Paving a Path for a Nation: George Washington

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From the farm lands of an estate in Mount Vernon, Virginia, rose a leader with one of greatest magnitudes of pomp and circumstance in United States history. This man is George Washington, the United States first president. Known as a 'demigod' and 'the father of our country', he consummated many great achievements during his lifetime for this country. He led this newly formed nation through a war to gain independence from the British Monarchy. Washington shaped the office of the president not only for the ones to follow, but also to show the people what this new office and constitution was to bring. On top of everything he prevented a possible downfall of a recently constructed government through his foreign policy involving the neutrality proclamation of 1793 and controversial Jay Treaty.

"When the Second Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia in May 1775, Washington, one of the Virginia delegates, was elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. " (whitehouse.gov) That same year he led the continental army and his newly implemented navy into war with the British. Washington proved his military skill when he took Boston by leading a surprise attack by re-crossing the Delaware after a preceding retreat, recapturing 900 colonial prisoners. He also stopped invasion from the north at Saratoga, cutting off the British causing 5,000 of them to surrender. Washington's tactics kept the continental army in the war until aid come from the French in 1781. Washington commanded the French-American forces in a victory at Yorktown, ending the war. After the war Washington sought nothing but to return to his home at Mount Vernon. (McJoynt)

""It was extraordinary, it was unprecedented in modern times, "...for "a ...

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...usion, Washington could not have summed it up better, "We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience." ("brainyquote")

Works Cited

" George Washington Quotes." brainyquote. BrainyQuote.com, 2011. Web. 3 Feb 2011. .

McJoynt, Albert. "GEORGE WASHINGTON ." Brief Review of his Military Career (2009): n. pag. Web. 3 Feb 2011. .

Milkis, Sidney, and Michael Nelson. The American Presidency: Origins and Development 1776-2007. Fifth. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2008. 68-87.

whitehouse.gov, . "Presidents." George Washington(2010): n. pag. Web. 3 Feb 2011. .

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