Posted on 03/08/2012 4:14:11 PM PST by gorush
John Hanson Story
John Hanson (1721-1783)
When we think of the President of the United States, many people do not realize that we are actually referring to presidents elected under the U.S. Constitution. Everybody knows that the first president in that sense was George Washington. But in fact the Articles of Confederation, the predecessor to the Constitution, also called for a president albeit one with greatly diminished powers. Eight men were appointed to serve one-year terms as president under the Articles of Confederation. The first was John Hanson, in 1781. His exact title was the President of the United States in Congress Assembled.
The Articles of Confederation did not specifically define the powers of the President, and so under John Hansons leadership various departments of the government were formed. He alone had the authority to correspond and negotiate with foreign governments. During his one year in office, he approved the Great Seal of the United States that is still used today and helped establish the first U.S. Treasury Department. He led the flight to guarantee the statehood of the Western Territories beyond the Appalachian Mountains that had been controlled by some of the original thirteen colonies.
Upon his death on November 21, 1783, the following eulogy appeared in the Maryland Gazette:
Thus was ended the career of one of Americas greatest statesmen. While hitherto practically unknown to our people, and this is true as to nearly all the generations that have lived since his day, his great handiwork, the nation which he helped to establish, remains as a fitting tribute to his memory. It is doubtful if there has ever lived on this side of the Atlantic, a nobler character or shrewder statesman. One would search in vain to find a more powerful personage, or a more aggressive leader, in the annals of American history. and it is extremely doubtful if there has ever lived in an age since the advent of civilization, a man with a keener grasp of, or a deeper insight into, such democratic ideals as are essential to the promotion of personal liberty and the extension of human happiness. He was firm in his opinion that the people of America were capable of ruling themselves without the aid of a king.
East of the Rocky Mountains, we would be speaking German. To the west, Japaneese, because that was the Axis plan, and no “country” under the Articles of Confederation would have won WWI.
Correction:
East of the Rocky Mountains, we would be speaking German. To the west, Japaneese, because that was the Axis plan, and no “country” under the Articles of Confederation would have won WWII . (WW 2)
Possibly. So we have delayed our demise?
By “possibly” I mean possibly...not to imply that I accept your hypothesis.
But under the Articles we probably would not have entered WWI, which may have, in effect, averted WWII. (Fun conjecture!)
Regardless, no national government would have left itself as small as the Articles envisioned.
Without US intervention in WWI there probably would not have been a WWII.
Here is a riddle on this same line; How many times was George Washington elected President?
As far as speculation goes about US History, a fun read is L.Neil Smith’s “Probability Broach” and subsequent novels. As much a reaction to President Carter’s malaise and doom as a libertarian utopian vision. Ah, those evil Hamiltonians!
I used to hate Hamilton. I still do. :{)
****The first was John Hanson, in 1781. His exact title was the President of the United States in Congress Assembled.***
I did a report in High School (1963 or 1964) on John Hanson as the First President of the US.
I also did a report on Emperor Norton, Emperor of the US at the same time.
So tell me about” Emperor Norton, Emperor of the US at the same time.”
***Without US intervention in WWI there probably would not have been a WWII.***
It is hard to believe today that Wall Street investors were advocating Americans invest in IMPERIAL GERMAN WAR BONDS up until 1917. Lots of American investors lost their life savings when the US declared WAR on Germany.
It is also hard to believe that the US Federal Reserve chairman’s brother was chairman of the Imperial German central Bank at the same time.
So tell me about Emperor Norton, Emperor of the US at the same time.
When I wrote “at the same” time I meant I did the report on both at the same time.
I give you the EMPEROR NORTON! Emperor of the US and Protector of Mexico!
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist1/norton.html
When Winfield Scott marched our troops from Vera Cruz to Mexico City in 1847 the Mexicans offered him the dictatorship of Mexico. President Polk expanded the US to it's present contiguous borders.
LOL
Or without those darned Amish agitators.
LOL
little California lore. Very colorful fellow and IIR he had a huge showing at his funeral.
I know...the Amish just seem to create trouble wherever they go.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.