Eleanor Finch
George Washington, the commander-in-chief of the American Revolutionary Army, played a crucial role in the creation of the US Constitution. He served as the president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, guiding 55 state delegates through intense debates on the future of the nation. While Washington himself remained mostly silent during the discussions, he ensured an atmosphere conducive to compromise, reflecting his belief in a strong central government and a single executive leader. Washington's support for the Constitution was evident in his private correspondence, where he expressed a desire for its adoption, acknowledging its amendment provision as a means to address future issues. His public letter of September 17, 1787, attached to the Constitution, emphasised the spirit of collaboration behind its creation. Washington's influence extended beyond the Convention, as Federalists leveraged his image and signature to promote ratification, ultimately leading to his unanimous election as the first president of the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Role in the American Revolution | Commander-in-Chief of the American Revolutionary Army |
| Role in the Constitutional Convention | President of the Convention |
| Participation in debates | Minimal; he mostly participated to keep order and provide a deciding vote |
| Support for the Constitution | Yes; he defended it, supported its ratification, and signed it |
| Views on the government | Believed in a strong central government with a single executive leader |
| Views on slavery | Owned slaves but later rejected slavery and provided for his slaves to be freed in his will |
| Legacy | Played a crucial role in the founding of the American Republic and the creation of the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
Washington's role in the Constitutional Convention
George Washington played a significant role in the Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention, Federal Convention, or Grand Convention at Philadelphia. The Convention took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 14 to September 17, 1787. Washington was initially reluctant to attend but was persuaded by individuals like James Madison, and he subsequently became the Convention's president.
During the Convention, Washington provided guidance and leadership to the 55 state delegates as they debated the future of the United States. He ensured that delegates remained open to compromise, fostering an atmosphere that allowed for the necessary agreements to be made. Washington himself believed in the need for a stronger federal government and a single executive leader, but he did not impose his views on others. He participated primarily to maintain order and provide deciding votes on various proposals.
While Washington did not often speak during the debates, his presence carried weight, and his opinions were highly regarded. He addressed concerns about the future of the government and the potential challenges of implementing the Constitution. He emphasised the need for a strong central government, including a Congress with the power to tax, and he supported the idea of a document that could be amended over time.
After the Convention, Washington actively supported the ratification process. He sent copies of the Constitution to influential individuals, such as Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette, and worked tirelessly to gain approval. His letters, expressing his support for the Constitution, were published and played a crucial role in influencing public opinion. Washington's endorsement of the Constitution carried significant weight, and his leadership during the Convention and the subsequent ratification process contributed greatly to the establishment of the United States Constitution and the office of the President.
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Washington's views on the three branches of government
George Washington was a pivotal figure in the founding of the American Republic. He was elected unanimously as the first president of the United States, serving two terms from 1789 to 1797. Washington was instrumental in shaping the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judiciary branch of the US government.
Washington presided over the 1787 Constitutional Convention as its president, where he played a key role in forging consensus among delegates and creating an atmosphere conducive to reaching compromises. He supported the establishment of a stronger central government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. As president, Washington demonstrated the importance of a robust executive branch led by a trustworthy individual. He emphasised the president's authority within the executive branch, asserting the right to veto and reject legislation. Washington also recognised the legislative branch's power, consulting with the Senate on appointments while maintaining the president's control over firing appointees.
In his role as the inaugural president, Washington appointed high-ranking officials in the executive and judicial branches, shaping political practices and establishing the nation's capital. He supported Alexander Hamilton's economic policies, which included the federal government assuming the debts of state governments. Washington also played a crucial part in the ratification of the Constitution, which established the framework for the three branches of government. While he generally avoided public statements, his private letters revealed his support for the Constitution, and Federalists often used his image and signature on the document to promote its ratification.
Washington's influence extended beyond his presidency, as he helped establish precedents that influenced the conduct of his successors. He demonstrated the value of a strong executive branch and shaped the understanding of presidential authority within constitutional boundaries. Washington's contributions as a soldier, revolutionary, constitution-maker, and chief executive made him an indispensable figure in the creation of the American nation and its system of government.
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Washington's stance on slavery
George Washington's stance on slavery was complex and evolved over time. As a young Virginia planter, Washington accepted slavery without apparent concern. He inherited his first ten slaves at the age of 11 when his father died in 1743. During his lifetime, slavery was deeply ingrained in the economic and social fabric of Virginia, where some forty percent of the population and virtually all African Americans were enslaved.
However, Washington's views began to change during the Revolutionary War, when he led the North American colonies' battle for independence from Great Britain. He started to question slavery and recognize its contradiction with the Revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality. In 1774, he endorsed the Fairfax Resolves, which condemned the slave trade and recommended ending the import of enslaved people into the British colonies.
In his personal writings and correspondence, Washington expressed his moral objections to slavery. He found it economically inefficient, as he had to bear the costs of feeding and clothing his enslaved workers even when they were unable to work. He also recognized the psychological violence of slavery, where enslaved people lived in constant fear of being sold, separated from their families, or never knowing freedom.
Despite his private opposition to slavery, Washington did not actively advocate for its immediate abolition or publicly campaign against it. He prioritized national unity and stability, believing that addressing slavery publicly could tear apart the fragile nation. He hoped for a gradual change in attitudes and supported legislative action to end slavery over time.
In his will, Washington made provisions for the emancipation of his slaves upon his wife's death, marking a powerful public statement of his antislavery views. He also freed one slave immediately upon his death. This decision reflected his inner conflict and the culmination of two decades of introspection on the issue of slavery.
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Washington's influence on the ratification of the Constitution
George Washington was a pivotal figure in the founding of the American Republic and played a vital role in the establishment of the Constitution and the office of the President of the United States.
In 1787, Washington was elected president of the Constitutional Convention, which had gathered in Philadelphia to debate the future of the United States. Washington's leadership during the convention prompted delegates to envision an executive with wide-ranging powers. He rarely participated in the debates, but he ensured delegates remained open to compromise, creating an atmosphere that allowed them to reach the compromises necessary to form a stronger national government.
Washington's support for the Constitution was influential in its ratification. While he did not make public statements, his private letters reveal his endorsement. Federalists used his image and support to promote ratification, arguing that if a virtuous figure like Washington was in favour, then ratification was essential. Washington's signature on the letter to the president of Congress, which accompanied the Constitution, was also significant. In it, he wrote 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 made it difficult for Anti-Federalists to justify their opposition.
Washington was also active in the ratification process as the Constitution went to the states for approval. He was unanimously elected as the first president in 1789, after the Constitution was ratified by every state.
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Washington's opinion of the Constitution's amendment provision
George Washington was a pivotal figure in the founding of the American Republic. He presided over the Constitutional Convention as its president, working to forge consensus and demanding complete secrecy as the delegates debated the future of the United States. While Washington himself did not actively participate in the debates, his belief in a strong central government and a single executive leader was well known.
Washington's influence extended beyond the convention. As the Constitution headed to the states for approval, he took an active role in the ratification process. He defended the Constitution, allying himself with younger political leaders who supported it, such as James Madison. In doing so, he parted ways with older revolutionaries like George Mason, who refused to sign the 1787 Constitution.
Washington's letters reveal his support for the Constitution and his desire to see it adopted. In particular, he praised the amendment provision, recognising its value in addressing future problems. In a letter to the President of Congress on September 17, 1787, Washington wrote:
> "The Constitution, which we now present, is 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. Washington's support carried significant weight, and Federalists used his image and influence to promote ratification.
Despite his support, Washington acknowledged the Constitution's imperfections and maintained a relatively low public profile during the ratification debates. His private correspondence occasionally surfaced, providing fodder for both Federalists and Antifederalists. Antifederalists argued that Washington, lacking legislative experience, had been manipulated by cunning politicians.
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Frequently asked questions
George Washington was the president of the Constitutional Convention that took place from May to September 1787. He provided guidance to 55 state delegates who gathered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to debate the future of the United States. Washington helped create an atmosphere that allowed convention members to reach the compromises necessary for a new government.
George Washington supported the US Constitution. In his private letters, he expressed a desire to see the Constitution adopted, praising the amendment provision that allowed for corrections to be made after its implementation. He also defended the Constitution, allying himself with younger political leaders who supported it, like James Madison.
Washington's support was significant. Federalists urged others to accept the Constitution because of Washington's endorsement, and his image was readily used to promote its ratification. His support made it difficult for Antifederalists to explain their opposition to the Constitution. Washington's influence was so great that many agreed with James Monroe's statement that Washington's influence had "carried this government."
