GEORGE WASHINGTON'S CALCULATED RISK
By: Dale Van Every
Precis
1.) The critical and complex problems facing George Washington as he became the first president in 1789, were said to be among the most challenging issues until Lincoln’s presidency.
2-3.) The sudden broadening of Washington’s national responsibilities created his cold war, as during the revolution, American settlers had crossed the mountains into savage lands, and New England had offered the American commissioners to cede the West to the United States.
4-5.) The task of claiming the uncultivated lands to the West was daunting, as the geography posed countless problems, and the powerful Native Indians would never willingly allow it.
6.) Although the colonists had managed to protect themselves from harm, foreign policy was always the first to be calculated, dealing with England, France and Spain.
7-8.) Powerful foreign claim to land included the refusal of the British to give up lan d, as well as the Spanish hold over two-thirds of the West, with the eager support of the French.
9-10.) More threatening problems still, erupted among the colonial settlers themselves, as determined Western settlers demanded isolation and independence, while the more articulate easterners disagreed with many of Washington’s policies.
11.) Washington began dealing cautiously with the pending issues, checking Westerners by allowing them to hold esteemed Federal positions.
12-13.) While addressing a Westerner complaint against the continuing Indian Wars, Washington ran the risk of swearing poorly prepared troops into the Federal service, to rise up against the allies of England.
14.) Conflict between Spain and England regarding the rights to the land of the Mississippi Valley nearly cost a world war, while companies were eager to make deals and business propositions.
15.) Because the issue of the Mississippi territory was surrounded in controversy with differing opinions of Hamilton and Jefferson, Washington finally decided to proceed with the expedition with greatest care.
16-17.) The danger of general war had passed by the fall of 1790, as France had abandoned its former ally Spain, O'Fallon dropped his threat to take Natchez, and Harmar withdrew hastily to the Ohio River.
18.) Immediate repercussions followed, striking an increase in Indian demands and aggression, as well as deep American Patriotism.
19.) Although new leadership drove the Federal troops towards utter failure, the natural winter prohibited the Indians from avenging their injuries.
20-21.) After Washington persuaded Congress to raise a new regiment under Wayne, and four separate attempts, they found no success in appeasing the Indians.
22-23.) The west expressed new contempt for central government, while Wayne began organizing his own legion, and Washington tried in vain to make peace with the Indians.
24-25.) Problems within Washington’s western policies were only aggravated as the cold war dragged on through another winter, and revolutionary France was at war with every other European power.
26-27.) Despite the announcement to the Indians that England would support the Indians’ claim for land, English influence was no longer an issue in this matter and Wayne was ordered to march.
28-29.) Wayne’s careful plan succeed in The Battle of Fallen Timbers on August 20, 1794, as Indians fled to the protection of their English patrons in Fort Miami and England’s bluff had been called.
30.) Due to the nature and degree of Wayne’s and Washington’s success, there was never again such a significant Indian war under the United States of America.
