He didn't want the job. Seriously.
When people ask when was George Washington president of the United States, they usually just want the dates: 1789 to 1797. But the "when" of it all is actually a bit of a mess. It wasn't like today where everything is automated and synchronized. Washington was actually inaugurated on April 30, 1789. That’s nearly two months after the new government was technically supposed to start. The roads were bad, the votes took forever to count, and honestly, the man was kind of dreading the whole thing. He described his journey to New York City for the ceremony as feeling like a "culprit who is going to the place of his execution."
He served two terms. Eight years that basically decided if the American experiment would actually work or just go up in flames.
The First Term: 1789 to 1793
The first four years were about making things up as he went along. There was no blueprint. The Constitution gave the broad strokes, but it didn't say how a president should actually act. Does he wear a crown? (No.) Does he bow? (He preferred a formal bow over a handshake, actually.)
During this first stretch, Washington had to deal with a massive amount of debt left over from the Revolutionary War. This is where the famous rivalry between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson really kicked off. Hamilton was the Treasury Secretary, and Jefferson was Secretary of State. They hated each other's visions for the country. Washington was stuck in the middle, trying to play referee while also setting up the first Supreme Court and signing the Bill of Rights into law in 1791.
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People often forget that the capital wasn't even in D.C. yet. When he started, the government was in New York. Then it moved to Philadelphia. Washington spent most of his presidency overseeing the plans for the "Federal City" that would eventually bear his name, but he’s the only president who never actually lived in the White House.
The Second Term: 1793 to 1797
By 1792, Washington wanted to go home to Mount Vernon. He was tired. He was older, his hearing was failing, and the constant bickering between political factions was getting on his nerves. But both Hamilton and Jefferson—who agreed on almost nothing—begged him to run again. They were terrified the country would tear itself apart without him.
He was re-elected unanimously by the Electoral College in 1792. His second term officially began on March 4, 1793.
This second half was way more stressful. Foreign policy became a nightmare. The French Revolution had turned into a bloody mess, and Britain and France were at war. Everyone in America wanted to pick a side. Washington issued the Proclamation of Neutrality in 1793. It was a bold move that basically said, "We're too young and too broke to get involved in European drama." It made him a lot of enemies. People called him a traitor. It’s wild to think about now, but the "Father of His Country" was getting absolutely roasted in the newspapers by the mid-1790s.
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Then there was the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. Farmers in Western Pennsylvania were furious about a new tax on spirits. They started getting violent. Washington did something no other sitting president has done: he actually donned his old uniform and led a militia of nearly 13,000 men to put down the insurrection. He didn't have to fire a shot—the rebels dispersed when they saw the "Old Fox" coming—but it proved the federal government had teeth.
The Final Exit
Washington’s presidency ended on March 4, 1797.
His most important act as president might have been leaving. By stepping down after two terms, he created a "shadow law" that lasted until FDR broke it in 1940. He wanted to show the world that the United States wasn't a monarchy. Power could be handed over peacefully.
His Farewell Address wasn't a speech he actually delivered in person; it was a letter published in the Philadelphia Daily American Advertiser. He warned against two things: political parties and "permanent alliances" with foreign nations. Looking at the news today, it’s pretty clear we didn't exactly follow his advice.
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Key Dates to Remember
- April 30, 1789: First Inauguration at Federal Hall, NYC.
- 1791: The Bill of Rights is officially ratified.
- March 4, 1793: Second Inauguration in Philadelphia.
- 1794: The Whiskey Rebellion test.
- 1795: The Jay Treaty is signed, barely avoiding another war with Britain.
- March 4, 1797: Washington leaves office, handing the reins to John Adams.
Why the exact timing mattered
If Washington had died in office or refused to leave, the presidency probably would have turned into a life-term position, similar to a king. The "when" is important because it happened while the world was watching to see if democracy was a fluke. He was the right person at the exactly right time because he had the prestige to command respect but the restraint to not abuse it.
He spent his final years back at Mount Vernon, finally getting to be a farmer again, though he only had about two years of retirement before he passed away in 1799.
Actionable Insights for History Buffs and Students
If you're digging into the Washington era, don't just look at the dates. To really understand the stakes of 1789-1797, you should:
- Read the Whiskey Rebellion Proclamation: It’s one of the best examples of Washington’s "law and order" philosophy.
- Visit the President’s House Site in Philadelphia: Most people go to D.C., but the real drama of his presidency happened in Philly.
- Compare the 1789 and 1793 Inaugural Addresses: The first is long and hopeful; the second is the shortest in history (only 135 words), showing just how much he wanted to get back to work—or just get it over with.
- Analyze the Jay Treaty: If you want to see why the country almost split in two during his second term, this is the document to study.
Understanding the timeline of Washington's presidency isn't just about memorizing years; it's about seeing how a brand-new government survived its most fragile decade.