The First President

“Fearing anarchy, disunion, and an end to American freedom if he failed to act decisively, [Washington] transformed himself-and the presidency-from a relatively impotent figurehead into America’s most powerful leader…” (3).

The Book

It is common knowledge that George Washington served as the first president of the United States and set many precedents that his successors followed. However, many do not know the reasoning behind the precedents or the extent to which Washington’s fingerprints are on the presidency. In “Mr. President”: George Washington and the Making of the Nation’s Highest Office, author Harlow Giles Unger outlines “the seven pillars of power [which Washington raised] that sustain the mighty American presidency edifice today-the power to control executive appointments, foreign policy, military affairs, government finances, and federal law enforcement, along with the power to legislate by presidential proclamation and to issue secret fiats under the cloak of executive privilege” (3).  

Unger begins his biography at the end of the Revolutionary War and follows Washington through the government of the Articles of Confederation, his leadership of the Constitutional Convention, his eight years as president, and his retirement. During this time period, the reader comes to release the precarious position the United States of America was in: civil unrest over the size of the federal government and taxes, state’s rights, and foreign influence. The reasoning behind Washington’s pillars of power is presented in detail.

There is a lot we can learn from Unger’s well-written biography of Washington. The reader will come away with a better appreciation for the role Washington played in the early stages of our country. Washington struggled with decisions, cabinet infighting, and negative press. He recognized his major failure as president: the inability to unite Americans into one country. The early stages of the United States were not easy or perfect, but Unger credits Washington with laying the groundwork for a stable presidential structure-one that still continues to this day.

The Place
The Washington Monument  was built to honor the man who was “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countryman” (Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee). However, the building of the monument was not simple. A monument was proposed prior to George Washington becoming president, but wasn’t completed until 1884. If you look closely, you can see two different colors because construction was halted for a time.

Inside the Monument, visitors will find a statue of Washington and an elevator ride to the top. The Monument towers over the National Mall and each of the four sides provide breathtaking views of Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

Currently, the Monument is closed (until Spring 2019) due to work being done on the elevator. Despite the fact that visitors cannot go up in the Monument, it is still a breathtaking site to walk along the National Mall and take it in. If you are planning a visit to Washington, DC in the future, check back with the National Park Service for additional information regarding the reopening.