Who ran the United States before George Washington became president?

Question

The United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776. George Washington didn't become president until 1789.

Who (or what) ran the country during those years?

Answer 1

Continental Congress did. There were several presidents of Continental Congress.

Peyton Randolph of Virginia (1723-1775)
Henry Middleton (1717-1784)
John Hancock (1737-1793) was the one that signed the Declaration of Independence.

Henry Laurens (1724-1792)
John Jay (1745-1829)
Samuel Huntington (1732-1796)
Nathaniel Gorham (1738-1796)
Arthur St. Clair (1734-1818)
Cyrus Griffin (1736-1796)

Answer 2

Was the First President of the United States! 1781-1782 A.D.??? George Washington was really the 8th President of the United States! George Washington was not the first President of the United States. In fact, the first President of the United States was one John Hanson. Don't go checking the encyclopedia for this guy's name - he is one of those great men that are lost to history. If you're extremely lucky, you may actually find a brief mention of his name. The new country was actually formed on March 1, 1781 with the adoption of The Articles of Confederation. This document was actually proposed on June 11, 1776, but not agreed upon by Congress until November 15, 1777. Maryland refused to sign this document until Virginia and New York ceded their western lands (Maryland was afraid that these states would gain too much power in the new government from such large amounts of land). Once the signing took place in 1781, a President was needed to run the country. John Hanson was chosen unanimously by Congress (which included George Washington). In fact, all the other potential candidates refused to run against him, as he was a major player in the revolution and an extremely influential member of Congress. 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 just as the Revolutionary War ended. Almost immediately, the troops demanded to be paid. As would be expected after any long war, there were no funds to meet the salaries. As a result, the soldiers threatened to overthrow the new government and put Washington on the throne as a monarch. All the members of Congress ran for their lives, leaving Hanson as the only guy left running the government. He somehow managed to calm the troops down and hold the country together. If he had failed, the government would have fallen almost immediately and everyone would have been bowing to King Washington. In fact, Hanson sent 800 pounds of sterl ing silver by his brother Samuel Hanson to George Washington to provide the troops with shoes. Hanson, as President, ordered all foreign troops off American soil, as well as the removal of all foreign flags. This was quite the feat, considering the fact that so many European countries had a stake in the United States since the days following Columbus. A "Black" Man, A Moor, John Hanson

Answer 3

Monuments and memorials, modern neighbourhoods, correct local flavour this is what Washington, DC is; a spot unlike any; exactly like this web site hotelbye . Washington it's your home away from home with free museums and America's front yard. Washington is recognized all over the world as a symbol of the United States. Here, the spot you cannot skip is the Capitol. Capitol may be the seat of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The enormous dome, based on the dome of St. Peter's in Rome, sticks out most importantly different Washington buildings. Like Washington it self, the developing has developed over time because the key section was created between 1793 and 1812. The final supplement, in 1958-62, increased the key façade where presidents take the oath. On another area, a marble terrace presents lovely opinions over the mall and the city. The inner is resplendent with frescoes, reliefs, and paintings, specially the rotunda underneath the good cast-iron dome with a roof painting by Constantino Brumidi and big paintings of moments from American record on the walls.

Answer 4

1

Answer 5

John Hanson, American Patriot 1715-1783. He was elected as President of the United States in the year 1781.

Answer 6

Although we declared our independence in 1776, we actually didn't win it until 1783. During the last few years of war, the Articles of Confederation was drafted, and it was the nation's first attempt at a republic government. It didn't last very long though, political leaders thought it was too weak to solve the nation's economic and social problems, or set America's course for the future.

On Sept. 17th, 1787, the 'new' American constitution was agreed upon and signed by the delegates who drafted it (they started in June of that year). From that time until 1789, the group of people for this new constitution (called the federalists) rallied to have the states vote in favor of it, while the antifederalists (not for this new constitution) rallied against it. In the end, the federalists won and Washington became the first president.

There's a lot more to it then that of course, I just summed it up as best as I could.

Answer 7

they had kings before presidents

Answer 8

Contental Congress During the Revolution
Then the Articles of Confederation were passed. This established a national Congress. Congress had little power and the presiding officer, who was in now a president or had presidentail powers. During the AofC the individual states had the most power and there was not really a national governement capable of running the country.

Edit-The Federalist Papers were drafted to get people to ratify the constitution.

Answer 9

There was a congress under the Articles of Confederation but it had little power. The presiding officer of congress was just a presiding officer. Congress had the power such as it was.

Answer 10

Although the colonies largely governed themselves and firmly established the representative institutions allowed by their charters, England officially ruled the colonies until the Declaration of Independence and, subsequent, defeat of the British during the American Revolution (the United States, had, adopted the Continental Congress, however, England still had power over the fledgling colonies).

Also, scroll down to "English Imperial Policy" located at http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_1741502191_3/History_of_Colonial_America.html

Additional reading, see: Government in "Early America and the Colonial Period"
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/eras.html

Answer 11

This is an answer that can go on, and on, and on. The best answer that I can provide for this environment is that the Continental Congress was the ruling body at the time. To put that into this general term is not to do the situation justice AT ALL. How in depth of an answer were you looking for? Elaborate and I will edit this answer.