George Washington

He is considered the father of our country, so you knew that George Washington would be on this list, right? Washington certainly deserves to be recognized for his quiet leadership in our country’s pivotal early years. During the First Continental Congress, he arrived in Philadelphia dressed in his French and Indian War uniform. Without saying a word, Washington let the rest of the delegates know that he was prepared to fight, if necessary.

When fighting did become necessary, after the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, Washington was nominated to lead the Continental Army and he accepted the responsibility. Despite the odds—he dealt with a lack of supplies, a lack of trained men, a traitor in his army, horrible winter conditions, and the knowledge that he and his army were committing treason—Washington ultimately led the Continental Army to victory against one of the most powerful countries in the world.

Jump ahead a few years. The Articles of Confederation, which gave more power to the 13 states than the central government, was proving too weak to hold the new country together. Everything Washington and his fellow soldiers had fought for was starting to unravel.

The Founding Fathers tried again and drafted a new framework for government—the Constitution. It called for a strong federal government consisting of three branches to balance it. One of those branches, the executive, called for “a President” to be elected. Now, remember, Americans had recently fought a war to rid themselves of one supreme ruler, King George III. They did not want to replace him with another king-like figure.

But Washington was an honest leader whom everyone respected. So, despite his personal desire to remain home at Mount Vernon and farm, Washington once again answered the call of duty to his country and accepted his unanimous election as the first president of the United States of America.

These were pivotal years in the young nation’s history. As the Founding Fathers had discovered through their many
congresses and conventions, the nation was pretty diverse. The industrial northern colonies did not have the same views or needs as the agricultural southern colonies. The country already had become divided over slavery, and it was in debt from the Revolutionary War. And, as Washington discovered in his own Cabinet, the question of who should have more power, the individual states or the federal government, sparked constant arguments.

Washington served two terms as president. He not only provided leadership to the country, but he also understood that he was establishing the office of the president. He commanded respect, but not total devotion. He made the decisions, but he asked his Cabinet for advice and input. He showed how to be a leader, not a ruler.

And here’s the kicker. He could have served longer and was urged to do so, for the good of the country. But Washington declined to run a third term. It was time to put the democratic principles of government to work and let the office shift to someone else’s shoulders. People were amazed. What kind of person turns away from the highest office in the nation when it is his for the taking? Who has that kind of faith and confidence that there are other wise and committed people who could fill his place? A great one, of course.