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Washington hated tyranny as much as anyone in America, but he supported a stronger national government. Like most men of wealth, he feared for his property and status. Shay's Rebellion terrified him. But unlike many of his fellow planters, who spent their lives secluded on their plantations, Washington understood the value of continental unity. It was this unity that had won the war, and it was this unity that would allow the frontier to be safely settled. Most importantly, it was unity that made the nation virtuous. "This is the moment," Washington wrote in an open letter to the state governors, "when the eyes of the whole World are turned upon [Americans]; this is the moment to establish or ruin their national Character forever." In Washington's mind, the question of American unity was not simply political or economic, it was also a moral question.

Though Washington contributed relatively little to the Constitutional Convention, his support was crucial. His prestige (and that of Benjamin Franklin, who also attended) among Americans gave the Convention legitimacy. This allowed it to meet in secret–were it to meet in public the delegates probably could not have agreed on a document. Washington's support was most important when it came to the question of the presidency. Many delegates feared a strong president, believing he would behave like a monarch or tyrant. Others believed a strong president was needed to balance the power of Congress. Supporters of a strong president won the day because everyone at the meeting knew Washington would get the job. They trusted him to uphold the government rather than make himself a dictator.

It is difficult to say how Washington felt about becoming President. He clearly enjoyed his status as a hero, but privately he doubted whether he was capable of leading the country. He worried about the challenges ahead and was reluctant to leave home again. Worst of all, Washington knew that the success or failure of the new government rested largely on his shoulders, which created conflict in his decisions between his personal interests the interests of the nation.

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