Student Question
What was George Washington's lasting impact?
Quick answer:
George Washington's lasting impact includes setting important precedents for the U.S. presidency, such as establishing the Cabinet and limiting presidential terms to two, a tradition later formalized in the 22nd Amendment. He also advocated for neutrality in foreign conflicts, a stance that influenced U.S. foreign policy until the 20th century. As the first President, his leadership style and decisions shaped the executive branch and influenced future presidents and the nation's political culture.
Perhaps George Washington's most significant lasting impact is that, through his actions, he set important precedents for the presidency of the United States. He was, of course, the first President, and unlike all of his successors, he had no model to look to (except, perhaps, the negative model of European monarchy.) He was also aware that his decisions would, in turn, set precedents for what the leader of a republic should look and act like. Some of his decisions while in office were very important in this respect. First, he established the Cabinet, now crucial to the operation of the executive branch. This institution is not specifically called for, or at least not outlined in any detail, in the Constitution. So when Washington appointed Secretaries of State, War, Treasury, and an Attorney General, he established a precedent that would be followed by all of his successors. Presidents would be assisted...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
by formal advisors. Washington also began a practice of staying out of European wars that would last until the United States entered the First World War in 1917. First in his Neutrality Proclamation in response to the outbreak of war between Revolutionary France and Great Britain, and then in his famous Farewell Address, Washington asserted what would become the most important principle in American foreign policy until the twentieth century. Finally, Washington, by refusing to run for a third term, established a precedent that would be observed until 1940, when Franklin Roosevelt was elected a third time with World War II looming. This informal tradition was made law in the Twenty-second Amendment.
How did George Washington impact history?
George Washington served as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. After the war ended, Washington was elected to preside over the Constitutional Convention where, along with the other Founding Fathers of our country, he participated in drafting the Constitution of the United States. In 1789, he was elected to serve as the first President of the United States of America. Washington served two terms as president with his second term ending in 1797.
As the first President of the United States, Washington created a path along which others would follow. For example, despite the fact that during his presidency the Constitution did not set a limit to the number of terms that a president could serve, Washington did not choose to run for a third term. Subsequent presidents followed suit by serving only two terms until 1940 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected for a third term. The tradition of only serving two terms was written in the Constitution in the 22nd Amendment.
Washington would set many more precedents during his term as president. For example, he often relied on counsel from heads of departments, which set a precedent for the president choosing his own cabinet members. Washington also practiced executive restraint by not vetoing legislation that may have conflicted with his own beliefs. In his farewell address, he cautioned against foreign involvement in domestic affairs. This philosophy remained unchanged for the next century.
References