George Washington was born February 22, 1732. He was elected as the first president by the Electoral College unanimously in 1789. Washington is commonly called the "Father of his country" since he played a major role in fighting for independence and helped form the government we now have. Many of his leadership practices became the template for the way politics have proceeded following his terms. For example his use of a group of counselors known as a "cabinet" is still in practice today. He only served for two terms and then stepped down which became, for the most part, the accepted norm for future presidents. George Washington is associated with some folklore tales such as being widely known for admitting to his father that he chopped …show more content…
Because of these experiences and his successes later on he was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army to fight the British in the American Revolution. Washington fought in a few wars and many battles throughout his military career to include the American Revolutionary War and the French-Indian war (or seven years war). Some of his Revolutionary war battles include the siege at Boston, Valley Forge, the Battle of Brandywine, the Surrender at Yorktown, and the Battle of Long Island among others. Washington had a lengthy military career. He demonstrated his military leadership abilities early on during the siege at Boston. At Boston he blocked land access to the town and limited British supply missions from her naval assets. He then sent a man named Henry Knox to bring heavy artillery that had been captured from the British at Fort Ticonderoga to Boston. In a very difficult mission, Knox maneuvered many of their cannons to the area surrounding Boston in January 1776. In March 1776, these cannons were used to overlook
The revered and respected first president, George Washington, gave the US hope during one of its most difficult times. Using the events and circumstances of his life to learn and advance his position, he grew from humble beginnings into a legend. George Washington had a valuable, well-rounded education from ages seven to fifteen, studying all the subjects (Nevins and Graff). Due to his father’s death, George grew up under the supervision of his half-brother Lawrence at Mount Vernon, learning many lessons and developing thoughts, actions, and manners he used later in life (Nevins and Graff). He worked as a surveyor for his first career and learned the benefits of hard work, endurance, and resourcefulness (Nevins and Graff). After Lawrence died, George took over running the family plantation and found farming an honorable, delectable, amusing, and profitable occupation (Nevins and Graff). Standing six feet tall with broad shoulders, Washington cultivated a lavish lifestyle of dancing, cards, billiards, and hunting as a prominent and active member in his community and church (Nevins and Graff). George Washington started his military career in November of 1752, and in 1755 he took the position as commander of all the Virginian troops at the young age of 23 years (Nevins and Graff). Washington desired more honor and respect than he received, so he resigned from the military in the fall of 1758 full of frustration (Nevins and Graff). War moved slowly, troops did not receive enough
The greatest event of Washington’s military career came on October 19, 1781 when he defeated Cornwall is at Yorktown. Cornwall is surrendered his entire army of more than 7,000 men. The fighting was finally over, although it would still take two years to form a formal peace treaty.
Many people often think about who was the one president who really did our country justice. Who was the one president who, out of all forty-two, beats everyone and takes the gold for best president in the history of American presidents? Not everyone who agrees with these thoughts is going to agree with the answer each other gives. However, I bet many of those same people would argue that George Washington was the best president out of all of them.
“Washington fought as a general in the army in the American Revolutionary War, which was from 1775-1783 and eventually gave America its independence” (Cox 893). Probably the most memorable moment in the war was in december of seventeen seventy six. Washington took his troops in freezing cold weather over the Delaware River to defeat the British and their mercenary hessians, which made a huge turning point in the war. In contrast, Adams wars were fought in the courtroom. He was from the north and went to law school at Harvard University (Peabody 37). His most notable event is when he defended British troops after the Boston Massacre had occurred. Eight soldiers were convicted of murder and Adams took their case and soon made history as all were forgiven of their
June 1755, George Washington Became Commander in Chief but to many patriots he was much more than the Commander in Chief. He became the calm voice to those who needed it, George Washington was known to be strongly determined and held a heavy load of the patriotic duty to country. George Washington was the real backbone into the Revolution war and kept it from going under during the hardships and unexpected trials and tribulations that occurred during the long years of war. Without General Washington as the commander and chief, it’s believed that the unthinkable and imaginable could never have succeeded. His faith in the cause and his devotion to the ideals it embodied made him the symbol of America — the spirit of the Revolution. http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/washington/george2.html
It is no doubt Washington was a powerful military strategist. He turned the tides of battle by deciding to carry out unorthodox attack options, such as taking the Delaware River for a surprise attack that ended up deciding the war (Source 2, ¶ 5). Before he was a great political leader, he learned the art of war by doing while serving in the French and Indian war. The sheer respect that he earned was rewarded with the title commander in chief of the American Army. His surprise attack across the Delaware River is thought to be the turning point of the war and many grand paintings have been drawn because
When George Washington was elected President in 1789 by members of the fledgling United States of America, he was setting into motion a tradition that has stood the test of over 225 years - the presidential election. Even as the United States has seen dozens of wars, made hundreds of scientific advances, and selected thousands of politicians to seats everywhere from small town councils to Congress, the principles of the election have remained the same; the people band together to determine who will best protect their interests at home and assure that the US will always remain on top in foreign policy. Oftentimes, this is found to be a difficult decision, as public opinion is constantly wavering. One sees this in action particularly during the 1992 election - a battle of wills between Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Ross Perot; complete with lead changes, major vote swings, and Perot’s unprecedented initial success - ultimately a false alarm to the bipartisan establishment.
When the war started to get really bad they made George Washington Commander-in-chief of the continental army, now they have a better chance of winning the war. They put him in this position because he was a noble, courageous, honest, and loving man so they knew he would be perfect for this position. He was also a delegate to the first continental congress from Virginia. They are group that had some of the first
Later on, in 1775 George was unanimously selected to be Commander-in-Chief of the Second Continental Congress, ("Primary Documents in American History"). Even though Washington was used to commanding a small militia, he had an excellent strategy. His first move was to occupy Dorchester Heights, where he brought supplies from Fort Ticonderoga and forced the British to evacuate Boston. Throughout the war for Independence, Washington continued to use his unique strategies. His strategies he used on the Hessians in Trenton was the surprise attack. Most of the battles he fought, he planned out very well. He failed sometimes, but that didn’t stop him from fighting. Washington was well organized, very attentive to details, and expected hard work and effort from his troops. During every war Washington would visit his home ten times, he stayed in Valley Forge. During the wars he would also write letters to help his army by giving cattle to his army to feed them. Then, The Treaty of Paris ended the war for Independence and started The Revolutionary War. In June of 1775, Congress ordered General Washington to lead the Continental Army in
Joining in Lawrences place ranked George up to major. Washington was eager to prove he was good enough and that perspective is what leads to what he means to us today. He was so eager to prove himself he joined in a dangerous mission to the Ohio territory in 1753. George was supposed to carry a warning message to the French from the governor . After Washington soon arrived he had to inform the governor that the French would not listen to the message and would not leave Ohio. After Washington did that he was promoted to the lieutenant colonel. Soon after he traveled back to the northern frontier were unpremeditated fighting resulted in the death of Joseph Jumonville, one of the French officers. Washington and his troop continued to work on a fort in Great Meadow, Pennsylvania. The French who were angry about the death of Jumonville decided that they were going to attack back. The surrounded George and his troop at the fort, but Washington could only surrender showing he would not fight and get his men killed. The French and Britain both wanted the Ohio territory which is what made the war known as the French and Indian war to Americans and the seven year war to the Britain start. After having to surrender the fort to the French George resigned his appointment with the Virginia regiment and bought his sister-in-law Annes Mount Vernon estate close to Alexandria, Virginia. Even though George bought the house he wanted to expand his military experience George
George Washington, a man of many military achievements, brought ragtag farmers to military men, and destroyed the most powerful army in the world. Washington was appointed the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army on June 14, 1775. Washington, who had military experience before serving in the Continental Army, had never commanded an army of this size. He was appointed leader of the Continental Army because John Hancock, president of the Second Continental Congress, thought of him as a man of great character who would help unite the colonies. Brilliant character and leadership help George Washington win battles over the British, and make farmers into true military men.
election. John Adams was elected vice president. Washington took the oath of office as the first
Washington was a military commander for England. Washington also led the then rebel forces against England fighting for Americans independence. Washington also served as the first
The major battle George Washington fought was The Battle of Yorktown on October 9, 1781. This battle was the battle that would end the Revolution. French allies went and supported the American Army. General Washington pretended that he was going to attack New York, this deceived Henry Clinton. It deceived him so
At the age of 23 years old Washington would become commander of the Virginia Regiment, ( Ellis, Joseph J, His Excellency, 24) although his men both more experienced and senior sought after him as their leader. His character and patriotism led directly to his selection as Commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Army. As commander-in-chief George led his army to a number of very important victories to include the capture of Boston with few defeats such as the trouncing of New York City. George lost many battles, with only one surrender, he continuously and persistently fought the British with unrelenting tactics he conspired the general strategy of the war. He oversaw the training and the organization of the army. Being unanimously elected upon Washington began his first term as President in 1789. He went on to serve for a second term ending his presidency in 1796. All that being said George Washington sounds like a stand up guy and that is why many Americans consider him to be a hero, but there are limits to the stories that are told.