Pres_1_Washington

1788 George Washington was very popular throughout the nation. In America's first presidential election he received the overwhelming support from the

Washington was the first president and with such he set an example for all Americans of his time. "During his presidency he caried himself with studied dignity and reserve -- never ostentious, the embodiment of classical virtues. A French diplomat who witnesses Washington's first inauguration reported in awe: 'He has the soul, look and figure of a hero united in him.' But the adulation of Washington, however well meant, seriously affected the conduct of public affairs, for critiscism of his administration was regarded as an attack on the president and, by extension, on the republic istself." (America Past and Present by Divine, Breen, Fredrickson, Williams, Roberts).

It is said that Washington was overly formal and asked any visitor to stand up, what wouldn't go down to good in our times.

The greatest accomplishment under George Washington might as well have been his establishing a presidency and all the necessary rules and regulations.

1)Summary of his accomplishments: George Washington established all the rules and regulations. During his presidency George Washington did his utmost to live up to the American people's expectations as their idol and hero. George Washington was a living legend. Under Washington, the U.S. government gained its executive and legislative precedents, appended a bill of rights to the constitution, established its credits at home and abroad, fostered manufacturing and encouraged commerce, survived a serious insurrection in mountains of Pennsylvania, secured the transmountane frontier against Indian depredations, effected the removal of British troops from the Old Northwest, checked Spanish encroachments in the Old Southwest and obtained transit rights on the Mississippi, forged a policy for the dispositions of public lands and avoided involvement in the vortex of European wars.

2)Critique: George Washington was very formal, asked all to stand up. Few Americans can identify with George Washington. Regarding the American Revolution, Washington's brilliance as a military strategist has been debated since the early days of that great war. And most of all George Washington was a slave holder who didn't free any slaves until his death.

3)From a modern media perspective could he get elected today? No! Being a slaveholder would disqualify him.

No! I don't think that George Washington stood a chance to be elected in the U.S. gearing up for the 21st century. Yet he would certainly be a great candidate for new evolving countries in the so-called 3rd world.

About his private life: Considering the time and age would people have listened to any one accusing George Washington of any wrongdoings, such as casual affairs or whatever?

True, he never went to college, he played the lottery, he made most of his money fishing and he had carved ivory teeth. It's also true, that he lost more battles in war than the ones he won. Yet he had become the first and foremost American celebrity. Thus was clearly noticeable during his years as President and more so when he died December 14, 1799, the outpooring of grief was felt throughout the nation.