CHAPTER ONE THE RELUCTANT PRESIDENT The crowd cheered loudly as George Washington stepped onto the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City on April 30 1789 People had started arriving early in the morning The crowd now filled the square Some people even sat on rooftops for the important occasion Everyone wanted to see His Excellency take the oath of office to become the first president of the United States George Washington took the oath of office to become US president on April 30 1789 5
Washington became a legend as general of the C o n t i n e n t a l A r m y d u r i n g t h e R e v o l u t i o n a r y W a r During the ceremony Washington swore to preserve protect and defend the Constitution of the United States The air hummed with excitement Celebrations filled every corner of the city But Washington was not filled with joy The former leader of the Continental Army was uneasy 6
Washington later described his feelings in his diary He said the presidency was unlike any job he held before Washington questioned if he had the skills to lead the country The American people believed he did All the states representatives had voted for him The General’s Commission In the 1600s Britain started 13 colonies on the eastern coast of North America By the 1770s many colonists were unhappy with British rule They were upset they did not have representation in Britain The war for the colonies independence the Revolutionary War 1775 1783 broke out in 1775 Washington became a legend during the war He was the leader of the army that fought against British rule After many battles the newly formed United States of America achieved victory over the British When the war was over many thought Washington was the clear choice to lead the country But in December 1783 he did something 7
