George Washington, born on the 22nd of February 1732 was indeed a Statesman of the highest caliber. As we see in chapter 12 ‘Understanding Politics’. There are many things required to reach a status of Statesman including: Pursuit of the public good, Practical wisdom, political skills, opportunity, and good fortune. All of these and more are prevalent in George Washington’s life.
First, Columbus found what he thought to be India in 1492, which later would be colonized by the first American settlers still under the British flag. During their time in America these British colonists fought the Indians (named due to Columbus’s first thought that he had landed in India) and In 1753, George Washington received an assignment from the Virginia military to take a letter to the French (who also wished to colonize America) This letter would lead to a war against the French and the Indians both. All of these events provided Washington with opportunity.
In these battles the early colonists required aid of the British armies and fought alongside them. Due to the cost of Britain’s provided protection from the French whom had taken hold in the east and parts of Canada the colonists had been unfairly taxed on all sorts of items. The unfair taxation lead up to the Boston Massacre in 1770, when British troops sent to help collect taxes killed 5 of the colonists.
These events and many others led up to the creation of the continental congress of which Washington was appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental army and in such showing Washington’s political skills and military skills.
Washington knew that the signing of the declaration of independence would mean war with Britain, but also that this was a necessary evil as it was the only wa...
... middle of paper ...
...of our liberties. Thus in 1787 the need for a centralized government was all too apparent to Washington.
What makes George Washington so fascinating is not only his importance in the ratification of the United States Constitution, but the fact that he went on to serve all of the first two terms under the new constitutional America as president. As the first president under the new Constitution –1789, Washington’s first order of business was to create the executive branch of government and appoint the heads of each branch.
One very surprising event which displays the just nature of our first president was his choice in appointing Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state. Despite the fact that Thomas Jefferson, was out of the country during the writing of the Constitution he was a well-known Anti-federalist, though, he had nice things to say about the constitution.
George Washington was the first President of the United States of America and realizing this he acted carefully and deliberately, aware of the need to build an executive structure that could accommodate future presidents. Washington's position as the first president of the United States allowed him to set many precedents that are still followed by executives today. Washington believed his power came from article II of the U.S. Constitution. He was very protective of executive powers and did not involve the executive branch in legislative matters. He established the initial implied powers of the president by creating the national bank, excise tax, and assumption of state debts from the Revolutionary War. The creation of those bureaucracies set the precedent that allowed presidents after him to establish and empower new bureaucratic agencies to execute the duties of the executive office.
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.
With a new nation facing overwhelming difficulties, George Washington faced the challenges of being the first president to run, shape, and build the foundations of the newly formed United States. Washington came into office with the country in heavy debt, and an empty treasury. With the issues President George Washington was facing, he proved to be a paragon leader.
George Washington was born at his father’s plantation on Pope’s Creek, in Westmoreland County, Virginia on February 22, 1732. Washington was the eldest of his parents Augustine and Mary Ball Washington’s six children. Little is known about Washington’s childhood and eduction. His father died when he was eleven. But most of the stories that make up his legend, such as his honesty, piety, throwing a silver dollar across the Potomac River, are not documented facts. After the death of his father, Washington helped his mother run the plantation. As a young man he focused on his informal, self-education, his early military contributions, and his career as a
At a time when a young nation was in a state of chaos and confusion George Washington emerged and led his army to victory against the greatest fighting force on the planet at that
George Washington is considered to be the most significant leader in the history of the United States. In 1775, when the Continental Army was created, he was chosen by his peers to take on the role of General and Commander in Chief and two years later as the President of the Constitutional Convention. His popularity was even made more apparent, when in a unanimous decision, he became the President of the United States. From the moment he was noticed at age 21 and throughout his career, George Washington
In May 1775 the second Continental Congress is meeting and the American Revolutionary War has already begun. The congress needed to get organized and fast. The militia’s that were fighting the war were very unorganized even though they were holding their own so early on in the war. John Adams proposed that the army that was outside of Boston be named the Continental Army and just five days later they had their general to lead that army. There was really only one choice as who to choose for the position and he was already there at the congressional meeting and his name was George Washington. Washington had experience in military leadership, he was among the top social elite in the colonies and he was a patriot. Those were the main things that made him a great fit for General. Another very important reason that he was chosen was because he was from the South and the delegates from the North knew they need the South to win the war. Making George Washington Commander in Chief was not only the best option to lead the Continental Army, but he was their only hope.
General George Washington gained command of the continental army in July 3, 1775 from the directions of General Artemus Ward who said, “The Continental Congress having now taken all the Troops of the several Colonies, which have been raised, or which may be hereafter raised, for the support and defense of the Liberties of America; into their Pay and Service: They are now the Troops of the United Provinces of North America; and it is hoped that all Distinctions of Colonies will be laid aside; so that one and the same spirit may animate the whole, and the only contest be, who shall render, on this great and trying occasion, the most essential Service to the great and common cause in which we are all engaged." In this speech General Ward summarized the task that had been bestowed upon General George Washington. Washington was given the task of instilling a new sense of spirit and pride in the continental army. Washington had quite a task in front of him. The continental ...
One of our country’s most significant leaders was George Washington. He is known as the father of our nation and has affected the way our country is today. There’s hardly a person in America who doesn’t know his name. He will be remembered for as long as America stands proud and free.
“The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America… No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States” (“The Constitution” National Archives 1).
In 1754-1763 The French and Indian war was fought between France and Great Britain. The war began when the British wanted to settle in the Ohio River Valley in order to trade with the Native Americans but the french had already developed forts to protect their trade with the natives, The British was defeated and so they declared war on France. The conflicts of the French and Indian war altered the relationship of Great Britain and its American colonies from at first growing together as one to then separating because of conflicts of Independence.
George Washington served as Commander in the Chief of the Continental army during the American Revolution and served as President for two terms from 1789-1797. Many argue he was a more exceptional President than a military leader. Many of his greatest military decisions were politically based. Because of him, Congress supported the Revolutionary War. When George resigned as commander and chief, it was said that was his greatest military decision. While President, he angered many Americans and lost many important allies he could have used.
...war, he influenced the nation to have a strong central government. After his death and the rejection of a third term, the two-term limit was made. The first president of the United States, George Washington held many reliable traits as a young man, as he grew to a war hero, and an influential leader for generations to come.
George Washington has influenced the United States in many positive ways as the first president of the United States. Washington was molded into a great leader at a young age through his life experiences. He helped unite the people and helped organize the country through his great leadership skills. Washington served in the American Revolution as a leader for the continental army before he became president. George was a war hero and a role model for the United States.
“To form a new Government, requires infinite care, and unbounded attention; for if the foundation is badly laid the superstructure must be bad. (George Washington quotes. n.d.)” This is a quote that George Washington wrote in a letter to John Augustine Washington on May 31st, 1776, which was over a decade before he became president. 227 years ago, the United States inaugurated our first president, George Washington. Washington influenced the success of the United States. His accomplishments before and during his presidency, formed the new government, which we practice today. He was an extremely patriotic man, and many people saw that in him. He possessed such patriotism and common sense, it won him the election to be the first president. The