1. George Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation
In 1793, President George Washington issued the Neutrality Proclamation, declaring the United States neutral in the conflict between France and Great Britain. This move was controversial, as many felt it overstepped presidential authority, bypassing Congress’s constitutional power to declare war. Washington argued it was necessary to prevent entangling the young nation in foreign conflicts, but critics saw it as a significant expansion of executive power. This decision set a precedent for future presidents to act unilaterally in foreign affairs.
