George Washington's Impact

As the first president of the United States, George Washington’s effect on the United States is undeniable, but that does not mean Washington’s presidency was left without controversy and unsolved issues. After the American Revolution, the primary focus of the government was to lay a foundation for the foreseeable future. Because the Articles of Confederation was too simple and made it nearly impossible for the government to tax the people and generate revenue, Washington was left with an intimidating task. Washington established power through the federal government by creating necessities such as a National Army and a National Bank. Unfortunately, due to the short time for the abundance of issues with the country at the time, Washington was

The United States was obligated to pay off soldiers who fought in support of the Revolution and people who issued the government war bonds. In order to resolve this issue, Washington established the first Presidential cabinet, most importantly appointing Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the United States Treasury. First, Hamilton realized it necessary to create a national currency and then a National Bank. In order to accomplish his goal, Hamilton planned to shape financial policies in favor of the wealthy; in return, the wealthy would favor and support the rising government financially and politically. For example, Hamilton intended to pay off war bonds and soldiers by issuing new bonds with high risk, but with very high rewards for those who bought. With “a then-enormous total [debt] of $54 million”, many critics believed “the Treasury was incapable of meeting those obligations that government bonds had depreciated to ten cents on the dollar” (Kennedy, 183). Hamilton was able to carry his risky “fund at par” plan only by gaining the trust of the wealthy. Soon after, Hamilton proposed “a powerful private institution, of which the government would be the major stockholder and in which the federal Treasury would be able to deposit its surplus monies” (Kennedy, 185). After another wave of opposition, most notably by Thomas Jefferson, Hamilton was able to gain

Under Washington’s presidency, challenging the belief of slavery or the two-party system in Congress never took place. Important founding fathers in the Washington administration such as Thomas Jefferson admit slavery is inhumane, but do not publically advocate to abolish slavery; in fact, the Naturalization Act of 1790, under Washington’s supervision, unanimously decides without debate that African-Americans cannot apply for citizenship (Kennedy, 208). As a result of neglecting slavery, this leads to tensions to rise until the climax of the Civil War of 1863. Also, when Washington takes office in 1789, political parties were non-existent (factions were previously existent). In Washington’s Farewell Address, he cautions the two-party political party system, but while in office does not take action. Under Washington’s watch, the early stages of a Republican vs. Democratic government standstill took place. At one point, even the “Founders at Philadelphia had not envisioned the existence of permanent political parties”; later, this problem emerges to the extent that “organized opposition to government seemed tainted by disloyalty” (Kennedy, 186). Since Washington’s presidency, there has not been an independent President and many people involved in the government are unable to put