Unveiling the President Who Preceded George Washington- A Look Back at the First Commander in Chief

Who was the first president before George Washington? This is a question that often comes up in discussions about the early history of the United States. The answer to this question is not as straightforward as one might think, as the United States did not have a president in the modern sense until after the nation’s independence was achieved.

Before George Washington became the first President of the United States, the country was governed by a different system. In 1776, when the United States declared its independence from Great Britain, the Continental Congress was formed to act as the central governing body. The Continental Congress was not a president, but rather a legislative assembly that consisted of delegates from the 13 original colonies.

During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress held significant power, but it was not a single executive position. Instead, the Congress was responsible for making decisions on matters of war, peace, and foreign relations. It was also tasked with overseeing the administration of the country’s finances and military affairs. While the Congress had a chairperson, this role was more of a presiding officer than a president.

One might assume that John Hancock, who signed the Declaration of Independence, would have been the first president before George Washington. However, Hancock was not an executive leader; he was the President of the Continental Congress. The position of President of the Continental Congress was a temporary one, and Hancock served in that role from 1775 to 1777.

It was not until the drafting of the United States Constitution in 1787 that the concept of a president as the head of the executive branch was introduced. The Constitution created the office of the President of the United States, and George Washington was elected as the first president in 1789. Washington’s presidency laid the foundation for the role of the president in the modern American political system.

In conclusion, the first president before George Washington was not a president in the traditional sense. The United States was governed by the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War, with John Hancock serving as its President. It was only with the ratification of the Constitution and the subsequent election of George Washington that the office of the President of the United States was established.