George Washington: America's Greatest Leader

Peace and neutrality between the United States and Europe continued throughout Washington’s presidency and beyond. Washington realized that through his decision it was finalized that Europeans did not interfere in American affairs and vice versa. The Europeans would no longer be an immediate threat, but Washington did not overlook them. In his Farewell Address in 1796, Washington stated:

“While then every part of our country thus feels an immediate and particular interest in union, all the parts combined cannot fail to find in the united mass of means and efforts greater strength, greater resource, proportionally greater security from external danger, a less frequent interruption of their peace by foreign nations; and, what is of inestimable value, they must derive from union an exemption from those broils and wars between themselves, which so frequently afflict neighbouring countries, not tied together by the same government; which their own rivalships alone would be sufficient to produce, but which opposite foreign alliances, attachments, and intrigues would stimulate and imbitter.”

In simpler terms, Washington emphasized to the population of the United States of America that the nation is stronger together than apart. He stressed that foreign alliances would drive their nation apart if they do not unite forever. Later presidents like James Monroe followed Washington’s idea of neutrality. The Monroe Doctrine, as stated by President James Monroe, was a clear-cut presentation of a neutrality policy started by Washington.   

        Washington knew the significance of unity right from the beginning of his presidency. Neutrality, hopefully, would unify the nation, as it would keep Americans focused on American matters. Washington also knew that governing a unified nation would be much easier than one that was not. When it came to governing, the non-partisan President Washington made sure no one party would persuade him completely. He would have to look at issues through the eyes of everyone.

        Determined to build a real federal government, Washington assembled a cabinet of contrasting men in attitude, experience and background. Washington hoped to prevent divisive partisanship and sectionalism by appointing the most talented people available to his cabinet. In making his decision, Washington acted fairly without favouritism. A few of the appointed cabinet members were Edmund Randolph to attorney general, Thomas Jefferson to secretary of state, and Alexander Hamilton to the secretary of the treasury. Now, Washington had a diverse cabinet with various men from all factions in administrative departments.

        Two of the most contrasting cabinet members that Washington had were Jefferson and Hamilton. Each opposed the others ideology, and wanted Washington siding with them. Compromises between the two were almost nonnegotiable. Both Jefferson and Hamilton fell into specific parties and both embodied the point of view of each party. Hamilton was strictly Federalist where Jefferson was firmly Democratic Republican. Being non-partisan, this was not what Washington had in mind; however the differences between Hamilton and Jefferson were beneficial to Washington. Washington's administrative style was to listen to the arguments of both sides about an issue, investigate the facts, and make up his mind, then stick tenaciously to his decision.  This allowed Washington to come to great compromises over certain issues, not only to bring Jefferson and Hamilton together but to bring the splitting American population as well. Issues like the paying of the national debt, the paying of the state debt, the introduction of US banks, the paying excise tax, and the paying of tariff duties were all compromises Washington dealt with. The various attitudes of Washington’s cabinet helped Washington negotiate issues that the whole nation was complaining about.

        After assembling a cabinet, Washington realized that resolving conflicts could be very time consuming. Pointless issues that managed to reach the president’s office had to be sorted out, which took a lot of time. Rather than having the president compromise issues repeatedly, a balanced system could do it for him. Washington needed a system that could filter out pointless issues and at the same time address important issues.  To make life easier for everyone, including himself, Washington and his administration decided that the federal government would consist of three branches: a legislative branch, an executive branch, and a judicial branch.

The legislative branch would strictly make laws. It would be bicameral therefore having an Upper House and Lower House. The Lower House, also known as the House of Representatives would represent the voting population of the United States. There would be one representative for every 60 000 people in population. The Upper House, also known as the Senate, would be a little different. Each state would have the same number of votes, two. Most importantly, voters directly elect the members of each house.

The executive branch would enforce the laws. It would simply consist of the president, vice president, and the president’s cabinet members.

The last branch, the judicial branch would interpret and examine the laws. The branch members could declare laws constitutional in which it does not contradict the constitution or the members of the branch could announce laws unconstitutional in which it does contradict the constitution. The judicial branch would include all Supreme Courts and Lower Courts, both federal and state.

By introducing these three branches, Washington did three things. Firstly, he reduced the chance of corruption of the constitution. Abiding by the constitution was essential to Washington, evident by his comments in his Farewell Address. Secondly, it gave a voice to the minority while respecting the majority. This simply meant that the minority group had their opinions voiced even though they were beaten. Lastly, the three branches made it tougher to pass law as each branch is given the same power as every other. Basically, it is harder to get a majority vote to pass laws and with the checks and balances, the executive branch can overrule majority votes.

Over Washington’s eight years as first president of the United States, not many can argue that he played an insignificant role. Even today, Washington’s magnificent work is recognized and appreciated. He is admired by a large number of historians and talked very highly of by teachers. There is no doubt that President George Washington along with his administration created an excellent blueprint to govern such a young country, a country to be proud of.