George Washington’s vision for American identity tested 250 years later

America at a Crossroads: Examining American Identity Through the Lens of George Washington

Key Concepts:

• American Identity: The evolving understanding of what it means to be an American, from the founding era to the present day.
• Founding Fathers & Compromises: The complex and often contradictory beliefs and actions of the individuals who established the United States.
• Constitutional Convention & Ratification: The process of creating and adopting the U.S. Constitution, and the debates surrounding a strong central government.
• Precedent & Norms: The importance of establishing guiding principles for future governance, particularly through the actions of George Washington.
• Partisanship & Division: The historical and contemporary challenges of political polarization and its impact on national unity.
• Evolving Republic: The idea that the American experiment is ongoing and requires continuous adaptation and improvement.

The Early Seeds of American Identity: Washington’s Discontent

The segment begins by exploring the origins of American identity through the experiences of George Washington. Historian Lindsay Chervinsky highlights a letter written by the 25-year-old Washington during the French and Indian War. This “smoking gun letter” reveals Washington’s frustration with the British system, specifically the denial of royal commissions to Virginia officers based on merit. Washington realized he wouldn’t be able to advance based on his own abilities within the British structure, foreshadowing his eventual support for independence. This early experience underscores a core element of American identity: the opportunity for advancement based on individual merit, rather than inherited status.

Defining “American”: Diverse Perspectives

Judy Woodruff and the PBS News Hour team gathered perspectives from everyday Americans across the country on what it means to be American. These viewpoints reveal a diverse range of interpretations:

• Emily Chaffin (Arizona): The ability to pursue “life, liberty and happiness unimpeded.”
• Richard Watkins (Tennessee): Belief in the ideals established at the nation’s founding.
• Jen Thissen (Minnesota): Active citizenship requiring learning, understanding, and participation.
• Kathleen Sinclair Cannuli (California): Tolerance and coexistence with diverse viewpoints.
• Iain Burnett (North Carolina): Recognition of the nation’s immigrant origins.
• Tonya Baxter (Texas): The perception of the U.S. as a land of opportunity.

Chervinsky emphasizes that there has never been a single, definitive answer to the question of what constitutes an American, noting that from the beginning, many groups – people of color, women, Native Americans – were excluded from full participation.

The Constitutional Convention & The Need for a Stronger Union

Following the Revolutionary War, the nascent nation struggled under the Articles of Confederation. Washington, recognizing the weakness of this system, became a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The prevailing view was the need for a strong central government, capable of effectively governing the newly independent states. Washington and other military leaders understood the failures of Congress to adequately fund the army, reinforcing their belief in a more “energetic executive” and a stronger national government.

The Constitution itself reflects this shift, with Article II (establishing the presidency) being relatively brief, as it was assumed Washington would define the office through precedent. Chervinsky notes this trust in Washington’s judgment to establish “norms that would be good for the future of the nation.”

Washington’s Contradictions & Evolving Views on Slavery

The segment acknowledges the inherent contradictions within the founding principles. Washington, a wealthy landowner, held over 300 enslaved people at Mount Vernon, despite the Declaration of Independence’s proclamation that “all men are created equal.” However, Chervinsky details a shift in Washington’s thinking on slavery following the Revolution. He began interacting with free Black communities, observing different agricultural practices, and engaging with abolitionists like the Marquis de Lafayette.

Importantly, approximately 30% of the Continental Army was Black, influencing Washington’s perspective. In his will, Washington stipulated the freedom of the enslaved people he controlled upon his wife’s death. While acknowledging this was not a comprehensive solution and did not address his continued participation in the system during his lifetime, Chervinsky highlights the significance of the will as a public statement.

Washington’s Farewell Address & Warnings for the Future

In 1796, Washington delivered his Farewell Address, announcing his decision not to seek a third term. This act established the precedent of peaceful power transition and limited presidential tenure. The address also cautioned against foreign entanglements, regionalism, and, crucially, the dangers of partisanship. Washington wasn’t opposed to political organization per se, but warned against allowing political parties to undermine national unity and citizenship.

This warning resonates strongly today, given the current political polarization. Chervinsky points out that divisions and rancor have been recurring themes throughout American history, and Washington anticipated this ongoing challenge.

Contemporary Divisions & The Ongoing Experiment

Modern polling data reveals a decline in feelings of pride in being American, particularly among Democrats and independents. The segment concludes by emphasizing that the American experiment is ongoing and requires continuous effort to improve. As Jen Thissen stated, it’s “time to evolve.” Washington and the founding fathers expected the Constitution to be adapted and improved upon by future generations.

Chervinsky concludes by stating that forming a nation based on an idea was “revolutionary,” and despite potential cynicism, this foundational principle remains powerful. The series will continue to explore these themes through interviews with Americans across the country, seeking lessons from history to move towards a “more perfect union.”

Technical Terms:

• Articles of Confederation: The first government established by the newly independent United States, characterized by a weak central government and strong state sovereignty.
• Constitutional Convention: The 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where delegates drafted the U.S. Constitution.
• Ratification: The process of formally approving a treaty or constitution.
• Energetic Executive: A strong and decisive leader, as advocated by proponents of a more powerful presidency.
• Precedent: An established practice or legal principle that serves as a guide for future actions.
• Partisanship: Strong loyalty to a particular political party.