Most important precedent set by George Washington

[hzn5pk]

What is the most important precedent set by George Washington as first POTUS?

Was it only serving two terms?
Was it retiring from national politics after his second term?
Was it the peaceful transition to the second POTUS under Adams?

Or is it something else?

 

[TimTurner]

None of the above - it was him giving up his military job after the war ended.

 

[SeaCambrian]

All of the above, and also Washington's attempt to avoid political partisanship and remain impartial between the Democratic-Republican and Federalist camps. (Although this precedent would be crushed and forgotten, it was nonetheless important at the time in uniting the country),

 

[hzn5pk]

Ahh yes, I forgot about retiring as a general after The Peace of Paris. The fact that although he was the most powerful man in the young country, he gave that power back to Congress, (Confederation Congress)

 

[Clandango]

Ahh yes, I forgot about retiring as a general after The Peace of Paris. The fact that although he was the most powerful man in the young country, he gave that power back to Congress, (Confederation Congress)

To be fair, the army was going to disband anyways. And he DID want to go home to his mansion.

 

[highwayhoss]

Washington's greatest precedent was his willingness to give up power and make a peaceful transfer of power to his successors. This was unprecedented at the time: Napoleon for example reacted with disbelief.

 

[Anaxagoras]

To be fair, the army was going to disband anyways.

Not until it was guaranteed its pay.

And he DID want to go home to his mansion.

Yes, that's exactly the point. He could have taken power, but he decided he didn't want it and went home. Marius and Sulla, Pompey and Caesar, Cromwell and Napoleon didn't have their strength of character.

Washington did.