What Are George Washington's Strengths And Weaknesses

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

was one of his salient strengths”​(McCullough 40). He could see situations differently than others and make decisions that would help the American army greatly. Washington with his strong leadership and key choices made him the most important character in American Independence.

Regarded as one of the most beloved figures in American history, George Washington maintains an almost godlike image in the minds of many. Despite his reputation as a leader, Washington was not always flawless in his military exploits. His time in the French and Indian War granted him the experiences and skills needed to be effective as commander of the Continental Army, and not all of these experiences included victories. It was the knowledge Washington gained in the French and Indian War, and the war itself, that helped the colonies to obtain their independence from Great Britain.

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 excellent 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, paid attention to details, and required 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.June of 1775, Congress ordered General Washington to lead the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. During the Revolution Washington suffered more lost battles than he won.

    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

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

The Battle of New York would soon prove to be a disaster. It was Washington's first command on a large scale battle. He and his general officers had not only failed, but they looked like fools from the British point of view. After the battle, troops began to run away in fear. Even Washington's closest friend, Joseph Reed, began plotting behind his back. Washington suffered another bitter defeat at Fort Washington, N.Y. The colonists were intimidated, and surrendered Fort Washington. It was a severe blow to the colonists, 2000 were taken prisoner, 59 killed, 146 cannons lost to the British and Hessians in a matter of hours. It was a humiliating blow. During one particularly disastrous skirmish with the British, Washington saw his own troops fleeing from the enemy, and they were refusing to obey orders. Washington threw his hat on the ground in disgust. And

The following chapters portray the sections of Washington life when he was a soldier, his days as a general, and his duty as the president. The book details the military plights Washington faced as a leader. Ellis says that Washington “lost more battles than he won; indeed, he lost more battles than any victorious general in modern history.” The War for Independence emerged as the most significant milestone in George Washington's life, a time in which he evolved into a grown man, a notorious politician, and a national icon. Ellis does not take us through each battle in detail, but describes the events that shaped Washington’s life and made him a human

Society turns to powerful leaders for guidance in times of uncertainty. Especially after the American Revolution, the people needed a leader to mollify the concerns entailing their newfound independence. They needed a president who could guide them like a king without creating a power vacuum, who could lead with respect without becoming corrupt, and who could put the future of the country beyond his own desires; America’s future was reliant on a leader who had these qualities. Luckily, the first president, George Washington, acted as the “good king” America heavily needed.

Through his bold and intelligent military strategies, George Washington was able to defeat Great Britain in many battles. One example of this is the battle known as The Siege Of Boston which took place from April 19, 1775 – March 17, 1776. The Siege of Boston was caused by British troops took over and blocked of access to Boston (a key city during the war). Both armies had dealt with heavy casualties when general George Washington arrived on July 2nd (Chidsey, 117). He then organized the chaotic militia by appointing positions such as senior officer and introducing more discipline to the army (Chidsey, 113). Washington had the intelligence unlike the previous to commander to recognise the organization of his militia and quickly fix it to improve

George Washington had not one day respite. What was thought to be the road to independence turned out to be more like the path straight to hell. Americans all around were turning against one another. Five states threatened to secede, American commerce was being destroyed by British blockades, and fires left parts of New York City is ashes while the government was back in Philadelphia helpless without money or power. Since they were without money, the Army was left without any pay which meant the troops were in tatters. Troops in Pennsylvania and New Jersey refused to obey orders, but then they were promised compensations so they followed Washington to Virginia to fight in the last battle of the American Revolution. Washington then left Major General Nathanael Greene to command the forces to defend the Hudson River Valley. For months they remained there loyally without pay, food or proper clothing. Finally, an appeal was made to the states saying “Officers and Men have been almost perishing for want,” but the states were just as bankrupt as

Giant waves crash around you, threatening to overturn your boat. The frigid air nips at your exposed skin. Shouts from army members fill your ears, barking out orders. But you won’t listen to those orders. The only orders you will listen to and act on come from the leader of this army because without him, this whole plan would not even have the slightest chance of working. The year was 1776. Christmas Eve. The crossing of the Delaware to the Battle of Trenton was taking place. The Continental Army would not have been able to win this battle had it not been for George Washington, the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. His effective leadership has been so crucial to the creation of this country and without it, we would probably be somewhere

Washington had training and experiences his commanding military warfare with his qualified to wage war on the world's most powerful nation. Washington had trained and experience in frontier warfare involving small numbers of soldiers. He never abandoned the belief that once the Americans were deprived of their major cities, the rebellion would wither. These opposing viewpoints represented a continuation of the debate over the proper role of government, a debate that began with the conception of the Constitution and continues

Washington’s real quality was the American Revolution. One case was the point at which he took order of the troops encompassing British man armed force and attempting to secure

In his biography of America's founding father and first president, George Washington: The Patriot President, author William M. Thayer describes the heroic acts of leadership that Washington displayed while fighting in the American Revolution and during his two terms as President. Using a personal style that appeals to young readers, Thayer provides many glimpses into the private life of George Washington that give a better impression of the man behind one of history's most legendary figures. By tracing the path of Washington's incredible life, from his childhood farm on Mount Vernon to his participation in the French and Indian War of 1754, the author successfully recreates the key events in Washington's development. The book is filled with tales of Washington's bravery on the battlefield, his natural ability to lead men during both war and peace, and his fierce sense of patriotism in the face of British aggression. After reading George Washington: The Patriot President the lesson that greatness is earned through hard work and determination is made clear.