Which of the following were precedents the George Washington set during his presidency? Select 2 that apply
a. he established a judicial system of nine justices that is still in place today
b. he chose well-known leaders to run his executive departments and serve as his advisors
c. he established a Tax and Tariff cabinet position
d. he chose to not run for a third term
b. he chose well-known leaders to run his executive departments and serve as his advisors
d. he chose to not run for a third term
The precedents that George Washington set during his presidency were:
1. d. He chose to not run for a third term: George Washington established the precedent of serving only two terms as President, setting the standard for future presidents to follow. This tradition lasted until the 22nd Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1951, which officially limited presidents to two terms.
2. b. He chose well-known leaders to run his executive departments and serve as his advisors: George Washington selected prominent individuals, such as Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, to serve in his cabinet and provide guidance and expertise in their respective areas. This practice of appointing qualified and knowledgeable individuals to executive positions became a precedent for future presidents.
To determine which of the following were precedents set by George Washington during his presidency, we need to understand the meaning of the term "precedent" and then analyze each option.
A precedent is an action or decision that serves as an example or guide for future events or situations. It implies that the action or decision set a standard or influenced subsequent actions in a particular field or context.
Let's analyze each option:
a. He established a judicial system of nine justices that is still in place today.
This option refers to the establishment of the Supreme Court with nine justices. To verify if this was a precedent set by George Washington, we can check if the establishment of the Supreme Court with nine justices occurred during his presidency. Washington was the first president of the United States and served from 1789 to 1797. He signed the Judiciary Act of 1789, which established the federal court system, including the creation of the Supreme Court with six justices. Therefore, option a is incorrect as it did not set a precedent for nine justices.
b. He chose well-known leaders to run his executive departments and serve as his advisors.
This option suggests that George Washington appointed well-known leaders to his executive departments and as his advisors. To determine if this was a precedent, we should investigate if Washington's choice of well-known leaders influenced future presidents' practices. During his presidency, Washington indeed appointed well-known figures such as Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State and Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury. This practice of selecting renowned leaders has continued throughout subsequent presidencies. Therefore, option b is correct as it set a precedent.
c. He established a Tax and Tariff cabinet position.
This option implies that George Washington established a specific cabinet position for taxes and tariffs. To verify if this was a precedent, we need to examine if such a cabinet position was indeed established and whether it had long-lasting effects. However, there is no historical evidence or records supporting the establishment of a Tax and Tariff cabinet position during Washington's presidency. Therefore, option c is incorrect as it did not set a precedent.
d. He chose to not run for a third term.
This option mentions George Washington's choice to not run for a third term as president. To determine if this was a precedent, we can investigate if Washington's decision influenced future presidents' term limits. Washington voluntarily stepped down after serving two terms, setting the standard for presidential term limits. This precedent continued until the ratification of the 22nd Amendment in 1951, which officially limited presidents to two terms. Therefore, option d is correct as it set a precedent.
In summary, the precedents set by George Washington during his presidency are:
- He chose well-known leaders to run his executive departments and serve as his advisors.
- He chose to not run for a third term.
Therefore, options b and d apply.