George Washington had no biological children. If he had a son to pass the "kingship" on to, do you think he would have stepped down from the presidency? Or do you think America would be ruled by a king named Washington?
2007-08-17 04:27:51 · 8 answers · asked by beth l 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Very interesting question.
And to tell the truth, I'm not sure. I would like to imagine he would have stepped down anyway, that is certainly what the George Washington who has been immortalized would have done, but with a son to pass a crown down to, it would have been mighty tempting....
2007-08-17 04:36:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the colonies wanted a ruling dynasty. The framers of the Constitution were devoted to democratic principles among free men, and the King of America sounds a bit undemocratic. I believe the push for Washington to remain in office wasn't so much a push to make him king (this was perhaps only a novel idea among many), but to keep him in office as there were no other unpolarizing leaders amongst the founding fathers to be found. President Washington, devoted to the principles of the time and the Rights of Man, was never in a comfortable position as president in the first place and spent a good deal of his time in his happy place of Mount Vernon - I doubt the presidency or kingship was an office he would have coveted for a son to eventually take over, and he really wasn't in a position to proclaim it as such.
2007-08-17 11:54:58 · answer #2 · answered by NYisontop 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't forget that George Washington was initially offered kingship which he refused.
So if George Wash had a kid, there would have been no problem in the transference of power in an elected system.
2007-08-17 11:35:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
President did step down.
There was no rule to stop him from continue to run for president and if he did he could have held the Presidency for as long as he wished. He decided that two terms was enough for anyone.
Yes, he did refuse the kingship when offered.
2007-08-17 20:27:43 · answer #4 · answered by Randy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not at all. Washington was a man of high moral values and wanted only what was best for the burgeoning America. He believed that a monarchy was not the best way to govern a body of people, and did not view favorable upon them. His attitude would have been unchanged by any personal cicrumstances.
2007-08-17 12:58:30 · answer #5 · answered by mth83vt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What Washington wanted most in life was to stay home and run his own affairs. He did not like being commander, or commander in chief... too much work, worry, and problems.
He served out of a sense of duty, not desire to be top dog.
2007-08-17 16:02:42 · answer #6 · answered by glenn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think having an heir would have made any difference. Washington was a reluctant leader and couldn't wait to retire to his farm.
2007-08-17 12:43:04 · answer #7 · answered by staisil 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that wouldn't have made a difference, he had NOTHING to gain by stepping down.
2007-08-17 12:05:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋