George Washington as America's Greatest Leader
An independent country requires a strong, wise and dignified administration to guide a highly emotional population through a tough phase while establishing a stable relationship with other nations. At the same time, the first president, guided by his administration, must create a charter to govern the nation. Being the first president of the United States of America and a new face on the world stage, George Washington along with his administration created an excellent blueprint for the recently formed nation. Washington was successful as the first president because his administration maintained peace and neutrality in European affairs, consisted of men
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He simply declared neutrality by saying that he believed "that France had actually started the war." [3]
Following Washington's decision to avoid France's war, Washington found himself in a situation with the French minister to the United States, Edmond Charles Genet. The new minister arrived in the United States in April 1793 and at once began to hire recruiting agents and to commission privateers for war on English shipping. Again, President Washington declared his neutrality, but this time he clearly said to both England and France that he would not aid either, and he even asserted America's right to trade freely with both.[4]
Peace and neutrality between the United States and Europecontinued throughout Washington's presidency and beyond. Washington realized that through his decision it was finalized that Europeans did not interfere in American affairs and vice versa. The Europeans would no longer be an immediate threat, but Washington did not overlook them. In his Farewell Address in 1796, Washington stated:
"While then every part of our country thus feels an immediate and particular interest in union, all the parts combined cannot fail to find in the united mass of means and efforts greater strength, greater resource, proportionally greater security from external danger, a less frequent interruption of their
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
He has first gained public notice when he went to persuade the French the leave the Ohio Valley as they threatened to drive out the English (“George Washington”). This began to what is known as the Seven Year’s French and Indian War. After this war, many taxes were created to pay for the debt of Britain Protection. New Englanders felt the taxes were an abuse of power and began an American Revolution at Lexington and Concord in which Washington joined the Continental Congress and was named the Commander in Chief of the Continental forces. He led the forces to a moral boosting victory at Valley Forge against the British. After the war, he became the most important man in the country (“George Washington”). Washington retired from the army and became elected the first president of the United States after the new government was formed. When he retired from office he had given his ‘Farewell Address’ speech that included two main priorities for the success of America: no political parties and no foreign affairs (Williams). Although tensions between the French and British were inevitable, Washington was vital in the victory of the later Revolutionary War from the military knowledge he gained from the Seven Year’s War. Washington was extremely influential; thus, without him the ratification of the Constitution would not have been possible. The checks and balances system would not have been created resulting
The colonies decided to elect a president on the year 1789. Washington was the first choice for president. During the American Revolution , he was one of the best generals. For example, he was usually fighting along with his soldiers, not just giving orders. Also, Washington was never severely wounded in battle. Many people believe we would have lost the war without George Washington.
With a new nation facing overwhelming difficulties, George Washington faced the challenges of being the first president to run, shape, and build the foundations of the newly formed United States. Washington came into office with the country in heavy debt, and an empty treasury. With the issues President George Washington was facing, he proved to be a paragon leader.
Abraham Lincoln is regarded by many Americans as the greatest president to ever hold office in the history of the United States, and his reputation is definitely well deserved. Lincoln wasn't scared to stand up and fight for what he knew was right. He was convinced that within the branches of government, the presidency alone was empowered not only to uphold the Constitution, but also to protect, and defend it. Lincoln was able to lead our country and preserve the Union, keeping the United States from splintering during the devastating times of the Civil War. As President, he built the Republican Party into a strong national organization, and he rallied most of the northern Democrats to the Union cause. On January 1, 1863, he issued the
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He attended school for approximately eight years. Washington lived with his mother until the age of 16. At the age of 15, Washington took a job as an assistant land surveyor. In 1748, he began working in the Shanandoah Valley to help survey the land holdings of Lord Fairfax. By 1749, he established a good reputation as a land surveyor and was appointed Culpeper counties official land surveyor.
George Washington is considered the greatest because he effectively formed the United States of America. He was the first president so the floor was wide open for him to do almost anything. According, to an article it states, “As one scholar has said, he "invented tradition as he went along." His actions, more than those of any other Founding Father, became a part of the "unwritten Constitution” (Stephen Knott, George Washington:Impact and Legacy, Paragraph 3). Washington was
One of the most obvious, and in my opinion, most important factors to Why George Washington is the greatest president of all time, is the fact that he was the very first president ever. With John Adams at his side, George Washington started the country on its way to become the great and wonderful country that we call home today. George Washington is perhaps the single president who can truly call himself a “founding father” of the United States of America. Many people would’ve have looked at the situation and thought that it wasn’t their place to correct a whole country, or much less to lead the country to greatness. It takes great courage to lead an entire country, without anyone to look back on for experience advice or mistakes that have been made. I, myself, couldn’t or wouldn’t have even thought about doing that, I would’ve let someone like George Washington step up to the plate.
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
George Washington held the position of president of president of the United States for two terms from 1789 until 1796. George Washington was not interested in leading the new country, but when the United States constitution was ratified in 1788. Americans wanted Washington to fill the post. Washington was admired and respected as a result of his success and integrity as the commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and as the President of the Constitutional Convention. When the Electoral College unanimously elected George Washington as the first president of the new nation, he reluctantly accepted. Although, many Americans and historian view George Washington eight years of presidency a success, he was met with many
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.
1. Washington’s Farewell Address- an essay George Washington wrote to stay neutral from foreign affairs. “We need to stay focused on well-being of U.S. since we are a new country.” For the next 150 years, the U.S. didn’t sign an alliance. Isolationism formed from this address. Twice however, the US got involved in the European struggle. 1) in 1798 in opposition to France & 2) in 1813 in opposition to Great Britain. He basically said he was totally for the Neutrality Act & he also said to avoid political parties. IT will only cause disagreements. He made this address because he didn’t want to serve his 3rd session and made the tradition of 2 per president.
George Washington’s belief in singular national unity was not just an abstract ideal built without fundamental understanding. It was a pragmatic understanding erected on a clear unifying belief, that in order to maintain a nation to build a singular belief in country; it needed a singular belief in purpose. In his Address, Washington stated:
George Washington was one of the most skilled, and maybe the best person that could have held the title of founder of the United States of American. He had the capabilities of representing his people on the Continental Congress, the intelligence to flip his misfortunes to his victories on many battles against the British and on his personal life, the generosity of believing in people that were ignored or discriminated by society and more remarkably, the bravery needed to act against the laws and even risk his own life on several occasions for the liberty of his people, among many other aspects that makes him one of the most studied historical characters and sources of inspiration.
At this time in history, the United was still in its infancy, being not even three decades old. George Washington had established a Proclamation of Neutrality for the United States during his presidency. This stated that the United States would not involve itself in foreign affairs, commercial or militaristic, and create a self-contained economy that relied on no outside power. He felt that if the nation got involved in the issues of other countries, it could draw the U.S. into tensions and conflict with other countries. The newborn country was not yet ready for war and its economy was not sufficiently stabilized to start trade with others. The victory of the United States over Great Britain