The History of George Washington - Essay Example

Washington was a unifying factor and rallied the nation towards avoiding war, a fact that destabilized the strength of the country regarding foreign relations. His first significant challenge touched on his conduct concerning Jay’s Treaty, signed with England-a treaty that infuriated the public, leaving a trail of questions as to the extent to which the United States would be an influencing agent in international affairs. Nevertheless, putting into practice Hamilton’s plan strengthened economic prospects domestically. He did quell the Whiskey Rebellion, which was sparked by the levying of excise taxes, reminding people that federal concerns superseded local thoughts in the new republic. Generally, Washington’s tenure was a success as he steered the young nation through a delicate beginning (Ferling (b) 55).

Reeling under the influence and successes of their predecessor, Washington, John Adams assumed power promising to modernize the US economy through the promotion of education as well as keeping peace with foreign powers. However, his tenures ran into trouble with factions supporting the US-British alliance and those sympathetic to France in a war that began in 1793 between the two neighbours. Stymied by a congress controlled much by his opposes, Adams stood his ground, devoting his best to the development of his country (Ferling (b) 87). Wearing Washington’s shoes, he knew too well the unpreparedness of his nation to fight outside wars. As such, he sacrificed his popularity to settle a “quasi-war” with France through his son Quincy Adams (Grant 71). His best remembered as a diplomat who contributed immensely to shaping America's foreign policy in line with ardent nationalist policies tailored towards America’s republican values. His administration upheld and promoted moral principles in an era of modernization (McCullough 5-8).