George Washington's Precedents

A two-party system is where two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government. Under this system, one of the two parties typically holds a majority in the legislature and is usually referred to as the majority party while the other is the minority party. The current majority party in the USA is the Republican Party and the minority party is the Democratic Party. How did the two party system start? Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were the first to initially be part of the development of political parties. The two-party system had been used in other countries before the United States. Originally, this political legislature began in

Roosevelt (26nd president) & Wilson (28th president) both proudy served as presidents of the United States of America. Wilson served March 4, 1913 – March 4, 1921. Roosevelt served March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945. They are alike in a lot of different ways, but also different in several ways.

The United States of America would not be the same without the figures behind its liberty and name. Among these big people in the American History is George Washington. During the American Revolutionary War, he was the commander in chief of the Continental Army and became the first US president for two terms (1789 to 1790) and is highly influential for what US is what right now (George Washington, 2008). George Washington was the first president of the America and has numerous contributions to the country from every battle he led down to his leadership when he was the president.

James Madison was in some of the most influential government position during some of the most decisive times of American history with in turn had a lasting effect on the future of America. James Madison grew up in Virginia and attended Princeton University with a degree in law, government, and history. He was a political person who wrote the constitution, was secretary of state, and was later president. James Madison is most well know for his work on the Constitution, but was also the secretary of state and the president in times that had the most impact of America as we know it.

After discussing it at length, the Congress decided that three main departments were needed, although more would ultimately be added: The Department of Foreign Affairs (later renamed The State Department), The War Department, and the Treasury Department.7 For secretary of war, Washington appointed Henry Knox, a fellow general from the Revolutionary War. As Secretary of State, he ultimately chose Thomas Jefferson, although his first choice was John Jay, who would become Chief Justice. Finally, as secretary of the treasury, he chose Alexander Hamilton.8 Washington 's choice of Hamilton was particularly crucial, as he was entrusting him with the major task of resolving the new republic 's

Alexander Hamilton (2004) is a detailed true story of one of the most important figures in American history. It is based on Hamilton’s early life. As a politician, as a revolutionary war hero, and the first treasury secretary, Hamilton dedicated his life and intellect to unifying and strengthening the United States. Hamilton in truth did perhaps more than any other one person to secure the power of the American Union. Though he was never president, he was a hero deemed as a true founding father, title he kept till his death.

Al Smith urged Franklin Roosevelt to run for governor of New York, in 1928. Roosevelt was narrowly elected, and the victory gave him confidence that his political star was rising. As governor, he believed in progressive government and instituted a number of new social programs. By 1930, Republicans were being blamed for the Great Depression and Franklin Roosevelt sensed opportunity. He began his run for the presidency, calling for government intervention in the economy to provide relief, recovery and reform. His upbeat, positive approach and personal charm helped him defeat Republican incumbent Herbert Hoover in November 1932. By the time Roosevelt took office in March of 1933, there were 13 million unemployed Americans, and hundreds of banks

George Washington’s presidency did couple key things. First, it established the unwritten rule that a President was only supposed to serve two terms in office. This unwritten rule was only ever broken by Franklin Roosevelt during WW II, and it later became an Amendment to the Constitution. Second, Washington talked at great length about isolationism in his farewell address, specifically citing that America should avoid foreign entanglements in Europe.

In 1796 George Washington gave his Farewell Address. Washington urged Americans to avoid excessive political party and geographical distinctions. George Washington was afraid that the parties would continue to grow seeking more power than other groups and eventually splitting the country in two. Washington was aware that other governments viewed political parties as destructive because of the temptation to manifest and retain power, but also because they would often seek to extract revenge on political opponents. So, in Washington’s Farewell Address warned the Americans to not have political parties and to be in union.

What would result from the repeal of the 22nd amendment? Would we be forced to submit to a dictatorship? Or would we be blessed with an illustrious leader? Would we be willing to take that risk? The 22nd amendment states that, “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice...” Recent discussions and proposals have been put forth to repeal or modify the amendment. No person should have that opportunity to surrender to the charms of power. Two four year terms should be more than enough time to make a positive change for the nation.

In the farewell speech of George Washington (1796), the outgoing president warned that the creation of political factions "sharpened by the spirit of vengeance" would certainly lead to "formal and permanent despotism." Despite warnings from Washington, two of his closest advisers, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, helped form the factions that led to the dual party system in which the United States operates today. Other men, including James Madison and John Adams, also contributed to the formation of political parties, but Hamilton and Jefferson came to represent the divisions that shaped the national political landscape at the beginning.

The original cabinet consisted of four members and the President: George Washington (President), Thomas Jefferson (Secretary of State), Alexander Hamilton (Secretary of Treasury), Henry Knox (Secretary of War), and Edmund Randolph (Attorney General). However, as the government changes and creates new offices, the cabinet expands because it seems more suits to help the nation grow.

Long ago, during a revolutionary era when the country and the name of the United States even became official, there existed a group of colonists, and freedom-fighters alike, who sought to change a nation for the greater good. Most of these men, women, and children (a majority of the participants were men) came from European countries such as Great Britain, while the rest branched from other countries such as France, the Netherlands, Spain, and elsewhere. Although many of these people diverged from different backgrounds, all of these adventurous newcomers still shared the same exact vision in mind – they all wanted to establish a new home in the new world (America), and they all desired to obtain freedom and gain access to individual rights. But in order to accomplish all of that, they needed someone, or something, that was knowledgeable and powerful enough to give the American people what they truly needed and deserved.

George Washington is considered the third best president of all time. During his eight year reign as president he established what we know today as precedents. He was the first president to serve to terms and no other president has with the exception of Franklin Delano Roosevelt who served for four terms years during the Great Depression and World War II. Under his administration the first cabinets or bureaucracies, the Secretary of State and Treasury, were created, the addition of the Bill of rights to the Constitution, the passing of the Neutrality Act, Hamilton’s Economic Plan, and Jay’s and Pickney’s Treaty. Washington also coined the oh so popular phrase “Mr. President.”

The monograph His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis is a biographical account of the life of George Washington from his time as a young man, to his death. It explains historical information about George Washington’s life, with an emphasis on his character. This makes it different from normal stories which focus solely on Washington’s achievements. There are also many sources consulted in the making of this book, which adds an amazing level of detail and credibility, with the author being a professor of history himself. While the quality of information and the manner it is presented make a great source to learn about George Washington.