Name:
Date:
Core:
U.S. History
16 points
Washington Presidency:
Fact Check
Directions: Use the America in its Infancy, Part 1: A Really Brief Overview of the Washington
Presidency” handout to help you answer the following questions.
1. Identify the first person who served as President of the United States under the newly adopted
U.S. Constitution. ________________________________________ (1 point)
2. Identify the first person to serve as Vice President of the United States under the newly
adopted U.S. Constitution. ___________________________________ (1 point)
3. Describe how the vice-president was chosen back in 1789? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ (2 points)
4. Upon being elected president Washington said, “Few can realize the difficult and delicate part
which a man in my situation has to act…in our progress towards political happiness my
station is news; and, if I may use the expression, I walk on untrodden ground. There is
scarcely any part of my conduct which may not here after be drawn into precedent.”
Which of the following statements best captures the central idea of Washington’s quote? (4
points)
a. Washington meant that his job as the first president of the United States would be
difficult because he would be setting my precedents that future presidents would
follow
b. Washington meant that his job would be difficult because being a president is a really
important job that has a lot of responsibilities. A lot of people were depending on
his and Washington felt the pressure.
c. Washington meant that his job as the first president of the United States would be
difficult because everyone would be watching him, especially the British. The British
were waiting for him to make a mistake so they could try and take over the country
again.
5. Briefly explain why George Washington wanted to be called “Mr. President.” ______________
______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ (2 points)
More on the Back!
6. The President of the United States has a group of advisors known as the ________________ (1
point).
7. These advisors/secretaries serve as experts on different issues facing the country (i.e.
education, defense, the environment). If the Secretary of Defense advises the president to
take an action, but the president disagrees with that advice, is the president required to do
what the Secretary of Defense suggests?
I think that the president ______ (is or is not) required to do what the Secretary of Defense
suggests because in the text it says: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________( 2 points)
8. During his time as president, Washington established the precedent that the president would
have the most power when it came to foreign relation issues. Briefly explain how the
Neutrality Proclamation of 1793 illustrates this precedent.
The Neutrality Proclamation of 1793 shows that U.S. Presidents would have the ultimate
authority when it came to foreign relation issues because: ______________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ (3 points)
Describe the Neutrality Proclamation of 1793 as part of your explanation