About This Video

How did George Washington become the first president of the United States in 1789? Who got to decide--or vote--who would become president, and how did they decide the winner?  Kenneth C. Davis unveils the surprising story behind America’s first presidential election.

Meet The Creators
Kennethcdavis_small
Kenneth C. Davis Educator
Candykugel_small
Candy Kugel Director
Rickbroas_small
Rick Broas Animator
Marilynkraemer_small
Marilyn Kraemer Producer
Additional Resources for you to Explore

Here are some places to learn more about elections, the U.S. Constitution and George Washington’s election:

“The American Franchise” The Miller Center at the University of Virginia http://millercenter.org/president/washington/essays/biography/8

U.S. Electoral College Home- National Archives http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/historical.html

The U.S. Constitution in the “Charters of Freedom” exhibit at the National Archives http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html

The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pa. http://constitutioncenter.org/

“The Annotated Constitution” Legal Information Institute of Cornell University Law School http://www.law.cornell.edu/anncon/html/art2toc_user.html

You can read also read more about American History and the Presidency in my books Don’t Know Much About® the American Presidents http://dontknowmuch.com/books/dont-know-much-about-the-american-presidents/

and Don’t Know Much About® History http://dontknowmuch.com/books/dont-know-much-about-history/

And you can follow Kenneth C. Davis's blogs about history and the headlines at www.dontknowmuch.com