Leaders of Our Country That Have Got Us Where We Are Today

Monique Pitre

Mr. Watson

APUSH

10/18/11

Unit 4 Essay

A leader isn't something easy to find. A leader that is able to shape an entire country is even harder to find. George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson all are considered great leaders of America; they each contributed differently to establishing our government as how it is today.

George Washington if nothing more is an American hero. He was the man that held America together through his leadership. The choices that he made have changed history. He set all of the major precedents that our country has today. How he treated his power as chief executive set the example for all of the leaders to come. He knew where his position was and rejected titles used I monarchies. He showed what the President was supposed to do. With his loose interpretation of the Constitution, he made federal departments, created the first Cabinet of Advisors to help him run the office, created the new national army and navy, and appointed judges; all things that are still currently practiced. Washington also established the Neutrality Act. He set America apart from the Europeans and protected the nation from possible enemies. Washington's decision to step down after two terms reflected his belief that no person should hold power for too long because corruption would eventually set in. Washington supported the Bill of Rights and Hamilton's financial plan. He established economic stability while in office. From the very beginning, he implemented compromise. The first time was about where the national capitol would be. Washington had the people in mind for everything that he did. He was able to resolve the conflict with England by supporting Jay's treaty. He also supported Pinckney's treaty to allow open access to the Mississippi River. Washington never took sides of political parties, and said to avoid them. He took matters into his own hands with the Whiskey Rebellion and enforced the payment of taxes. Washington took his job seriously and because of this, the country wound up with a stable government.

John Adams served two terms as Vice-President under Washington. He then went on to serve as President. While