George Washington was the first person of the United States of America to hold the office of president. George Washington was an American by blood and by heart. Being a leader of such a country is not easy, as it requires hard work and confidence. Washington had to endure many hardships but he met many challenges. With no one to follow as a role model, George Washington served this country for many years. George Washington was born a leader and grew up good-mannered and for this he became the first ever president of the United States of America.
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia to Augustine and Mary Bell Washington. George Washington did not become the president in one day. He grew up with discipline and became a part of the militia. There was a story written -historians aren't sure if the tale is valid or not- about when George Washington, as a young boy chopped down a tree, specifically a cherry tree. In the tale, young George Washington told the truth about why the cherry tree had fallen. Mainly, the story was written to show how George Washington was truthful. As George Washington grew up he copied over 100 rules to follow. These rules helped develop George Washington's astonishing behavior and it helped him to calm his nerves. In George Washington's free time he hunted animals and acted as if he was a soldier similar to his half-brother, Lawrence. George Washington was also very built making him an excellent wrestler. His childhood and his character affected the life he would live greatly (Biography in Context 1)(Keller 6,8-9).
When Washington's brother died in 1752, George Washington took his brother's job as lieutenant colonel. At an early age Washington was asked by the gove...
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...1790’s might have thought the impossible. He did something people of today might have thought impossible. George Washington is the first president of the United States of America and he deserves the acknowledgement he receives.
Works Cited
Ayers, Edward L. Holt American Anthem: New York. Interactive online ed. Austin: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2007. Print.
Brookhiser, Richard. Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington. New York: Free, 1996. Print.
"George Washington." American Eras. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 1997. Biography in Context. Web. 4 Dec. 2013.
"George Washington." UXL Biographies. Detroit: U*X*L, 2003. Student Resources in Context. Web. 6 Dec. 2013.
Thoennes Keller, Kristin. George Washington. Mankato: Bridgestone, 2002. Print.
"Washington, George." FactCite: Lincoln Library of Shapers of Society Online. Lincoln Lib. P, 2011. Web. 8 Dec. 2013.
Washington's selection to be the leader of the Continental Army was the wisest choice that the newly formed Continental Congress could have made. Washington's selection as Commander of the Continental Army did more to win the Revolutionary war than any other decision made during the conflict. His personal character epitomizes perfectly the five traits required in a successful general: wisdom, sincerity, humanity, courage, and strictness. (Sun Tzu p. 65) These five crucial traits will become apparent and Washington's strategy to win the War of Independence is elaborated on further
Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. "Biography of George Washington." Biography of George Washington. Robert H. Smith and Family, 2014. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.
George Washington was selected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army because of his courage and bravery, his ability to motivate and command respect from his followers, and his strategic ability in battle. His reputation as a daring and successful leader inspired confidence and loyalty in his followers. If it weren't for George Washington, it would be a different America today.
Without our first president, we would not have our current president. George Washington made huge contributions and achievements to our country that still stands today. George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 at the Bridges Creek Plantation in Wakefield, Virginia. George was the eldest child out of five other younger siblings.
Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. "Biography of George Washington." Biography of George Washington. Robert H. Smith and Family, 2014. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.
He suffered from stage fright and often “blushed and faltered”, (18) even at his inauguration as President, “he trembled and several times could scarce make out to read his speech” (18) This weakness of his is often glossed over as it doesn’t seem to fit in with his image as the towering, imposing “founding father”. Yet today, it is essential for a President to be able to deliver impressive and clear speeches to the whole country. Finally there are some criticisms that he was not as effective General as is often believed. Thomas Paine claimed that he was a bad general whose strategy consisted of “doing nothing” (19). Although Paine had a personal agenda in condemning George Washington as he resented not being appointed Postmaster-General, and then later by not being rescued from French persecution by the government, it is true that George Washington did lose more battles than he won (20) and often did seem to do nothing for long periods of time. There is also the issue of his harsh treatment towards his own soldiers, any who were caught deserting or plundering were “flogged” (21) and he even a “Gallows near forty feet high erected” to terrify the rest into obedience.
George Washington had character and was extraordinary. Ellis described Washington as an "incalculable asset." His leadership skills were unique. His actions were performed for his country, not for political gain. He was also directly associated with every major event of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress, and the building of the new republic. Even the country 's new capitol had his name. These were some of the things that made him so special. Washington was not prideful and not easily led. He offered suggestions and warnings to his replacements and told the government to expand in a way that would keep the country standing; he was well aware of how dainty the country was. The United States would never have survived without him.
"William McKinley." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. N. pag. Gale Student Resources in Context. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.
George Washington was born on February 22th, 1732 in Virginia. He grew up as a country boy and loved his family. At the age of 17 he became a surveyor and had made a good reputation for himself as a responsible man. At the age of 20 he was assigned by the governor to send be a messenger
The soldier’s time to serve would be up in just ten days, the British continued to win battles, all hope of winning the war was fading and everyone was ready to put down their weapons and surrender to Great Britain. However, George Washington was not settling with anything less than trying their best. He kept that little flicker of hope that was still left, alive. The Continental Congress did not see much hope in the war either and turned the responsibility of the war to General George Washington. Washington received a message from Congress saying,
Washington, George."Washington's Farewell Address 1796." Yale Law School Avalon Project, 2008. Web. 12 Sept 2013.
Boritt, Gabor S., and Matthew Pinsker. "Lincoln, Abraham." Presidents: A Reference History. Ed. Henry F. Graff. 3rd ed. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2002. 209-223. Gale U.S. History In Context. Web. 20 Apr. 2011
Flexner, James Thomas. George Washington: The Forge of Experience 1732-1775: Boston, Toronto. Little, Brown and Company. 1965.
McMurry, Linda O. George Washington Carver, Scientist and Symbol. New York: Oxford UP, 1981. Print.
Well-known social activist, Jane Addams, in her Union League Club speech, commemorates the birthday of America’s first president, George Washington. Addams expresses her highest regard for one of America’s great founding fathers. Her primary purpose during the address is to use Washington’s life as an illustration of an honorable life without concern for materialism. She shares his contributions through three facets of his life - soldier, statesman, and citizen with members of the civic organization, the Chicago Union League Club. She includes these aspects of George Washington’s life to appeal to the audience so they can see him as a relatable person instead of just a powerful figure.