1. The Presidency of George Washington
Term:
Presidential number: 1
Party: federalist party

2. What do we know about Washington up until this point?
He was a decorated war hero
Fought with the British in the French and Indian War ( )
Led the Continental Army against the British in the War for Independence (Revolutionary War)
Trenton and crossing the Delaware
Valley Forge
Yorktown

3. Setting a Precedent What is a precedent?
A precedent is a guide or an example
Precedents he set:
Term limits
“Mr. President”
Cabinet
Ensuring that the Executive Branch “enforces” the law

4. Term Limits, Mr. President, and the Cabinet
President Washington chose to not run for a 3rd term, therefore, he set the precedent for future presidents to not serve more than 2 terms (until the 22nd Amendment in the 1950s)
He chose to be called “Mr. President” rather than “his majesty or his excellency”.
He didn’t want to be portrayed like a king.
He organized the first Cabinet which was leaders of the Departments of State, Treasury, War as well as the Attorney General and the Vice President.
These men would serve as his advisors. Today there are a total of 15 departments.

5. What He DID NOT Set as a Precedent
His distaste for political factions
He did not like political parties because they only represent the few
Staying out of European and other nations’ affairs
He stated that trading was fine but that should be it!
BOTH OF THESE POINTS WERE PART OF HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS IN 1796

6. The Whiskey Rebellion
1791
Great Britain and France were once again at war
Washington did not want to take sides
Trade with Great Britain was booming because the US convinced Great Britain to forgive many pre-Revolutionary war debts and to drop restrictions on trade
Washington also encouraged Congress to pass taxes on liquor to help pay states’ war debt from the Revolutionary War
The tax hit small whiskey-makers because they made liquor using excess crops of grain in order to make it easier to transport

7. The Whiskey Rebellion (continued…)
It happened in Pennsylvania
Armed violence broke out as farmers frightened and attacked the tax collectors for the government
Washington led a large militia force into the area to put down a rebellion
Washington’s response was a PRECEDENT for presidents having the authority to enforce the law

8. Trivia He was unanimously chosen as president both terms
He was sworn into office in New York City (the first capital)
His wife’s name was Martha
He didn’t have any biological children
He really didn’t chop down a cherry tree
He had dentures