The US Presidents Before George Washington.

George Washington was not the first President of the United States. Even though he is denoted as being the first president that the nation ever had. Yet, nearly a decade existed, where multiple presidents were elected in the nation, and they played a somewhat major role, in the early formation and stability of the newly independent nation.

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The first president of the United States under the Articles of Confederation was John Hanson from Maryland in 1781, who attempted to resign immediately after being elected. However, the articles didn't establish a way to nominate a successor, so he was sort of forced to stay on as president. Hanson was the Maryland's delegate to the congress and had been known for his role in financing the war in western Maryland, and was appointed to many financial positions. Maryland was reluctant to pass the articles of Confederation during this time, the main hold-up being, that many states had claims to land west of the Appalachian Mountains. As Maryland lacked any claims, they refused to sign on until the other states dropped their claims which the other states finally did, some stating that Hanson played a critical role in the compromise. Hanson being the individual to sign onto the articles, as Maryland's delegate. Being the country’s first full-term president under the Articles of Confederation meant that he oversaw programs that helped to establish daily life in the new country. For instance, Hanson held the position of president when the government started on the road to creating what would become the U.S. Post Office and the National Bank. The government also established a single, uniform currency throughout the states under his rather powerless watch. His administration also introduced the Treasury Department, the first Secretary of War, and the first Foreign Affairs Department. He led the fight to guarantee the statehood of the Western Territories beyond the Appalachian Mountains land that some of the original states owned. Following his tenure as president, Hanson died the following year in Prince George County, at the age of 62.

Elias Boudinot of New Jersey became the second president. He was originally a very successful lawyer prior to and during the Revolution. He played a huge in promoting enlistment in the area and loaning money to various commanders to be able to afford supplies that they despresetly needed. He also was a major figure in the in building up a spy network when the British occupied New York City. Later being a commissar for prisoners under General Washington's command. After being a New Jersery delegate to the National congress, he was appointed as President in 1782. His presidency coincided with the official end to the American Revolutionary War. Boudinot presided over the country when the Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783. However, the Treaty of Paris did more than simply end the war; it required that the United States be recognized as an independent country and no longer a part of the British Empire. Besides being president, Boudinot was also noteworthy for his era for advocating for the rights of both Native Americans and the black populace, as well as directly sponsoring various youth among these groups so that they could receive an education. When the US government was formed in 1789, Boudinot was elected to one of New Jersey's House of Representatives seats, A position that he'd hold until 1795, where he was appointed as Master of the Mint by George Washington.