military service. He demonstrated courage and decisiveness as a soldier and played an indispensable role as commander-in-chief of American forces during the Revolutionary War. After the war, Washington became concerned about the disintegration of the nation and the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, prompting him to serve as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He was unanimously elected president of the convention and played a crucial role in guiding the debates and forging consensus among the delegates. Washington's leadership and support were instrumental in the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution, setting the foundation for a bold, new government.

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Washington's concerns about the disintegration of the nation

George Washington's concerns about the disintegration of the nation prompted him to serve as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He presided over the convention, and his support was crucial to the ratification of the newly proposed Constitution.

Washington and his contemporaries, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, feared that their young country was on the brink of collapse. The Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, gave the Confederation Congress the authority to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers, could not regulate commerce, and could not print money. The states' disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the fledgling nation apart. Washington believed the nation was on the verge of "anarchy and confusion", was susceptible to foreign intervention, and that a national constitution would unify the states under a robust central government.

Washington's achievements as commander-in-chief during the Revolution, his support for the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, and his role as the first president were instrumental in transforming the ideals of the Revolution into reality. His career demanded a range of skills and talents with few precedents in history. He guided the new government through the organisation of the executive branch, founding the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., opening the west for settlement, and establishing precedents that have influenced succeeding presidents.

Washington's foreign policy focused on protecting the independence of the new nation and avoiding costly and deadly wars. During his first term, European powers sought to undermine American sovereignty. British forces provided ammunition and funds to Native American nations to attack western towns, while Spanish imperial forces denied trade access to the Mississippi River. Tensions with Britain escalated due to the seizure of ships sailing between the US and France, with the British insisting that the ships were carrying war materials. Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to London to negotiate a diplomatic solution.

In his farewell address, Washington exhorted Americans to set aside their violent likes and dislikes of foreign nations, lest they be controlled by their passions. His remarks have inspired American isolationism, and his advice against joining permanent alliances was heeded for over a century.

Washington's influence as commander-in-chief during the Revolutionary War

George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1775. He was selected based on his previous military experience and the hope that a leader from Virginia could help unite the colonies. Washington was the only Virginian with experience of command who was young enough to take the field. He had demonstrated enough courage and decisiveness to become the commander of the Virginia troops that defended the state's western frontier during the French and Indian War.

Washington's actions during the Revolutionary War also reaffirmed his core belief that the military was subordinate to civilian rule, a central principle of the new United States. After the war ended, Washington surrendered his commission to Congress in Annapolis, Maryland, and returned to private life. He called for a strong union and believed that a national constitution was needed to unify the states under a strong central government. Washington's concerns about the disintegration of the nation and his influence as commander-in-chief led him to serve as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, where he played a key role in the ratification of the newly proposed Constitution.

Washington's influence extended beyond his military role during the Revolutionary War. He established himself as a successful tobacco planter at his family plantation, Mount Vernon, and won elections to represent his state. Washington's early life and military career provided him with the experience and reputation that would ultimately lead to his selection as commander-in-chief and his subsequent influence on the creation of the American nation.

Washington's support for Hamilton's agenda

George Washington and Alexander Hamilton's relationship goes back to the American Revolutionary War, where Hamilton served as Washington's aide-de-camp with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Hamilton's military prowess caught the attention of senior officers, including Washington.

During Washington's presidency, Hamilton played a key role in his cabinet, serving as the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. Hamilton wrote speeches for Washington, helped put down a rebellion, and served as an advisor on many issues.

Washington and Hamilton shared a concern about the young country's stability, believing that the Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, were inadequate. They feared that disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the country apart.

Washington supported Hamilton's agenda, which included a strong central government, commercial interests, and a preference for Great Britain over France in its war. Washington's endorsement of Hamilton's agenda resulted in controversy, with Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, resigning from the cabinet due to his opposing agrarianist views.

In 1796, Washington turned to Hamilton to draft his Farewell Address, where he advised citizens to view themselves as part of a united country and avoid establishing political parties. During John Adams' presidency, Washington supported making Hamilton Inspector General of the United States Army in preparation for a possible war with France.

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Washington's unanimous election as president of the Constitutional Convention

George Washington's unanimous election as president of the Constitutional Convention was a significant moment in the formation of the United States. Washington, born and raised in rural Virginia, had a distinguished military career and was a successful tobacco planter at his family's plantation, Mount Vernon. He demonstrated courage and decisiveness as a soldier, becoming the commander of the Virginia troops during the French and Indian War and leading the combined French and American forces to victory over the British at Yorktown in 1781, which ultimately led to the recognition of American independence.

In the years following the Revolutionary War, Washington, along with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, feared that their young country was on the brink of collapse due to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which served as the first constitution. The Articles gave the Confederation Congress rule-making and funding powers but lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. The disputes among the states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the country apart.

As a result, Washington became convinced of the need for a national constitution to unify the states under a strong central government. He wrote to Madison, expressing his belief that "a thorough reform of the present system is indispensable." Washington's influence and prestige were crucial factors in his unanimous election as president of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Benjamin Franklin nominated Washington to preside over the meeting, and his presence lent importance and legitimacy to the gathering.

During the Constitutional Convention, Washington worked to forge consensus among the passionate federalists and anti-federalist delegates, demanding complete secrecy as they embarked on the controversial task of drafting a new constitution. He created an atmosphere that allowed convention members to reach the necessary compromises, rising above conflicts between individual states. While Washington favored a strong central government and a single executive leader, he refrained from imposing his views on others and primarily participated in maintaining order and providing deciding votes.

Washington's role as president of the Constitutional Convention was pivotal in shaping the future of the United States. His leadership and guidance helped lay the foundation for a bold, new government, and his support was instrumental in achieving the ratification of the newly proposed Constitution. Washington's unanimous election as president of the Constitutional Convention reflected the respect and confidence placed in him by his peers, setting the stage for his subsequent election as the first president of the United States in 1789.

Washington's belief in a strong central government

George Washington was a strong supporter of a central government. He believed that the nation was on the verge of "anarchy and confusion", was vulnerable to foreign intervention, and that a national constitution would unify the states under a strong central government. In a letter to Madison, he wrote:

> "Wisdom and good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm."

Washington's concerns about the disintegration of the nation prompted him to serve as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, where he presided over the convention. He favoured Alexander Hamilton's agenda, which included the organisation of a Grand Convention of state delegates to work on revising the Articles of Confederation. Washington's support was key to the ratification of the newly proposed Constitution.

Washington was unanimously elected as the first president of the United States in 1789. He guided the new government through the organisation of the executive branch, founding the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., opening the west for settlement, and establishing precedents that influenced succeeding presidents. He appointed cabinet members such as Edmund Randolph as Attorney General, Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State, and Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury. Washington restricted cabinet discussions to topics of his choosing and expected department heads to agreeably carry out his decisions. He exercised restraint in using his veto power, writing that "I give my signature to many Bills with which my judgment is at variance."

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