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George Washington's Influence On Society

Decent Essays

“‘The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security… in the absolute power of an individual’, “ (George Washington, The American Journey, page 266). George Washington is well-known as America’s marvelous first president, but fewer know the struggles he faces during his two terms as the country’s leader. While in office, George Washington sets a multitude of precedents that help shape the country in its early stages but, his actions meet repercussions. Washington must deal with the nation’s crippling war debt; however, the people reject many of Washington’s choices. To keep the new country alive, George Washington has to overcome the challenges he encounters, and every decision he makes influences America forever.

As America’s first president, George Washington creates multiple precedents or traditions he knows will stick. While giving the first Inaugural Address before taking office, he adds the famous line “So help me God,” at the end. Now sworn in, Washington spends his days working and his evenings at parties with other political figures. He assembles the first cabinet to help him and ensures the separation of powers between the three branches …show more content…

To small farmers, whiskey is equal to money; even priests occasionally get paid in whiskey. The tax is not on drinking whiskey but on making whiskey from the grains farmers grow. In July, 1794, all the issues come to a head in western Pennsylvania. Farmers gather holding weapons and form a mob, attacking tax collectors and burning buildings to the ground. George Washington and his advisors must make a hard decision: should they use force to put silence the firebrands? The government exemplifies their right to use force to maintain peace and use soldiers to end the violent protests. Later, masses will recognize this event as the Whiskey Rebellion, just another small complication during Washington’s two

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