George Washington And The Initial Practice Of The American Presidency

The United States is the earliest country of establishing the Presidency and also is the most successful country of implementing the Presidency. Since 1789 when the Presidency began to practice in America, the Presidency has brought about important changes in more than 200 years. However, some basic principles of the Presidency has extended up to now from the founding of the country and a part of these basic principles were derived from the provisions of the constitution, the more came from the precedents which were established by some early presidents. About the precedents of the Presidency, the contribution of the first president of George Washington was particularly important. Therefore, the operation of the Presidency of Washington will become a key to study the evolution of the American Presidency.This dissertation includes the foreword, the text, the conclusion and the reference. The foreword will introduce the research status of Washington's Presidency by the Chinese and the American scholars and then will point out the meaning of this study. The text will explore George Washington and the practice of the Presidency. Part one will analyse the background and process of the Presidency. One of the reasons of the foundation of the Presidency in America is the influnce of the theory of mixed government and the idea of the separation of powers, while the more important reason is from the political practice of the colonial and the confederational peroid. The abuse of the goveror's executive power in colonial peroid and the lack of the executive power in the confederational government had made the American detest the executive power, but they also realized that the executive power was indispensable. This paradoxical mind had been exhibitted in the Convention of 1787 and at last, the Framers had designed a new system, the Presidency. Part two will discuss Washington and the actual establishment of the Presidency. Had became the Commander-in-chief of the Continent Army from a farmer of Virginia, Washington possessed supreme prestige in his country. He was the president of the Convention of 1787 and helped states ratify the new constitution after the Convention. He had received the respect and trust of American and was elected as the first president of America at last. Part three will discuss the relationships between Washingtong and the Federal administration. Washington interpreted the executive role of the president after holding the office. He made the Presideny become the chief of state and the leader of the government. He established the precedent of conculting ministers through the cabinet and at the same time, he made the ministers obey the president's order. Part four will explore the relationships between the president and the congress. Washington obeyed the congress in the domestic problems; he seldom put forward legislation advice and used the veto, while he claimed president's dominance in the field of diplomacy and military. Part five will discuss the relationships between the President and the Supreme Court. Washington established some basic principles of appointing judiciary and these principles have exerted influence till today. The conclusion will summarize all content and point out the main contribution of Washingtong to the Presidency.