Presidency Before George Washington: Understanding the Evolution of the U.S. Government

The United States did not have a president until after the Constitution was ratified. Before George Washington, the country was governed under the Articles of Confederation, a system that lacked a strong executive leadership role. This period of history marked a transition from colonial times to a newly formed nation.

Article of Confederation vs. Constitution

Before the Constitution was established in 1787 and ratified in 1788, the Articles of Confederation were the governing document of the United States. Under these Articles, there were no true presidents. Instead, the country was governed by a "Presidents of Congress Assembled," a position that had limited authority and was largely ceremonial. These individuals served one-year terms and held little real power.

Presidents Under the Articles of Confederation

John Hanson (1781-1782): Though Hanson is one of the more well-known of these presidents, he was not the only one to hold this title. Trivia: His statue is inside Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol. Elias Boudinot (1782-1783) Thomas Mifflin (1783-1784) Richard Henry Lee (1784-1785) John Hancock (1785-1786): Yes, that John Hancock, the famous signer of the Declaration of Independence. Nathaniel Gorham (1786-1787) Arthur St. Clair (1787-1788)

These individuals served one-year terms as "President of Congress Assembled," and their roles were more ceremonial than influential. They were essentially just the head of a group of delegates and did not have the authority or power that a constitutional president would have.

Challenges and Limitations of the Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation found it difficult to provide the necessary cohesion and leadership required for an effective government. This was partly due to the fear of establishing a powerful central authority, reminiscent of the British monarchy. The Articles established a government that was very weak and decentralized, lacking a strong executive role.

The Articles of Confederation proved to be inadequate and the need for a strong, centralized government led to the drafting and eventual ratification of the Constitution. The Constitution established a more robust executive branch with the role of President at its helm, which provided the necessary leadership and authority for the new nation to thrive.

George Washington as the First President

George Washington is often referred to as the first President of the United States, but in the context of the Constitution, he was the 9th. It is important to note that before Washington, the role of a "President" was quite different. These individuals who served under the Articles of Confederation were not considered to be Presidents in the constitutional sense. Their roles were more ceremonial and had limited authority.

Following the ratification of the Constitution, Washington was elected as the first President under this new system. His leadership and vision helped shape the United States into the strong, federal government we know today, providing the necessary power and authority to govern effectively.