Transcript Our First President, John Hanson

Our First President, John
Hanson
1715 - 1783
Karen Jacobs
Morgan Road Middle School
3635 Hiers Blvd.
Hephzibah, GA 30815
What are the qualifications of
becoming the president?
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Must be a citizen of the United States by
birth
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At least 35 years old
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Resident of the United States for 14 years
What are the roles of the
president?
Chief Executive
Chief Diplomat
Commander of Chief
Chief of State
Legislative Leader
Chief Executive
As chief executive the
president is
responsible for
carrying out the
nation’s laws.
Chief Diplomat
As chief diplomat, the
president directs
foreign policy,
appoints
ambassadors, and
negotiates treaties
with other nations.
Commander in Chief
As commander in
chief of the armed
forces, the president
can use the military
to intervene or offer
assistance in crises at
home and around the
world. He cannot
declare war;Congress
holds this power.
Chief of the State
As chief of the state, the
president serves a
symbolic role as the
representative of all
Americans. He fulfills this
role when receiving
foreign ambassadors or
heads of state, visiting
foreign nations, or
bestowing honors on
Americans.
Legislative Leader
The president serves
as a legislative leader
by proposing laws to
Congress and working
to see that they are
passed. In the annual
State of the Union
address, the president
presents goals for
legislation.
Who was John Hanson?
John Hanson was born in
Maryland. He displayed energy
and decisive patriotism at the
commencement of the
Revolutionary war. He was
elected a delegate to Congress,
and while a member of that
body his reputation for practical
ability steadily rose. In 1781,
Mr. Hanson was elected
president of Congress, and he
continued to hold that office
until 1783, when death
removed him from the scene of
his patriotic services
What was his personal life like?
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He was named after
his grandfather who
came from England.
His parents owned a
farm.
He had no formal
education while
growing up.
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He followed the family
tradition as a planter.
He married Jane
Contee in 1744.
He died at his
nephew’s plantation
at Oxon Hill in Prince
George’s County, MD.
Political Career
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Represented Charles
County in the colonial
assembly in 1757
Served several
positions in local
government
Gained a reputation
as an out spoken
supporter of moves
towards revolution
Political Career continues…
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His speeches
contributed to
Maryland’s decision to
support rebels
engaged in the Siege
of Boston
December 1779
House of Delegates
named as one of the
delegates of the
Continental Congress
Political career continues…
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June 14, 1781 took
his seat in
Philadelphia
Articles of
Confederation were
ratified by all states
March 1, 1781 joined
Daniel Carroll in
endorsing Maryland
John Hanson the President
As the first president, Hanson had quite the
shoes to fill. No one had ever been president
and the role was poorly defined. His actions in
office would set precedent for all future
Presidents. He took office as the revolutionary
war ended.Almost immediately, the troops
demanded to be paid. There were no funds, as a
result the soldiers threatened to overthrow the
new government and put Washington on the
throne as a monarch.
His presidency continues…
All the members of the Congress ran for their
lives. He managed to calm the troops and hold
the country together.
He later ordered all foreign troops off American
soil, as well as the removal of all foreign flags.
This was quiet a feat, considering the fact that
many European countries had a stake in the
United States since the days of Columbus.
John Hanson
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He later established the first Treasury
department, the first Secretary of War, and the
first Foreign Affairs Department.
He declared that the fourth Thursday of every
November to be Thanksgiving Day.
The Articles of Confederation allowed a
President to serve a one-year term during a
three year period.
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He served from November 5, 1781 – November
3, 1782.
First President to serve a full term after the full
ratification of the Articles of Confederation.
Remained a confirmed anti-federalist until his
death.
Remember- six other presidents
were elected after him…
Elias Boudinot (1783)
Nathan Gorman(1786)
Thomas Mifflin(1784)
Arthur St. Clair (1787)
Richard H. Lee (1785)
Cyrus Griffin (1788)
Why don’t we ever hear
about the first seven
Presidents of the United
States?
It’s quite simple! The Articles of
Confederation didn’t work well. The
individual states had too much power
and nothing could be agreed upon.A
new doctrine needed to be written –
something we know as the
CONSTITUTION.
In conclusion..
George Washington was definitely not the
first President of the United States. He
was the first President if the United States
under the Constitution we follow today.
And the first seven Presidents are
forgotten in history.