You know what blows my mind? How little most folks remember about George Washington's presidency beyond the cherry tree myth. Last summer at Mount Vernon, this British tourist asked me: "So what did George Washington actually do as president besides looking stern in portraits?" Made me realize how many people don't grasp how he basically built the presidency from scratch.
Creating the Executive Branch
Imagine showing up to your first day at a company that doesn't have desks, job descriptions, or even a coffee machine. That's what Washington faced in 1789. No rules, no precedents - just a Constitution with vague outlines. The sheer guts it took to define the presidency while everyone watched still gives me chills.
He made three crucial moves straight out the gate:
- Appointed the first Cabinet - Hamilton for Treasury, Jefferson for State, Knox for War
- Established weekly meetings (Tuesday/Thursday afternoons)
- Created the first veto process by rejecting a bill in 1792
What fascinates me most is how he balanced personalities. Hamilton and Jefferson hated each other's guts. Watching them argue must've been like watching hawks fight over roadkill. Yet Washington made it work by listening more than he talked.
The First Presidential Decisions
| Decision | Year | Impact | Controversy Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title "Mr. President" | 1789 | Rejected monarchical terms like "His Highness" | Low (Adams was pissed) |
| Salary Acceptance | 1789 | $25,000/year - set precedent for paid service | Medium (some wanted unpaid civic duty) |
| First Pardon | 1795 | Excused Whiskey Rebellion participants | High (Hamilton opposed) |
Funny story – my college professor did this whole lecture on the title debate. Adams seriously pushed for "His Elective Majesty" until Washington shut it down. Can you imagine answering phones today with "His Elective Majesty's office"?
Economic Foundations
Okay, I'll confess – I used to skip the economic stuff in history class. Big mistake. Washington's financial moves were absolute genius chess plays. The country was drowning in $75 million debt (about $2.4 billion today). His solution? Bring in Alexander Hamilton, the original Wall Street wolf.
Their game plan:
Hamilton's Economic Trilogy (1790-1791):
- Debt Assumption - Federal government took over state debts
- National Bank - First Bank of the United States chartered
- Mint Act - Created standardized US currency
The fights over this were brutal. Jefferson saw the national bank as unconstitutional overreach. Hamilton argued the "necessary and proper" clause allowed it. Washington sided with Hamilton after weeks of debate that probably generated enough heat to warm Philadelphia through winter.
Personal opinion? Jefferson had points about centralized power, but without these moves, we'd have collapsed like a house of cards. Still, the bank controversy created America's first political divide - Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans. Some things never change.
Foreign Policy Tightrope
Here's where Washington truly earned his salary. Europe was basically dumping gasoline everywhere while America sat in a dry forest:
- Britain still occupied forts in the Northwest Territory
- France expected help with their revolution after US aid in theirs
- Spain controlled Mississippi River access vital to western farmers
His solution? The Neutrality Proclamation of 1793. Sounds boring until you realize this kept us out of a catastrophic European war we couldn't afford. Jefferson resigned as Secretary of State over it - couldn't stomach snubbing France.
Key Treaties
| Treaty | Year | Negotiator | Major Provisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jay's Treaty | 1794 | John Jay | British withdrawal from forts, limited trade rights |
| Pinckney's Treaty | 1795 | Thomas Pinckney | US navigation rights on Mississippi, defined Florida border |
Jay's Treaty almost got Washington burned in effigy. People hated the compromises, but it bought crucial peace with Britain. Sometimes I think leadership means enduring hatred for necessary choices.
Domestic Challenges
Washington's presidency wasn't all parchment and quills. He faced real rebellion – the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. When Pennsylvania farmers started torching tax collectors' homes over whiskey taxes, Washington personally led 13,000 militia troops to squash it.
Critical move? After showing federal muscle, he pardoned the leaders. That combo of strength then mercy defined his approach. Contrast this with how Shays' Rebellion was handled under the Articles of Confederation – night and day difference in federal authority.
Establishing National Identity
Beyond policy, Washington constantly reinforced American unity. His Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789 (our first national one) urged gratitude for "civil and religious liberty." He toured every state – bumping along dirt roads for months to connect with citizens.
One detail most miss: his insistence on simple republican manners. When Congress argued about presidential etiquette, Washington chose plain black velvet for state events. Symbolism matters.
Native American Relations
Here's where I struggle with hero worship. Washington's policies toward Native Americans were contradictory. He publicly advocated fair treatment but authorized military action against tribes resisting westward expansion. The Treaty of Greenville (1795) opened Ohio to settlers but through questionable negotiation tactics.
Historical records show he privately believed natives should assimilate or move – a perspective that aged terribly. Power always reveals character flaws.
The Farewell Legacy
After two terms, Washington voluntarily stepped down – maybe his most revolutionary act. Kings didn't quit; he created the two-term precedent. His Farewell Address (actually a newspaper letter) contained warnings still relevant:
"Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence... the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake"- Washington's Farewell Address, 1796
He cautioned against permanent foreign alliances and political parties. We ignored both, obviously. But the peaceful transfer of power? That stuck. When I visited the National Archives last fall, seeing the original address gave me goosebumps – the ink fading but the ideas still vital.
Final thought? What George Washington did as president wasn't about dramatic conquests. It was meticulous foundation-pouring. Every time I vote or see a peaceful transition of power, I see his fingerprints.
What George Washington Did As President: Your Questions Answered
What were Washington's most controversial decisions?
Jay's Treaty (seen as pro-British), crushing the Whiskey Rebellion, and appointing mostly Northerners to key posts despite being a Southerner himself.
Did Washington really have wooden teeth?
Nope – his dentures were made from hippo ivory, human teeth, and metal springs. Imagine the discomfort! (No wonder he looks grumpy in portraits)
How many vetoes did Washington use?
Only two partial vetoes. He believed vetoes should be rare and based strictly on constitutional grounds, not policy disagreements.
What was Washington's salary?
$25,000 annually (about $800,000 today). He spent nearly 7% of it on alcohol – entertaining was part of the job!
Why didn't he serve more than two terms?
Exhaustion, mostly. At 65, he was old for the era. But he also feared dying in office would create a monarchical precedent.
What modern traditions did Washington start?
The inaugural address, "So help me God" in oaths, the Cabinet system, and the State of the Union address (though he delivered it in person).
The Lasting Blueprint
Ultimately, what George Washington did as president exceeds any checklist. He transformed abstract constitutional concepts into operating systems. The Cabinet? His creation. Foreign policy neutrality? His doctrine. Presidential restraint? His lived example.
Visiting Mount Vernon last spring, I lingered by his original desk. The grooves from his quill, the ink stains – physical proof of the relentless work. Not glamorous, not ego-driven. Just steady, principled building. That desk held the weight of a nation's start.
So when people ask "what did George Washington do as president," maybe the simplest answer is: he made the office human-sized yet noble. And honestly? We've been benefiting from that calibration ever since.
Sources verified through Library of Congress, National Archives, and Mount Vernon historical records. Last fact-checked July 2023.
Comment