George Washington and the Origins of the American Presidency

This essay collection is a retrospective analysis of the Washington administration's importance to the understanding of the modern presidency. Contemporary presidential scholarship gives little attention to the enormous impact that Washington's actions had on establishing the presidency. Most contemporary literature starts with 1933 and, although FDR's impact on the development of the modern institution of the presidency is undeniable, Washington's actions in office also established standards for practices that continue to this day. This analysis of the Washington presidency begins with an examination of Washington's leadership and its relevance to the modern presidency. The second group of essays looks at different aspects of presidential powers and the precedents established by the Washington administration. The third section examines Washington's press coverage, looking at the origins of Washington's image and the various myths in the press as well as the president's difficult relations with his contemporary press. A thoughtful and important corrective that will be of interest to scholars, students, and researchers involved with the American presidency and its history. Annotation Examines The Washington Administration And Its Importance To The Understanding Of The Modern Presidency. Annotation This Essay Collection Is A Retrospective Analysis Of The Washington Administration And An Examination Of Its Importance To Understanding The Modern Presidency. Contemporary Presidential Scholarship Gives Little Attention To The Enormous Impact That Washington's Actions Had On Establishing The Presidency. Many Of Washington's Precedents Last To This Day, And In Some Respects His Presidency Established A Model Of Leadership That Is Quite Relevant Today. George Washington And The Origins Of The American Presidency / Mark J. Rozell -- George Washington : Reluctant Occupant, Uncertain Model For The Presidency / Byron W. Daynes -- George Washington : The First Modern President? A Reply To Nichols / Thomas Engeman And Raymond Tatalovich -- Family Imagery And Revolutionary Spirit : Washington's Creative Leadership / Elizabeth W. Marvick -- Washington, Hamilton, And The Establishment Of The Dignified And Efficient Presidency / Malcolm L. Cross -- Power Of Making Treaties : Washington, Madison, And The Debate Over The Jay Treaty / John W. Kuehl -- Father Of Our Country As Court-packer-in-chief : George Washington And The Supreme Court / Henry J. Abraham And Barbara A. Perry -- George Washington And The Origins Of Executive Privilege / Mark J. Rozell -- George Washington And The Press / Carol Sue Humphrey -- Beginning A Legend : George Washington In The Boston Newspapers, 1754-1758 / Frank E. Dunkle -- George Washington : The Origins Of Presidential-press Relations / Graham G. Dodds. Edited By Mark J. Rozell, William D. Pederson, And Frank J. Williams. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Preliminaries......Page 1 Contents......Page 3 American Presidency......Page 5 1 George Washington Reluctant Occupant Uncertain Model for the Presidency......Page 17 2 George Washington The First Modern President A Reply to Nichols......Page 51 3 Family Imagery and Revolutionary Spirit Washington’s Creative Leadership......Page 91 4 Washington Hamilton and the Establishment of the Dignified and Efficient Presidency......Page 109 5 The Power of Making Treaties Washington Madison and the Debate over the Jay Treaty......Page 131 7 George Washington and the Origins of Executive Privilege......Page 159 8 George Washington and the Press......Page 171 9 Beginning a Legend George Washington in the Boston Newspapers 1754 1758......Page 185 10 George Washington The Origins of Presidential Press Relations......Page 201 Index......Page 217 About the Contributors......Page 223 In looking at the presidency of George Washington, the one question that needs to be asked by political scientists is, Can we learn anything about the modern presidency by examining the presidency of George Washington, or will the net effect be negligible? This collection of essays is a retrospective analysis of the Washington administration's importance to the understanding of the modern presidency. The text also looks at different aspects of presidential powers, and at Washington's varying press coverage