What are four major issues and events that George Washington made during his presidency?

There were several major issues and events during George Washington’s presidency. One of them was developing a plan to pay the national debt. In order for other countries to have faith in our financial system, we needed to repay our debts. Alexander Hamilton, the Secretary of the Treasury, developed a plan that had some controversy. The government would combine the state and national debt. This angered states that had already paid their debts. The government also redeemed old Revolutionary War bonds at face value. This benefited northern speculators and hurt those who sold their bonds at much less than face value. A compromise was reached to pass the plan. Our capital would move to the South to Washington, D.C. from New York City.

Another issue was dealing with Great Britain. They were interfering with our trade and wouldn’t leave the Ohio Valley. As a result of Jay’s Treaty, these issues were resolved through diplomacy. The British agreed to let us trade in the West Indies. They also agreed to leave the Ohio Valley.

Spain was also causing problems for us. They wouldn’t let us use the Mississippi River. They also wouldn’t let us store goods at New Orleans. Using the Mississippi River and storing goods at New Orleans were critical to the success of western farmers. Washington again used diplomacy to solve these issues. Pinckney’s Treaty was signed that allowed us to use the Mississippi River and store goods at New Orleans. This treaty also established the boundary with Florida.

A fourth issue was dealing with Native American attacks. The Native Americans weren’t happy with our expansion onto their lands. As a result of these attacks, Anthony Wayne led our soldiers at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. We defeated the Native Americans and signed the Treaty of Greenville. As a result of this treaty, the Native Americans moved west.

With a country as young as our country was, President Washington had to deal with several issues. His skillful leadership was on display as he handled these issues successfully.