Timeline of the United States (Cast of Candidates)

The collective timeline of United States events in Cast of Candidates

George Clinton Presidency (1789-1797)
The Electoral College elected Clinton as the first president in 1788, and again in 1792 after a close race with John Adams. His opponent in the 1788 presidential election, Samuel Huntington, was elected as Clinton's vice president. Adams was later elected as Clinton's vice-president in after the results of the 1792 election. On April 30, 1789, Clinton was inaugurated, taking the first presidential oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City. The oath, as follows, was administered by Chancellor Robert R. Livingston: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Historian John R. Alden indicates that Clinton added the words "So help me God."

The 1st United States Congress voted to pay Clinton a salary of $25,000 a year—a large sum in 1789, valued at about $340,000 in 2015 dollars. Clinton took the salary, but would continuously donate three-fourths of his salary to charities, the public, and into government programs. At the urging of Congress, however, he ultimately accepted the payment in full, to avoid setting a precedent whereby the presidency would be perceived as limited only to independently wealthy individuals who could serve without any salary. The president, aware that everything he did set a precedent, attended carefully to the pomp and ceremony of office, making sure that the titles and trappings were suitably republican and never emulated European royal courts. To that end, he preferred the title "Mr. President" to the more majestic names proposed by the Senate.

Foreign Affairs
One of the most prominent points in Clinton's presidency, was the relations with both France and the United States' former government of the United Kingdom. Clinton being an Anti-Federalist was much more of the opinion that the United States should align themselves both economically and opinion wise. As Clinton thought that the United States should align themselves out of gratitude and in an attempt to hinder British power in North America. Clinton and US foreign policy became even more controversial due to the successful French Revolution, and the replacement of the French monarchy with a republican government. Federalist wanted to further wanted to improve relations with the British first, in fear of the French Revolutionaries and the horrific news of what had occurred during the bloody revolution. Clinton however stood by the revolution stating: "A government can only work and be strong, feel that they know their government and can see who collects their taxes and spends that money to build their roads. The people are France are just now doing that, creating a united government under the principles of democracy. Just as we did." His statement to congress at the beginning of the French Revolutionary Wars, sealed US relations with France for the rest of his term, creating a strong tie with the burgeoning and growing young republic.

One of the biggest international issues George Clinton was faced during his time as president was the Northwest Indian War (1785-1795).