George Washington
- February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, VA
- + December 14, 1799 in Mount Vernon, VA
Early Life and Career
_ son of Augustine Washington, member of the colonial aristocracy, and Mary Ball Washington
_ moved to Mt. Vernon, home of his elder half brother Lawrence, after father´s death
_ read widely in Mt. Vernon´s library
_ appointment to survey Lord Fairfax´s lands in the Shenandoah Valley
_ inherited Mt. Vernon after his brother´s death in 1752
_ travelled to Fort Le Boeuf, PA to deliver to French authorities an ultimatum to cease1 ) fortification and settlement in English territory (1953)
French and Indian War
1754 volunteer aide-de-camp2 ) to the British General Edward Braddock
Braddock´s men ambushed3 ) by French soldiers and Indians _ Braddock mortally wounded
Washington survives
1755 promoted to colonel and appointed Commander in chief of the Virginia militia
1758 took an active part in Gen. John Forbes´ successful campaign against Fort Duquesne
>> during this war evolved from an impatient young officer to a mature4 ) soldier with a sense for administration
Virginia Politician
- G. Washington left the army in 1758 and returned to Mt. Vernon
- He married the widow Martha Dandridge Curtis in 1759
- Entered politics, serving in Virginia´s House of Burgesses (1759 - 74)
- Became a leader in Virginia´s opposition against Britain´s colonial policies (taxation without representation)
- Afterwards a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congress (1774 - 75)
- In June 1775 became Commander in Chief of the Continental forces
American Revolution
_ July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence; Virginia Bill of Rights
_ Washington occupied Dorchester Heights and then moved on to defend New York City against Sir W. Howe
_ Short of men and supplies the Americans lost New York City to the British; Washington was despaired5 )
_ Capture of Trenton, N.J. on Christmas night 1776 . Colonial moral revived
_ Victory in Princeton, N.J. on January 3, 1777
_ Serious reverses in Pennsylvania at Brandywine and Germantown (September & October 1777)
_ Defeat of the British at Saratoga (October 1777) by Benedict Arnold and Horatio Gates, not by Washington
_ Conway Cabal: intrigue against Washington by some members of Congress and army officers to replace Washington · but lack of public support
_ Washington´s army was strengthened by the help of French Marquis de LaFayette and the Prussian Baron von Steuben (spring of 1778)
_ In 1780 he concentrated on co-ordinating allied forces · plans conducted by other Generals
_ Planned and executed the Yorktown Campaign against Charles Cornwallis, securing the American victory (October 19, 1781) >> Peace of Paris in 1783
_ After the war he returned to Mt. Vernon avoiding involvement in Virginia politics
_ In May 1787 he headed the Virginia Delegation to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia
The Presidency
- He took office on April 30, 1789, reelected in 1792
- Failed to heal the widening breach6 ) between faction led by Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton
>> support of Hamilton´s (Federalist) controversial fiscal policies: assumption of state debts, the Bank of the United States
- Acceptance of the Jay´s Treaty (1794) settled differences between the United States and Britain
>> seen as surrender to British demands by Jeffersonians (Republicans)
- Vigorous upholding of the excise7 ) law during the Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvania
- Washington left office in 1797 >> financial system established, diplomatic difficulties removed
- Reluctantly accepted command of the army in 1798 when war with France seemed imminent8 )
- Preferred to spend his last years in happy retirement at Mt. Vernon
Words:
1) to cease - to stop; 2) aide-de-camp - military officer who acts as assistant to a senior officer; 3) to ambush - make a surprise attack on sb. from a hidden position; 4) mature - fully developed in mind or body; 5) despair - state of having lost all hope; 6) breach - a break in usu. friendly relations between people or groups; 7) excise - a government tax on certain goods manufactured, sold or used within a country, 8) imminent - likely to happen very soon
Sources: Microsoft Encarta Encyclopaedia
http://www.gi.grolier.com/presidents/ea/bios/01pwash
Frequently Asked Questions About George Washington (Language Preview)
Who was George Washington?
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and died on December 14, 1799, in Mount Vernon, Virginia. He was a significant figure in American history, known for his roles in the military and politics.
What was George Washington's early life like?
He was the son of Augustine Washington and Mary Ball Washington. After his father's death, he moved to Mount Vernon, the home of his elder half-brother Lawrence. He was self-educated through extensive reading in Mt. Vernon's library and later surveyed Lord Fairfax’s lands in the Shenandoah Valley. He inherited Mt. Vernon after his brother’s death in 1752.
What was George Washington's involvement in the French and Indian War?
In 1753, he delivered an ultimatum to French authorities demanding they cease fortification and settlement in English territory. He served as a volunteer aide-de-camp to British General Edward Braddock in 1754. After Braddock's death, Washington was promoted to colonel and appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Virginia militia in 1755. He participated in Gen. John Forbes' successful campaign against Fort Duquesne in 1758.
How did George Washington transition into politics?
After leaving the army in 1758, he married Martha Dandridge Curtis in 1759. He entered politics, serving in Virginia's House of Burgesses from 1759 to 1774. He became a leader in Virginia's opposition against British colonial policies and was a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congress (1774-75).
What role did George Washington play in the American Revolution?
In June 1775, he became Commander in Chief of the Continental forces. He defended New York City against the British but was forced to retreat due to a shortage of men and supplies. He led successful campaigns, including the capture of Trenton, N.J. in 1776 and victory at Princeton, N.J. in 1777. He orchestrated the Yorktown Campaign, securing American victory in 1781. He resigned his commission after the war.
What happened to George Washington after the American Revolution?
After the war, he returned to Mt. Vernon. He headed the Virginia Delegation to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787.
What was George Washington's presidency like?
He took office on April 30, 1789, and was reelected in 1792. His presidency was marked by support for Hamilton's fiscal policies, acceptance of Jay's Treaty in 1794, and upholding the excise law during the Whiskey Rebellion. He left office in 1797.
What were some challenges George Washington faced as president?
He struggled to reconcile the widening divide between factions led by Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Jay's Treaty, while settling differences with Britain, was viewed by Jeffersonians as a surrender to British demands.
What did George Washington do after his presidency?
He retired to Mt. Vernon but reluctantly accepted command of the army in 1798 when war with France seemed imminent. He preferred spending his last years in retirement at Mt. Vernon.
What are some key terms associated with George Washington's life?
Some key terms include: to cease, aide-de-camp, to ambush, mature, despair, breach, excise, and imminent.
- Quote paper
- Volker Schröck (Author), 2000, Washington, George, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/95783
