What If George Washington Became King?

Podcast: American History Hit
Host: Don Wildman
Guest: Michael D. Hattem (historian, author of The Memory of 76)
Date: October 23, 2025

Overview

In this thought-provoking episode, Don Wildman explores a fascinating counterfactual: What if America’s first president, George Washington, had become King George I? Joined by historian Michael D. Hattem, the conversation unpacks the political, cultural, and personal forces that shaped both the real and imagined contours of early American leadership—and what this “what if” can teach us about the unique DNA of the American presidency.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Myth of Washington’s Popularity and Presidency

• Unanimity and Reality: Washington was the only president ever unanimously elected, reflecting deep respect carried over from his Revolutionary War leadership. Yet, despite this elevated status, his presidency was highly contentious, and he was criticized, particularly by Jeffersonians for foreign policy and federal power.

  • Michael Hattem (06:01): “He did not have a fun time as president of the United States...his administration gives birth to partisan politics.”

• Washington’s Challenges:

  • Administered in a period rife with party conflict, especially between Hamilton’s Federalists and Jefferson’s Democratic-Republicans.
  • The Jay Treaty with England sparked division, highlighting struggles between restoring commercial ties with England or supporting France.

Precedent and the Two-Term Limit

• Stepping Down: The modern two-term presidential limit traces to Washington, although his decision to leave after two terms was not meant to become binding precedent—it was simply fatigue and a desire to return to private life.

  • Michael Hattem (13:31): “He didn’t leave office for the purpose of setting a two-term limit. He left because he was tired and wanted to go home.”

• Constitutional Ambiguity:

  • The 1787 Constitution gave the executive significant authority, more than one might expect given the antipathy towards monarchy.

The “King Scenario”—Could it Really Have Happened?

• The Newburgh Conspiracy (1783):

  • As the Continental Army became frustrated over unpaid wages, Col. Lewis Nicola wrote Washington suggesting he assume the role of king—a proposal rooted in English Civil War memory and the fear of a Cromwell-like takeover.
    • Michael Hattem (16:08): “Cromwell loomed large in colonial political culture...Cromwell was the specter hanging over. He was the threat...Would the American Revolution go the way of the English revolution in the 1640s?”
  • Washington definitively declined, emphasizing Republican virtue and civilian control of the military.

• The Glasses Moment:

  • In a now-legendary address at Newburgh, Washington’s vulnerability—putting on his glasses and remarking on growing old in service—moved his officers and defused potential insurrection.
    • Washington’s quote (30:06): “You’ll have to forgive me because I’ve grown old and blind in the service of my country.”

American Republicanism and Monarchy

• Republicanism’s Roots:

  • The idea of a republic was strong in American colonial political culture—unlike in England, where "republican" was used as an epithet.
    • Hattem (22:19): “There was a strong Republican thread that ran through colonial political culture that was not shared in England.”

• Not Anti-Monarchy?

  • The Declaration of Independence criticizes King George III, but not monarchy per se. Many colonists had already rejected parliament’s authority and maintained a nuanced relationship to the idea of monarchy.
    • Hattem (31:35): “There’s no anti-monarchical statements in the Declaration of Independence...we sort of read that into the Declaration because of the way that it’s focused on George III.”

The Cincinnatus Ideal

• Model of Virtue:
  • Washington looked to Roman history, especially Cincinnatus, the citizen-soldier who returned to private life after service—an anti-dictatorship model.
    • Hattem (36:03): “Cincinnatus is the model of a Republican leader...for Washington, he is insistent and set upon playing the role of Cincinnatus right from the moment that he assumes control of the army.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Washington's Reluctance & Precedents:
  • (13:31, Hattem): “He didn’t leave office for the purpose of setting a two-term limit. He left because he was tired and wanted to go home.”
• Republican Suspicion of Power:
  • (34:09, Hattem): “A person was a virtuous citizen in a republic by putting aside their own interests for the common good...the idea that power is corrupting of anyone. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
• Vulnerability at Newburgh:
  • (30:06, Hattem, relating Washington’s words): “You’ll have to forgive me because I’ve grown old and blind in service to my country.”
• Don Wildman on the meaning of Washington’s actions:
  • (51:05): “So much he wrote and so much in his behavior...is so informed by his true passion, which is, I did this for a reason. And it was to help create this country that is rooted in the power of the people.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Washington’s Mixed Popularity and Early Presidency: 04:55–08:12
• Role of Previous “Presidents” under Articles of Confederation: 09:45–10:16
• Why Washington Stepped Down—Myth vs. Reality: 11:05–13:35
• The Farewell Address and its Themes: 13:38–14:15
• The Newburgh Conspiracy Explained: 14:51–19:20
• Republicanism in American vs British Context: 22:14–23:41
• Monarchy as Norm and the Threat of Standing Armies: 26:55–28:00
• Washington’s Newburgh Address—The Glasses Episode: 29:01–31:13
• Was the American Revolution Anti-Monarchical?: 31:35–33:26
• Separation of Powers and the Roots of American Government: 34:04–35:49
• Cincinnatus as Washington’s Model: 36:03–37:39
• Counterfactual: Imagining the American Monarchy: 39:37–42:42
• The Problem of Succession—Who Follows King George I?: 42:42–43:19
• The Powers of the Presidency vs. The Monarch: 45:09–46:04
• What If Washington Had Stayed On?: 47:16–48:25
• Party Politics, Military Rule, and the Dangers of Power: 48:38–53:28
• Enduring American Vigilance & Civic Duty: 53:55–54:17

Takeaways & Reflections

• The “King Washington” scenario is almost unthinkable not because of tradition or politics, but because of the unique blend of republican ideals, Washington’s personal convictions, and his consciousness of history (Roman, English, colonial) that shaped American leadership.
• Washington’s deliberate restraint and his model of civic virtue didn’t just set a precedent—they established a culture of skepticism toward power and authority, and an ideal of public service rooted in humility.
• The conversation underscores the contingent nature of history and why understanding these crossroads—real or imagined—helps explain the development of American republican government and national identity.
• As Hattem concludes (53:55):
  “It’s not guaranteed that [authoritarianism] will never happen. Part of our civic duty as American citizens...is to be on guard against that and to be vigilant.”

For anyone curious about how America avoided a monarchy—and why that matters for our understanding of power, leadership, and citizenship—this episode is essential listening.