Read the excerpt from "George Washington." Which is the central idea in this excerpt?
He did not infringe upon the policy making powers that
he felt the Constitution gave Congress. But the
determination of foreign policy became preponderantly a
Presidential concern. When the French Revolution led to
a major war between France and England, Washington
refused to accept entirely the recommendations of either
his Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, who was pro-
French, or his Secretary of the Treasury Alexander
Hamilton, who was pro-British. Rather, he insisted upon
a neutral course until the United States could grow
stronger.
The French Revolution led to a major war between
France and England during Washington's presidency.
Washington followed a foreign policy of not taking
sides in conflicts between other countries,
Washington's secretary of state was Thomas
Jefferson and his secretary of the treasury was
Alexander Hamilton.
Washington's understanding of the Constitution meant
that he did not infringe on the powers of Congress.