1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910787069503321

Autore

Bartoloni-Tuazon Kathleen

Titolo

For fear of an elective king : George Washington and the presidential title controversy of 1789 / / Kathleen Bartoloni-Tuazon

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Ithaca, New York : , : Cornell University Press, , 2014

©2014

ISBN

0-8014-7191-5

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (265 p.)

Disciplina

973.4/1

Soggetti

Presidents - United States - History - 18th century

Forms of address - United States - History - 18th century

Executive power - United States - History - 18th century

Political culture - United States - History - 18th century

United States Politics and government 1789-1797

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Front matter -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction: The Title Controversy and the Early Presidency -- 1. An "Improper Distinction of Ranks": The Persistence of Titles -- 2. The Third Body of Washington: Sovereignties in Confusion -- 3. Protecting the Presidency: A Republican Dilemma -- 4. Debating a "Doubtful Power": The Legislative Battle Engaged -- 5. "Strange Contradictions": The People Confront Status Distinction -- 6. A "Dangerous Vice": Leaders under Scrutiny -- Conclusion: The Path to American Democratic Leadership -- Appendix -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

In the spring of 1789, within weeks of the establishment of the new federal government based on the U.S. Constitution, the Senate and House of Representatives fell into dispute regarding how to address the president. Congress, the press, and individuals debated more than thirty titles, many of which had royal associations and some of which were clearly monarchical. For Fear of an Elective King is Kathleen Bartoloni-Tuazon's rich account of the title controversy and its meanings. The short, intense legislative phase and the prolonged, equally intense public phase animated and shaped the new nation's



broadening political community. Rather than simply reflecting an obsession with etiquette, the question challenged Americans to find an acceptable balance between power and the people's sovereignty while assuring the country's place in the Atlantic world. Bartoloni-Tuazon argues that the resolution of the controversy in favor of the modest title of "President" established the importance of recognition of the people's views by the president and evidence of modesty in the presidency, an approach to leadership that fledged the presidency's power by not flaunting it. How the country titled the president reflected the views of everyday people, as well as the recognition by social and political elites of the irony that authority rested with acquiescence to egalitarian principles. The controversy's outcome affirmed the republican character of the country's new president and government, even as the conflict was the opening volley in increasingly partisan struggles over executive power. As such, the dispute is as relevant today as in 1789.