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The First Five Presidents

After the Founding Fathers had written the Constitution and the states ratified it, it was time to put it into effect. A president had to be elected, and the government that had been created for the new nation had to be formed. Life was not always easy and there were challenges for the new government, but the new nation found a way to make it work, and it continues to work today.

Four of the five first presidents were from Virginia. John Adams was from Massachusetts. Use the information below to find out about some of the men who shaped a nation.



George Washington **//During George Washington's presidency, the United States changed in many ways. The country experienced change and [|precedents] were set for the new government. //**  [|http://www.pbs.org/wnet/historyofus/web02/segment7.html]http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gw1.html http://www.americanpresidents.org/presidents/gwashington.asp http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/colonial/jb_colonial_banneker_1.html http://library.thinkquest.org/10320/Banneker.htm
 * //What were some of the accomplishments during George Washington's presidency? //**
 * //Benjamin Banneker, an African American, made significant contributions to our country during George Washington's presidency. Find out what he did and why he is important. //**



John Adams **//John Adams's presidency was full of controversy. He struggled with party politics and a divided nation. His vice president, Thomas Jefferson, was a Democratic-Republican who did not agree with Adams's Federalist views. Go to these links to find out more about Adams's years in the White House.

//**       http://www.pbs.org/wnet/historyofus/web02/segment8.html http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/ja2.html http://ap.grolier.com/article?assetid=a2000150-h&templatename=/article/article.html



Thomas Jefferson **//Jefferson's time in office offered great change in the country and was characterized by peace. It was the first time that control of the country changed hands from one group to another. Jefferson accomplished many things that changed the United States forever. //****//http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/tj3.html //**
 * //http://www.pbs.org/wnet/historyofus/web02/segment9.html



James Madison //**
 * //Madison had been Jefferson's Secretary of State and had written the Constitution. During Madison's time in office the country had to defend itself against England again in the War of 1812. //**
 * //http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm4.html



James Monroe //****//James Monroe, another Virginian, was the 5th president of the United States. He helped to shape foreign policy and set a precedent that is still used today. //**
 * //http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm5.html //**
 * //[|Find out what the Monroe Doctrine said.] //**

//All of the pictures from this page were taken from The White House website, [|http://www.whitehouse.gov].// | | [|Hungary Creek Webpage]|
 * //Click the link below to play a game about the 4 presidents on Mount Rushmore, including two of the presidents above. //**
 * //[|I want to play the game!] //**
 * //Click the link to find out more about Lewis and Clark, the explorers sent out west by Thomas Jefferson. //**
 * //<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times">[|Explore with Lewis and Clark!] //**