Introduction
Washington often ranks in the top three presidents when it comes to historians. It’s usually him, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt from the ratings I have viewed. Not only did he not reside at the White House, but he was voted in by the entire Electoral College. He was the only president to do these things. He also played a vital part in forming the Supreme Court with only six judges at the time.
When George Washington took office in 1789, there was no roadmap. No traditions. No expectations. Just a fragile Constitution and a nation that could easily collapse under its own uncertainty. In fact, Washington is the only Independent to ever hold the office of the presidency. He was affiliated with no political parties and even warned against forming them.
Washington wasn’t just leading a country—he was inventing the presidency itself. That makes his legacy uniquely powerful… and also worth examining critically. While he helped stabilize the United States, some of his decisions laid the groundwork for tensions that would define the country for decades.
After the failures of the Articles of Confederation, the new Constitution created a stronger federal government. But many Americans feared that this new system might become too powerful—too similar to the monarchy they had just escaped.
Washington had to walk a tightrope and had to be strong enough to lead and be restrained enough to avoid tyranny. This was not an easy thing to do. He was very unlike Donald Trump in this regard, as Trump seems to crave power and would be a tyrant if allowed. Much of George Washington’s leadership was defined by this balance when being the leader of a country.
The Achievements: What Washington Got Right
1. Establishing Presidential Precedent
Washington set norms that still define the office today such as a cabinet of advisers, respect for the Constitution, and the peaceful transfer of power (which sets him apart from Donald Trump).
Most famously, he stepped down after two terms, setting an informal limit that lasted until Franklin D. Roosevelt broke it over a century later.
That decision alone may have prevented the presidency from drifting toward monarchy. After Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 22nd amendment was made that a president cannot hold office for more than two four-year terms.
2. Stabilizing the Economy
With guidance from Alexander Hamilton, Washington supported the Federal assumption of state debts, the creation of a national bank, and a stronger centralized financial system. These moves were controversial—but they helped give the U.S. financial credibility and stability.
3. Maintaining Neutrality in Global Conflict
When war broke out between France and Great Britain, Washington issued the Neutrality Proclamation of 1793. This decision kept the U.S. out of a potentially devastating war and allowed the country to focus on internal growth. It wasn’t popular with everyone—but it was pragmatic. It was a good way to not get entangled in another war. At the time, the USA relied heavily on trade with Britain. On the other hand, France came to our aid during the Revolutionary War. Washington thought it would be in our best interest to remain neutral.
In fact, Americans were told that if they got involved in the war, they wouldn’t have the protection of the American government. This helped to establish the presidency at a director when it came to foreign policy. However, there were many Americans who felt that they were abandoning their alliance with France, which led to political parties being formed, such as the Federalist and the Democratic-Republicans.
4. Asserting Federal Authority
The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 tested whether the new government had real power. Many farmers in Western Pennsylvania felt that taxing the whiskey would lead to them losing a portion of their income. At one point, around 400 whiskey making farmers destroyed an inspectors home. Washington responded by calling up militia forces and personally leading them part of the way. The rebellion dissolved without major violence, proving that the federal government was not just symbolic—it could enforce its laws.
The Problems: Where Washington Falls Short
Washington wasn’t perfect, and he did a few things wrong.
1. Slavery and Moral Contradiction
Washington was a slave owner throughout most of his life. While he became regretful about it, he eventually arranged for his slaves to be freed after his wife’s death (Afraid for her safety, Martha Washing freed her slaves early on January 1st, 1801.
He benefited from enslaved labor and did not take public action to challenge the institution. This created a deep contradiction. The man who led a revolution for liberty for some presided over a system that denied it for others. This flaw is found to be common among many of the early presidents.
2. The Jay Treaty and Public Backlash
The Jay Treaty aimed to avoid war with Britain and stabilize trade. There was a backlash against this treaty because it wouldn’t stop the British from kidnapping American sailors and making them part of the Royal Navy. However, on the other side, it could have created a war that would devastate the new country so Washington supported the Jay Treaty. This is where signs of a two party system began to manifest, as the Democratic-Republicans supported the French, the Federalists supported the British. There were public protests and political divisions.
Washington pushed it through anyway—showing strong leadership, but also a willingness to override popular sentiment.
3. Native American Policy
Washington’s administration pursued expansion into western territories, leading to conflict with Native nations. In some cases he would make treaties with them. However, he view their standard of life being lower than that of the Americans and would try to “civilize” them by trying to stop them from hunting and to adopt a more European-like agriculture. However, he used military against them if they didn’t comply which often led to bloodshed. His relationship with the Natives was complicated, and probably not as bad as someone like Andrew Jackson.
4. The Rise of Political Parties
Washington famously warned against political factions, yet his presidency helped create them. Within his cabinet Thomas Jefferson would be the leader of the Democratic-Republicans while Alexander Hamilton would lead the Federalists. The Federalists wanted a strong central government while the Democratic-Republicans was in favor of states’ rights. Federalist were for manufacturing, commerce, and a national bank. The Democratic-Republicans promoted agrarianism (a political philosophy that favors rural agricultural life to be better than urban life), farming, and fair trade.
Instead of preventing division, his administration became the battleground where party politics began. This irony is hard to ignore.
5. Expanding Federal Power
While necessary in some cases, Washington’s actions strengthened centralized authority and set precedents for federal intervention For some American citizens, this raised concerns such as had the revolution simply replaced one powerful government with another? There are many who still wonder that today with all the things we get taxed for.
The Farewell Address: A Final Warning
In 1796, Washington delivered his famous farewell address, and warned about political parties, foreign entanglements, and regional divisions, all of which would become part of America’s future. Imagine if the USA today avoided foreign entanglements. Instead we are in them to a great extent. This doesn’t make Washington wrong, but it makes him quite perceptive.
Final Assessment: A Necessary Founder, Not a Perfect One
Washington’s presidency was foundational. He created stability-where there was uncertainty when it came to creating a new nation. He showed a restraint in power by only being president for two terms. When asked what they should call him, he didn’t go with a term that symbolized royalty, but rather said to just call him “president.” He helped to define what leadership should look like.
But he also participated in slavery, oversaw expansion that harmed Native populations, and contributed to political divisions even though he tried to avoid it.
Washington wasn’t great because he was flawless. He was great because he understood the weight of power—and, more often than not, chose restraint. That doesn’t erase his failures. But it does explain why his presidency still matters. He built the foundations of what a presidency should look like.
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Further Reading (Affiliate Links)
Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis
Washington: The Indispensable Man James Thomas Flexner
The Cabinet by Lindsay M. Chervinsky
Never Caught by Emily Armstrong Dunbar
The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents by Bill Yenne
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