Introduction

The election of the very first president of the United States, George Washington, remains a fascinating and pivotal moment in American history. Understanding the complexities of the electoral process and the background of the Constitution’s development provides insight into how Washington was chosen and the evolution of the system over time.

The Early Years and the Electoral Process

To comprehend how George Washington became the first president, we must delve into the context of the early American colonies and the drafting of the Constitution. At the time, the United States was a newly formed nation, and the process of electing a president was far from ideal.

Through the Electoral College

The original Constitution established the electoral college, which was designed to elect the president. Each elector was given two votes for president, leading to an interesting voting scenario for the election of George Washington in 1788 and 1792.

The convention of 1787 unanimously chose Washington as a symbol of unity and strength. He had served as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and had a significant influence in the ratification of the Constitution.

Each presidential elector gave George Washington one of their two votes. This ensured his unanimous election as president, establishing him as the very first leader of the United States.

The second-place candidate, John Adams, became the first vice president, as per the rules of the time.

Technicalities and Unintended Outcomes

It is important to note that the electoral process was not without its glitches. The 1796 and 1800 elections revealed significant flaws in the system, particularly in the election of the vice president. These issues eventually led to the adoption of the 12th Amendment.

The 12th Amendment: A Fix for the Ineffectual Mechanism

The 12th Amendment, passed in 1804, changed the voting process by requiring electors to cast one vote for president and one for vice president. This major change addressed the issues that arose during the 1800 election, where the Democratic-Republican Party inadvertently nominated both Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr for president and vice president, respectively.

The key flaw was that the electors did not withhold one vote, resulting in a tie between Jefferson and Burr. This led to a constitutional crisis, as the House of Representatives had to decide between the two, leading to a long and contentious process.

Under the new system, Washington still received 69 votes, but these were all for president. The number of votes for vice president was also correctly determined for each elector.

Washington’s Unanimous Election and its Aftermath

Washington's election was a clear victory by design. Technically, one vote was actually cast against him to prevent the idea that a president could be compared to a king. However, this did not change the fact that he was elected unanimously by the Electoral College.

Because of the unique nature of the electoral system at the time, Washington was the only president elected unanimously. He was also the only one who faced no dissent from among the electors. The subsequent election of John Adams as vice president underlines the effectiveness of the system for that first time.

The Quest for a Second Term

By the time of his second term, Washington had faced some criticism. However, he decided to stand for a third term. Had he chosen to run, it is conceivable that he might have received fewer than 69 votes, as the public sentiment was starting to wane. Washington’s chosen path was to retire to Mount Vernon, both as a winner and to leave a legacy of leadership that would guide the nation into a new era.

Conclusion

The election of George Washington as the first president of the United States was a defining moment in American history, marked by the intricacies of the electoral process and the evolving nature of the Constitution. From the original design through the amendments, the system has changed and improved, ensuring that the process of electing a president remains fair and representative of the will of the people.