Who Is George Washington's Legacy?

George Washington was the first President of the United States of America. He was born on the 22nd of February in 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. “He was one of our biggest presidents,”as he ranged about 6 feet and two inches tall, weighing about 200 pounds. Washington would be considered a “dog lover” in modern society, as he bred hound dogs and reportedly treated them as though they were apart of his family. I believe that he treated his pets as though they were family, because he never had any children of his own (only stepchildren). George Washington, being the 1st president of the United States, is not only known for leading the Continental Army to victory over the British during the American Revolution, he also set the standards and defined the duty as President for all future Presidents to follow.

To add, George Washington’s legacy began when his great- grandfather, John Washington, migrated to America from England, John Washington had a son in 1694, Augustine.

Augustine owned land in America where he married Jane Butler and later suffered her loss in 1729. In 1731 he remarried, to a woman named Mary Ball, who later became the mother of George Washington when he was born in 1732. Augustine and Mary moved the family around quite a bit, although major details of Washington’s youth are unknown, Fredericksburg, Virginia is where he spent a majority of his time growing up. George was homeschooled for a majority of his time as a child, and sadly lost his father at age 11. He was then raised by his half- brother, Lawrence. Sadly, George also suffered his loss in

1752.
Luckily enough for George Washington, he was the longest- living amongst his siblings, although he did encounter a few close calls. In 1755, while he was riding a horse, it was shot from underneath him, barely missing him, this incident actually occurred twice at the Battle of Monongahela. He also came very close to death at Kip’s Bay and the Battle of Princeton, as he rushed to the front of the battle lines to retrieve his troops. Although while in combat Washington had luck on his side, he has also had many close calls even off of the battlefield, after researching Washington’s health throughout his life, I found that he fought many diseases such as tuberculosis, Malaria, Smallpox, and Dysentery. He also struggled with tooth pain, and at one point, he became fed up with his teeth and eventually had them all removed, replacing them with a set of dentures, which are still on display at Mount Vernon.
George Washington went on to own a vast amount of land after his losses, one of them is Mount Vernon which he acquired at age 20. Not only did he inherit a large amount of land, he also inherited ten slaves from his father at age 11. Although Mount Vernon held a total of 300 African American Slaves throughout Washington’s life. Washington began his fighting in the war in 1754 when he led his soldiers to Pennsylvania. This event which took place on May 28, 1754 is said to have begun the Seven Year’s War, later involving Europe, The Philippines, India, and West Africa. 5 years later, he married Martha Dandridge Custis. Along with this marriage, he inherited two step-children, John and Martha. In the year of 1755, George Washington was named general of the Continental Army, and delegate to the First Continental Congress. He was then elected into the Virginia House of Burgesses. Washington later led America to victory over the British after crossing the Delaware River. Later, leading his army to Yorktown, where the British then surrendered, America won the war known as the American Revolution in 1781. Washington led his army to many successful battles, although, unfortunately, a majority of the battles ended in loss.
Although his ratio of losses and wins were not in his favor, years later, on April 30th, 1789, Washington was elected as President of the United States. During his two terms, he created the first presidential cabinet, and executive branch, while also establishing the USA federal judiciary. He appointed Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury and Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Hamilton aided Washington in reducing the countries debt and control expenses, while Jefferson also aided in keeping powers balanced and fair. Almost everyone believed Washington was best fit for the job as President, both in his experience, ambition, and political opinions (although he was never apart of any political party).
“The nineteenth-century presidency was not simply a logical extension of the Founders' original constitutional design. Writing in 1881, William Graham Sumner suggested that in fact "the intention of the constitution--makers has gone for very little in the historical development of the presidency." Instead, he believed, "the office has been moulded by the tastes and faiths of the people."(8) Sumner overstated his case, but he provides a useful reminder of the dynamism of the nineteenth-century presidency, buffeted as it was between venerable republican traditions and an emergent mass democracy, between a search for leaders of dignity and self-restraint and a fiercely competitive party system that relentlessly organized and mobilized the American voter. In nineteenth-century presidential campaigns, there was no single norm, no constitutional "old way," but rather contested, rival norms derived from divergent political cultures.” There are many differences in the Presidential Candidates from the ninetieth and twentieth centuries. As previously stated, in the quote, the nineteenth century presidencies were much more traditional. As opposed to a twentieth century president, George Washington made his money on land and crops (some of that being inherited). Also, Washington was one of the only presidents to use his personal finances on the country.

“For this you have every inducement of sympathy and interest. Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings, and successes.” This quote came from George Washington’s Farwell Address, on September 17, 1796 shortly before his final day as President of the United States, on March 4th, 1797.
Granting, George Washington was able to be cured and avoid death during his many periods of illness. One night, Washington became indisposed with an aching throat and troubled breathing. After hours of procedures and examinations from doctors, Washington passed away late at night on December 14, 1799, at age 67. Before the death of our first President, he asked to be buried no less than three days after he dies. His wish was acknowledged, and on December 18, 1799, he was laid to rest at Mount Vernon. George Washington, our first president, and The Father of our Country left behind an endowment that is still followed by Presidents to this day.