Malcolm Rivera
George Washington, born on February 22, 1732, was 55 years old when he presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was unanimously elected to be the convention president and played a key role in achieving consensus among the delegates. Washington's support for the Constitution was crucial to its ratification, although he did not publicly debate the matter. His private letters, however, reveal his endorsement of the document, and he is known to have written to figures such as Charles Carter, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | February 22, 1732 |
| Age when he became president of the Constitutional Convention | 55 |
| Year he became president of the Constitutional Convention | 1787 |
| Date the Constitution was signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Age when he became the first president of the United States | 56 |
| Year he became the first president of the United States | 1788 |
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What You'll Learn
George Washington's age when he wrote the Constitution
George Washington was 55 years old when he presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which drafted the current US Constitution. Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
Washington's role in the creation of the Constitution was significant, despite his initial reluctance to be part of politics. He was unanimously elected as the president of the Convention and worked to forge consensus among the passionate federalists and anti-federalists. Washington's commanding presence and influence were crucial in achieving the final agreement on the Constitution. He remained impartial and did not participate in public debates, but his support for the Constitution was well known and influential.
Washington's private correspondence, including letters to friends, political allies, and opponents, reveal his thoughts on the kind of government the United States should have. He favoured a strong, well-financed national government and supported the amendment provision in the Constitution. Washington's letters also show his rejection of slavery, both on moral grounds and due to the human suffering it caused.
Washington's contributions to the Constitution extended beyond his role in the Convention. He was the first President of the United States under the new Constitution and implemented a strong executive branch. He appointed federal officials, including the first members of the Supreme Court, and established precedents that influenced succeeding presidents. Washington's guidance and influence were crucial in shaping the early years of the US government and its constitutional framework.
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Washington's role in the Constitutional Convention
George Washington was 55 when he attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was unanimously elected as the president of the convention, where 55 delegates fiercely debated the future of the United States.
Washington was initially reluctant to attend the convention, but James Madison was especially influential in persuading him to do so. As president, Washington worked to forge consensus among the delegates, demanding complete secrecy as they embarked on the controversial task of revising the Articles of Confederation. He said very little during the debates, and his opinions were the subject of much speculation.
Despite his silence, Washington's commanding presence played an important role in achieving the outcome of the convention. He believed in the need for a stronger federal government and was satisfied with the idea of the Constitution as a document that could be amended over time to fit the nation's needs. He supported the adoption of a bill of rights to address public concerns, and his private letters reveal that he desired to see the Constitution adopted, even though he acknowledged its imperfections.
After the convention, Washington sent copies of the document to influential figures to gain their support for ratification. His strong support convinced many to vote in favor of ratification, and his presence at the convention helped to calm anxieties about the future of the young nation. Washington's letter of 17 September 1787, written by Gouverneur Morris but signed by Washington, was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed. In the letter, Washington expressed his support for the Constitution, stating that it was "the result of a spirit of amity and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable."
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The Constitution's signing date
George Washington was 55 years old when the US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. He was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
Washington was the president of the Constitutional Convention, which was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May to September 1787. The convention was attended by 55 state delegates who fiercely debated the future of the United States. Washington was unanimously elected as the convention president, and he worked to forge consensus among the delegates, demanding complete secrecy during the proceedings.
The delegates originally intended to revise the Articles of Confederation, which were seen as barely holding the new country together. However, the convention ultimately resulted in the creation of a new constitution. The final version of the Constitution adopted the Connecticut Compromise, which was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787.
Washington played a crucial role in achieving this outcome, and his support was key to the ratification of the Constitution. While he did not participate in the public debates, his private correspondence reveals that he supported the Constitution and urged others to accept it. He wrote a letter on September 17, 1787, as president of the Convention to the president of Congress, stating that the Constitution was the result of "a spirit of amity and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable." This letter, written by Gouverneur Morris but signed by Washington, was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed.
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Washington's views on slavery
George Washington was 55 years old when he presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which drafted the current US Constitution.
George Washington's views on slavery shifted over the course of his life. As a young boy, he grew up in a society where slavery was considered both right and natural. His parents and neighbours owned slaves, and by the time Washington took control of the Mount Vernon property in 1754, about 28% of the population of Fairfax County were slaves of African origin. Washington's early attitudes towards slavery reflected the prevailing Virginia planter views of the time, which included few, if any, moral qualms. He referred to slaves as "a Species of Property".
By the 1770s, Washington began to realise that slavery was not an efficient labour system for Mount Vernon. After switching his plantation's focus from tobacco to less labour-intensive grains, he found himself with far more enslaved workers than he needed, and he was losing money. In 1774, he publicly denounced the slave trade on moral grounds in the Fairfax Resolves. During the Revolutionary War, Washington's views on slavery were further altered. He travelled to parts of the country where agriculture was undertaken without the use of slaves, and he witnessed black soldiers fighting bravely in the Continental Army. Within seven months of taking command, he approved the enlistment of free black soldiers. He also became exposed to the views of the Marquis de Lafayette, who ardently opposed slavery.
After the war, Washington continued to own enslaved people, but supported the abolition of slavery by a gradual legislative process. In 1788, he wrote to Charles Carter:
> I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it – but there is only one proper and effectual mode by which it can be accomplished, and that is by Legislative authority: and this, as far as my suffrage will go, shall never be wanting.
In his will, drafted when he was 67, Washington included a provision that would free the 123 enslaved people he owned outright. This decision marked the culmination of two decades of introspection and inner conflict. Washington's views on slavery changed gradually but dramatically, from a young man who accepted slavery as a matter of course, to a person who decided never again to buy or sell another slave and held hopes for the eventual abolition of the institution.
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His election as the first US president
George Washington was 57 years old when he presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was unanimously elected as the first US president by the Electoral College in 1789, at the age of 57.
George Washington's Election as the First US President
George Washington's election as the first US president was a significant event in the nation's history. Here is a detailed account of his election and subsequent inauguration:
The Electoral Process
The United States presidential election of 1789 was a pivotal moment in the country's history. Held on February 4, 1789, this election marked the first time the American people chose their leader through a democratic process. George Washington was the unanimous choice of the electors, with 69 out of 72 electors casting their ballots in his favour. This outcome was anticipated, given Washington's prominent role in the Revolutionary War and his leadership as the commander of the Continental Army.
The election process was conducted by electors from 10 out of the 13 extant states, with North Carolina, Rhode Island, and New York abstaining due to their lack of ratification of the Constitution. The electors, chosen by popular vote or legislative appointment, represented 10 of the 11 states that had ratified the Constitution.
Washington's Reluctance
Despite his overwhelming support, George Washington was initially reluctant to leave his comfortable life at Mount Vernon. He had planned to retire after his military career, weary from service and facing health issues. However, his fellow Founding Fathers considered his acceptance of the presidency a foregone conclusion. Washington's journey from Mount Vernon to New York City, where he would be inaugurated, became a celebratory procession, with people from towns and villages greeting him enthusiastically.
Inauguration
On April 30, 1789, George Washington took the presidential oath of office at Federal Hall in New York City, the first capital of the United States. In his inaugural address, Washington acknowledged that he assumed the role "in obedience to the public summons," emphasising that "the voice of my Country called me." He swore his oath on a Bible borrowed from a local Masonic lodge, now known as the "George Washington Inaugural Bible."
Setting Precedents
As the first US president, George Washington played a crucial role in shaping the office's future. He established enduring precedents, including republicanism, peaceful transfer of power, the use of the title "Mr. President," and the two-term tradition. He also navigated fierce rivalries within his cabinet, notably between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, and implemented a strong, well-financed national government. Washington's first inauguration and his subsequent actions set the tone for the presidency and the young nation's future.
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Frequently asked questions
George Washington was 55 years old when he wrote the Constitution.
George Washington was the president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He provided guidance to 55 state delegates who debated the future of the United States.
No, Washington did not participate in public debates over the ratification of the Constitution. However, his support for it was widely known and he privately argued for its ratification.
No, Washington did not write the entire Constitution by himself. He worked with 55 state delegates and his support was instrumental in getting the Constitution ratified.
George Washington is known for being the first president of the United States and the commander-in-chief of the American Revolutionary Army.
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