Government Unit Week 2 - George Washington

George Washington's Election 1789

By Amy Hope

Choosing a President

• After America had laws, they needed a leader

• Some people pushed for a king to chosen, but others feared this would lead to the same problems the colonists experienced in Great Britain

• Finally, the people agreed to elect, or vote for a leader they would call the President 

George Washington was chosen as the first U.S president

How did George Washington shape the presidents of the future?

• Washington set the tone for how presidents would treat regular citizens

• He refused to be called a king, and instead insisted on being known as Mr. President

• Washington also hired helpers, known as the Cabinet, to help govern the country. The president still has Cabinet members today!

Washington also promoted democratic values by talking with regular citizens and being kind to the next president, John Adams, when it was his turn to leave. Even today, people are allowed to talk with government leaders, and when a new president is chosen, the transfer of power is always peaceful.

Multiple Choice

What did America need after they had established laws and rules?

• A King

• A Queen

• A Teacher

• A Leader

Multiple Choice

How did the people choose a leader?

• Congress chose the leader

• The President chose the Leader

• They People elected the Leader

• The People had many leaders

Multiple Choice

Who was the First chosen leader of America?

• Abraham Lincoln

• George Washington

• Thomas Jefferson

• Benjamin Franklin

Why It Matters

• All of Washington’s decisions helped set America up to be the type of government it was supposed to be: a democracy

• Democracy means everyone has a voice in the government and the rules

Democracy is different from other types of government. That is what makes it special. In many parts of the world, people cannot vote for leaders, complain about the government, or have freedom to do what they want.

Multiple Choice

Washington promoted what type of governing?

• Democracy

• Dictatorship

• Monarchy

• Anarchy

Multiple Choice

Democracy means everyone has a say in what?

• Whether or not you obey the rules or not

• Writing the laws of the U.S.

• The rules of the government

• Enforcing the laws of the U.S

Multiple Choice

Why is America's government special and different from other parts of the world?

• We don't have a say or voice in our government

• We are ruled by a King

• We are told what we have to do and say

• We vote for our leaders