“I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” - (George Washington.) George Washington was a very intelligent and clever man. He was a great leader of the continental army, lead America off on a great foot to win Independence, and became a founding father of the United States of America. His greatest friend was Henry Knox, and James Madison served under Washington and later became his secretary of state. But behind his fighting background, who was he really? Why was he important? Who has he influenced for us today? In this essay, I will be covering these very topics.
George Washington was born on February 22, 1739, and passed away December 19th,
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Like fire, it is a dangerous servant, and a fearful master.” - (George Washington.) Washington commanded the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and was the first President of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. Washington played a leading military and political role in the American Revolution. He was very quick on his feet and had many tricks up his sleeve to lead the colonies to victory. On Christmas Eve, 1776, Washington had a great battle of Trenton, NJ, and days later on January 2nd, he tricked General Cornwallis's to think they were still at their camp, with all the fired burning. But instead, Washington's troops fled the camp and defeated Cornwallis.These battles were just 2 of many in the war that Washington was the leader of. George Washington also took advantage of fighting on lands that he is familiar with. In such battled that took place in a forest, Washington commanded his army to cut down trees and create roadblocks for the British, slowing them down tremendously. It was clear to all the electoral voters that George Washington was nothing less that a great leader. After America's great victory for independence, all 69 voted cast their votes for George Washington to become the first President of the United States. Washington was a very humble man, and at first didn't want the job. But he still had that fire to help his country succeed, so he gratefully accepted the
George Washington grew a huge reputation from his leadership in the war, he was the head of General of the Continental Army that fought in states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. He was the commander of his army, who so confidently trusted him, put an end to the fighting of the war after defeating and making General Charles Cornwallis’ army surrender in the Siege of of
Washington was the embodiment of everything fine in the American character. He had no delusions of grandeur and was second only to Benjamin Franklin as a diplomat with the French. In caring fo...
"His mind was great and powerful, without being of the very first order; his penetration strong . . . Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw a doubt, but, when once decided, going through with his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed." (Thomas Jefferson, as cited in "George Washington," 2006, para.19) George Washington is one of the most recognized and famous leaders in all history of the United States of America. He contributed greatly to the establishment of this prosperous country, from leading the Revolutionary armies into battle, to running the country as the first president, Washington has set precedence and example for all who have and are yet to follow. He was a noble man who demonstrated characteristics one would expect from a hero figure. He was not power-hungry, but did things and played his role for the good of the country, for patriotic purposes, to help America become the success it is today. In March of 1783, the soldiers of the American military were restless, bored and in a terrible state of doubt and distrust concerning the newly formed congress of the country. When these soldiers joined the army, they were promised a certain amount of money according to their service, but by the war's end, congress was nearly broke and not in a position to pay them all they had earned. The soldiers planned a rebellion against congress for their unjust treatment, and attempted to hold an unauthorized meeting of the officers on the matter. Washington forbade the meeting, but called for one a few days later, in which he gave his speech concerning the Newburgh Conspiracy ("The Rise and Fall," 2006, para.2). General Washington was a highly respected man among his peers, soldiers, and fellow men. His opinions, approval, and presence alone were enough to validate many plans, documents, and meetings throughout his life, so it is no wonder that even simple words or acts performed by General Washington were respected, and more often than not, taken to heart by his audience; perhaps this is why it may seem surprising that one of the most important speeches he ever gave fell on relatively deaf ears, leaving the audience hesitant, confused, seemingly unaffected by his powerful use of diction, and emotional appeal.
It was a good year for a revolution, 1776. But it didn't start off quite as well as the colonists would have liked. When George Washington agreed to take command of the American forces in 1775, he probably didn't realize what he was truly getting himself into. Washington took command of an army made up of old men and young boys that had either come from their farms or the street. The army was short on weapons and gunpowder, lacked uniforms, and was racked by disease and drunkenness. Washington understood that what lies ahead would be difficult, considering he would be facing the most powerful country in world. But he probably didn't expect his worst problems to come from his own army, which was an undisciplined and untrained group that would eventually tamper with his great patience. Through it all he would stay determined and always try to stay one step ahead of the enemy.
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were two important men who affected our nations independence and the beginning years of our country. They helped form this nation into a free and sovereign country. Yet, they were different in many aspects they shared a few common features. Both Washington and Jefferson grew up in the southern state of Virginia and like most owned land to grow and harvest crops. In growing up they came from two different class levels of living. The Jefferson family was more famous and richer than Washington’s giving him a greater advantage and opportunity to succeed, especially in higher education. After Jefferson finished regular schooling he was able to attend the College of William and Mary were he studied law. He did so under the teaching of George Wthe who was considered perhaps the greatest teachers of law in Virginia at the time. Washington however was taught by his mom mainly in mathematics and received no higher education. Washington was still knowledgeable and began to put it to use in the army to become as a young British soldier. He interred the army at the young age of nineteen were he began to learn leadership and military strategy which would prove useful in the Revolutionary War to come. Jefferson on the other hand was involved in the laws, courts, and small politics. At the young age of twenty-five Jefferson was elected to the House of Burgesses in Virginia were he served for five years. Washington was known for his great motivational speeches that would rally troops together to prepare for war and lead on to victory. Jefferson was more of a writer not a speaker and by using his skill he wrote and brought forth fresh ideas of independence and freedom.
George Washington became President in 1789 and since then has been regarded as America’s “Founding Father”(10). This grand and hero-like status is said to have “began gravitating to Washington six months before the Declaration of Independence, when one Levi Allen addressed him in a letter as ‘our political Father.’”(10). The preservation of Washington’s role as a national hero has been allowed by authors and the media omitting his many flaws as if they had either been forgotten or were no longer important. Yet by excluding these human faults, they have projected an almost god-like hero and inflicted him upon the nation as their Father, somebody whose “life still has the power to inspire anyone”(10).
There are many individuals in American History, whom we as Americans regard for their courage and audacity in shaping our nation. We learn in our history classes the great accomplishments of our founding fathers such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Ben Franklin. One other great founding father and our First President, George Washington was one whom we learned much about. We learn in school that he is as a prime example of leadership, citizenship, and overall individual achievement for his many contributions to our nation’s earliest struggles. But although we are taught that George Washington was this man of great disposition, no man is without his flaws. Many scholars have sought to enlighten individuals to these cracks in the Nation’s perspective of our first president. The following composition will give an analysis of literature that shows George Washington was in consistent regarding his views on slavery. Although Washington is well-known for his many political accomplishments little is spoken about his views regarding slavery.
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.
The following six years Washington led the 13 colonies together. It was hard as he had to build up an army from untrained and unpaid men and was also appointed unskilled officers. He never had a big enough army to directly attack in battle and sometimes he was close to being defeated. He used skills that would drain the British and then attack and then force them out of the area. Washington had help from the French also that made winning the Revolutionary War possible. In 1781 the fighting was over.
...he surrender. Even if he would have arrived much sooner, a British defeat was inevitable. He left the colonies in 1782. The colonies had become the newest nation, and named itself the United States of America. The hero of the war, George Washington went on to become the first president of the United States. Many wanted him to become the king, but he refused because he didn’t want all the power just like their tyrant cousins.
After all these years since the United States was born, no one has forgotten the name George Washington. George Washington helped the United States gain its independence. That wasn't all after we one independence George Washington was elected the first U.S. president. I believe that George Washington was the best president because he was our first, its because of how we are today, even though the U.S. is going through a rough patch right now he left a great name for the United States Of America. George Washington was the right man for the job.
...Americans won this war. Without his leadership, braveness, and great instincts the patriots couldn’t have won. He is the reason a new spark of hope was created when no one else had believed we could win, he is the reason we attacked the hessians on Christmas, he is the reason we attacked and won at Princeton, he is the reason his army made it through the harsh winter at valley forge, he is the reason men reenlisted and he is the reason America is a free country today. There are not enough words to describe how much George Washington has contributed to the world.
These qualities and his character demand his respect and placement as the best US president. In Washington's early life, he was a native Virginian and was a surveyor of the lands as a job in his teenage years (History, Washington) . This job is what gave him much of his bravery, as he would go alone and survey and draw maps in the wilderness. Shortly after, he was appointed the rank of Major in the Virginia Militia (Biography, Washington).
“To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace”, George Washington. George Washington is a man of many qualities, some could be considered bad, but mostly all of them are good. Some people could consider him to be a bad person for being a slave owner. He didn’t like the idea of slavery, but accepted that slavery was a law and that he could do it. George Washington did many things for the United States and the British.
“You think of George Washington, this man who was larger than life, and in some ways he was. But at the same time, he’s just a person.” -Benjamin Walker