Which of the following were precedents that George Washington set during his presidency? Select all that apply.
(1 point)
• He established a judicial system of nine justices that is still in place today.
• He chose well-known leaders to run his executive departments and serve as his advisors.
© He established a Tax and Tariff cabinet position.
© He chose to not run for a third term
• He chose well-known leaders to run his executive departments and serve as his advisors.
• He chose to not run for a third term
The precedents set by George Washington during his presidency include:
- He chose well-known leaders to run his executive departments and serve as his advisors.
- He chose not to run for a third term as president.
To determine which of the following options were precedents set by George Washington during his presidency, we can consider each option and its historical context:
1. He established a judicial system of nine justices that is still in place today.
Explanation: This statement is true. George Washington signed the Judiciary Act of 1789, which established the federal court system and the Supreme Court with six justices (later increased to nine). This decision created the foundation for the current judicial system.
2. He chose well-known leaders to run his executive departments and serve as his advisors.
Explanation: This statement is true. Washington appointed experienced and respected individuals such as Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State and Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury. By doing so, he set the precedent of selecting knowledgeable and capable leaders to manage executive departments.
3. He established a Tax and Tariff cabinet position.
Explanation: This statement is false. George Washington did not create a specific cabinet position solely dedicated to taxes and tariffs. However, he did appoint Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury, who played a significant role in developing the nation's financial system and implementing tax and tariff policies.
4. He chose not to run for a third term.
Explanation: This statement is true. George Washington voluntarily stepped down after serving two terms as President, setting the precedent of a maximum two-term limit for future presidents. This tradition continued until Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was elected for four terms but prompted the ratification of the 22nd Amendment, which limited future presidents to two terms.
Based on this analysis, the precedents set by George Washington during his presidency are as follows:
- He established a judicial system of nine justices that is still in place today.
- He chose well-known leaders to run his executive departments and serve as his advisors.
- He chose not to run for a third term.