Which of the following Presidents was the first to be a former military general?

George Washington was the first President of the United States and, notably, he was also a military general prior to his presidency. He served as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, which played a pivotal role in the nation's fight for independence from British rule. His experiences in this capacity helped to shape his leadership style and approach to governance as the first President.

Other figures like Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower also had significant military backgrounds, but Washington preceded all of them as the first to hold both positions. His unique blend of military and political leadership established a precedent for future Presidents who had military experience.