Washington's Struggle to Maintain Non-Partisanship in His Cabinet During the French Revolution
When George Washington assumed the presidency of the United States in 1789, he was determined to maintain a nonpartisan, non-partisan approach to governance. Washington’s cabinet itself was composed of members from various backgrounds and philosophies, and he sought to ensure that each of his cabinet members had a voice in the decision-making process.
However, by 1793, it had become clear that Washington’s cabinet was divided on the issue of foreign policy, particularly in regards to the French Revolution. On one side, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton supported the French Revolution, while Secretary of War Henry Knox and Attorney General Edmund Randolph were more cautious and sought to remain neutral.
Washington's Choice and Its Impact
This disagreement eventually led to the formation of two distinct political factions: the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. The Federalists, led by Hamilton, favored a strong centralized government and a strong banking system, while the Democratic-Republicans, led by Jefferson, favored a decentralized government and a strong emphasis on states’ rights.
While Washington himself was not a member of either party, he was forced to choose one side or the other in order to maintain the unity of his cabinet. Ultimately, Washington decided to side with the Federalists, believing that their policies would lead to a stronger economy. He also believed that Jefferson’s views were too extreme and that the Democratic-Republican policies would lead to internal conflict.
Washington’s decision to side with the Federalists caused a rift in the cabinet and eventually led to the formation of the first two political parties in the United States. While Washington was initially opposed to the idea of political parties, he eventually recognized their importance in representing the various interests of the American people.
Summary
If Washington had to pick a party, he would have selected the Federalists. As mentioned, Washington believed that their policies would lead to a stronger economy, and he was wary of Jefferson’s more extreme views. Additionally, Washington was a strong advocate of a centralized government and the Federalists shared this view. Therefore, he would have been more likely to side with the Federalists over the Democratic-Republicans.