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Question: Who was president of the united states before George Washington!?
The United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776!. but g eorge washington became president in 1789!.

So who ruled the country before georgeWww@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Before the ratification of the Constitution in 1789, there was no United States, and hence no president!. The highest national body, and I use that term loosely, was the Continental Congress, which governed the country as best they could from Independence through the Articles of Confederation!.

The following are the leaders of that body and the period of their service!. This comes from John Adam's records:
* Samuel Huntington (March 1, 1781 – July 9, 1781)
* Thomas McKean (July 10, 1781 – November 4, 1781)
* John Hanson (November 5, 1781 – November 3, 1782)
* Elias Boudinot (November 4, 1782 – November 2, 1783)
* Thomas Mifflin (November 3, 1783 – October 31, 1784)
* Richard Henry Lee (November 30, 1784 – November 6, 1785)
* John Hancock (November 23, 1785 – June 5, 1786) Due to Hancock's failing health, he did not report to Congress, and the following two chairmen acted as president in his stead:
o David Ramsay (November 23, 1785 – May 12, 1786)
o Nathaniel Gorham (May 15, 1786 – June 5, 1786)
* Nathaniel Gorham (June 6, 1786 – November 5, 1786)
* Arthur St!. Clair (February 2, 1787 – November 4, 1787)
* Cyrus Griffin (January 22, 1788 – March 4, 1789)

With the inauguration of Washington, the Continental Congress was dissolved and the Federal Congress (like we have now) replaced it as a legislative body!. Prior to Washington, there was no executive office in America!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It was settled by the British originally, so until the USA made itself independent it was under King George III of Britain, who ruled from 1760-1820!.

However, when the United States found themselves in a war with Britain in the late 1770s/early 1780s, the negotiations to end the war were made by a team led by Benjamin Franklin!. John Adams went to London in 1785 as a representative for the United States!. Check this site out!. It's got a lot of detail, although some isn't accurately referenced!.

http://en!.wikipedia!.org/wiki/History_of_!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Excuse me but I'm fed up with people who are so naive in believing the simplest of answers!. George Washington was in fact the FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!.However there were (presidents) before him!.They were not presidents of the United States, but they were presidents who led over our, not yet independent country, because we had not won our Independence yet!. Thank You!. :)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Continental Congress did!. There were many different people (prezzies) in charge at that time though:

Peyton Randolph of Virginia
Henry Middleton
John Hancock
Henry Laurens
Jon Jay
Samual Huntington
Nathaniel Gorham
Aurthor St!. Clair
Cyrus Griffin


BANG!! and that's the answerWww@QuestionHome@Com

they were still putting the government in place!. there weren't as many people in the country as there is now, so it was completely different!. There didn't really need to be a leader at that point - but it was mainly done locally!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You mean who was the President of the Congress!. Congress was in control of the 13 states that made the United States!. That would be John Hancock from Boston, Mass!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Ruled the country!? George Washington never ruled the country because America doesn't work that way!. It kind of scares me that you phrased it like that, honestly!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

John Hanson!.!.!.wss the actual 1st person to run the country!.!.!.before George washington!. He was the head of the Contential Congress!.!.!.and by his office was the chief executive (the president) of our country!. taggerWww@QuestionHome@Com

George Washington was the 1st U!.S!. President under the Constitution!. Before Washington the president would have been the leader of he congress!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

There wasnt one, we declared our independence---revolutionary war, Washington was our great commander so he was given this rank!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Offically itsGeorge Washington but theres controversy if its John Hanson!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Thats a good question, I'm thinking each state ruled itself!. I'm not sure its been a long time since I've had history class!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

the queenWww@QuestionHome@Com

George WashingtonWww@QuestionHome@Com

I forget who, but under the Articles of Confederation there were several!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Good ole George Washington was our first president!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

nobodyWww@QuestionHome@Com

nobody dummyWww@QuestionHome@Com

no oneWww@QuestionHome@Com