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 O The French Revolution led to a major war between France and England during Washington's presidency.
O Washington followed a foreign policy of not taking sides in conflicts between other countries.
O Washington's secretary of state was Thomas Jefferson and his secretary of the treasury was Alexander Hamilton. O Washington's understanding of the Constitution meant that he did not infringe on the powers of Congress.