Part IV - From Soldier to Statesman: 1783–1788

Summary

Finally, Part IV presents materials from Washington’s first period of retirement and the early stages of his return to public life. After eight years of near-constant exertion in pursuit of the nation’s independence, Washington was now free to embrace the repose for which he so ardently yearned – but not for long. His writings from these years chronicle his growing alarm at the disorders that seemed to flow from the weakness of the nation’s government, and his fear that America, having honorably won its independence from Great Britain, would now disgrace itself by proving incapable of effective self-government. This growing sense of crisis led him to reconsider his resolution to retire and finally convinced him to return to public service – first by agreeing to chair the Constitutional Convention, and then by taking upon himself the responsibilities of the presidency.