Many Americans know George Washington as the first U.S. President. But, not many know about the Pre-Washington President under the Articles of Confederation. Before the U.S. Constitution, the Articles of Confederation governed the nation. They made a president with much less power than today.
Under the Articles of Confederation, eight men were chosen for one-year terms as president. In November 1781, John Hanson became the first President of the United States in Congress Assembled. His role was more like a moderator than the strong leader we think of today.
From 1781 to 1789, the U.S. was figuring out how to govern after the Revolutionary War. The Articles of Confederation were a big step but didn’t fully meet the nation’s needs. This led to the creation and ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Key Takeaways
- Before George Washington, there were presidents under the Articles of Confederation, with John Hanson being the first
- The Articles of Confederation presidency was largely ceremonial, with no executive power
- Eight men served one-year terms as president under the Articles of Confederation
- The Articles of Confederation period lasted from 1781 to 1789
- The challenges faced under the Articles of Confederation led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution
The Forgotten First President: John Hanson
John Hanson is often forgotten as the first President of the United States under the Articles of Confederation. He served as the President of Congress from 1781 to 1782. Hanson was key in leading the nation after the American Revolution.
Hanson worked hard to build the early government of the United States. He made sure all foreign troops left American soil, showing the nation’s independence. He also started the Treasury Department and the Foreign Affairs Department.
Hanson wanted the West to be part of the United States. His efforts helped the nation grow. He also made Thanksgiving a national holiday, on the fourth Thursday of November.
Hanson was crucial in keeping the states together during hard times. His leadership made him a great figure of the American Revolution. For more on the early history of America, check out this link.
The Pre-Washington Presidency Under the Articles of Confederation
After John Hanson, seven more people became Presidents before Washington under the Articles of Confederation. They were crucial in shaping the young nation. Elias Boudinot, Thomas Mifflin, Richard Henry Lee, John Hancock, Nathaniel Gorham, Arthur St. Clair, and Cyrus Griffin were elected by the Continental Congress.
The Articles of Confederation gave a basic structure to the new nation but didn’t give the federal government enough power. States kept a lot of their own power and often put their interests first. This made it hard to raise money, manage trade, and solve state disputes.
Even with the efforts of the Presidents and the Continental Congress, the Articles of Confederation didn’t work well. The weak government couldn’t support itself financially. States cared more about their own power than the federal government’s authority. This led to political and economic problems, showing the need for a stronger government.
The Transition from the Articles of Confederation to the U.S. Constitution
The young nation faced big problems with the Articles of Confederation. It couldn’t tax or create a united militia to stop Shays’ Rebellion. These issues showed the need for a stronger government.
In 1787, a meeting at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia aimed to fix the government. George Washington led the convention. The delegates decided the Articles of Confederation needed a complete overhaul.
They created the U.S. Constitution, giving the federal government more power. George Washington, a key figure at the convention, became the first President in 1789. This new role was much stronger than the old President of Congress, helping the nation tackle its problems better.
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