The Return of George Washington: Uniting the States, 1783–1789

After leading the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War, George Washington retired in December 1783, returning to private life at Mount Vernon. However, as Washington managed his estate, the young American republic struggled. Under the Articles of Confederation, the weak central government could not raise revenue to pay debts or establish national policy, and the states grew increasingly divided. When a Constitutional Convention was called to address these problems, its prospects were uncertain. Jefferson, Madison, and other Founding Fathers recognized that only Washington could unite the fractious states. Though reluctant, Washington felt duty-bound and traveled to Philadelphia in summer 1787 to preside over the Convention. Historian Edward J. Larson examines Washington's overlooked but vital role in shaping the Convention. Larson argues that it was Washington's support and his agreement to serve as President that enabled the states to unite and ratify the Constitution, preserving the nation.