His Excellency: George Washington

Once America has won independence, its leaders debate what kind of government the new country should have. Although all Americans agree that British-style monarchy should be avoided, there are many different shades of opinion on the matter. Washington represents a view that is more comfortable with certain trappings of aristocracy. For him, the main objection to King George III was more that he was British (and thus remote from American interests) rather than that he was a king. Washington believes that a strong, centralized government is necessary to create a common bond for the new nation. In addition, Washington comes from an elite class—both as a Virginia planter and as a military general—and believes in personal excellence and merit, as opposed to a view that all people are absolutely equal. Washington’s thinking on these matters is influenced by his experience during the Revolutionary War, when the lack of organization in Congress often meant that the army did not receive adequate provisions. For Washington, a centrally organized government is one that gets things done.

On the other side, thinkers like Thomas Jefferson hold to a more radically egalitarian, democratic view of society that becomes known as Republicanism. They espouse a small, limited government that leaves more freedom to state legislatures.