(cid:3) (cid:3) TABLE OF CONTENTS (cid:144)(cid:3)(cid:144)(cid:3)(cid:144) 7 CHAPTER NO_ 1 STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS Before 1787 no one had ever heard of a government being led by a president Kings and queens were common around the world then 4 INTRODUCTION George Washington said that when he became the first president of the United States he felt like a culprit who is going to his place of execution 17 CHAPTER NO_ 2 THE PEOPLE IN THE WHITE HOUSE Some would prefer that the president stick to the few duties outlined in Article II But that job description doesn’t say what the president cannot do 27 CHAPTER NO_ 3 37 CHAPTER NO_ 4 UNCOVERING POWERS The President’s responsibilities are far more extensive and detailed today than they were two centuries ago When Washington was president he met with a cabinet of four people THE PATH OF PRESIDENTIAL POWER Every four years voters in the U S decide whom they want as president According to the media and the candidates every election is a critical one
46 Endnotes 47 Selected Bibliography 47 Websites 48 Index REFERENCE WE THE PEOPLE 9 GEORGE WASHINGTON First American president 10 THOMAS JEFFERSON Scholarly diplomat 19 ANDREW JACKSON Militant people’s president 20 ABRAHAM LINCOLN Eloquent Civil War leader 29 THEODORE ROOSEVELT Tireless 20th-century reformer 30 WOODROW WILSON From academic to wartime chief 39 FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT Longest-serving president 40 RICHARD NIXON Only person to resign the post
INTRODUCTION George Washington said that when he became the first president of the United States he felt like a culprit who is going to his place of execution THE U S PRESIDENCY On leaving office Thomas Jefferson said Never did a prisoner re leased from his chains feel such relief as I shall on shaking off the shackles of power Today a president never drives his own car His kids must have people guarding them in school He can’t even get a pay raise Who’d want a job like that Many people And they organize thousands of workers and raise millions of dollars to try to get elect ed That’s because the president has the power to make and change history He or she if a woman ever gets elected is one of the most influential people on Earth The job created by the people is the only one in the world with the title Leader of the Free World 4
Washington was the unanimous choice of the electoral college for both of his terms
