Final answer:
President Washington managed the central government's authority by establishing a powerful presidency, creating a cabinet with influential advisors, and issuing a neutrality proclamation to affirm his role in foreign affairs.
Step-by-step explanation:
How President Washington Managed Central Government Authority
President George Washington played a pivotal role in defining the authority of the central government. He managed the issue of central government authority by establishing a strong presidency and setting precedents that would be followed by his successors. One significant step he took was the creation of a cabinet, which included appointed officers such as Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton to serve as his advisors. This helped in forming the executive branch of the government. Washington also fought to maintain the president's right to remove cabinet officers, which was a contested issue during the debate over the creation of executive departments in 1789.
Moreover, Washington issued a neutrality proclamation in 1793, affirming his role as diplomat-in-chief and extending his rights in foreign affairs beyond what was initially conceived. Through actions like these, Washington sought to establish a balance, ensuring accountability and diligence in governance while creating a sense of robust leadership and nationhood.
Additionally, Washington's choice of cabinet members and his direction to them to "deliberate maturely, but to execute promptly" demonstrates his hands-on approach to laying the groundwork for a strong executive branch. These measures contributed to a long-lasting vision of a federal government with a powerful and respected presidency.