Georg washington biography

Washington then served as president of the Constitutional Convention inwhich drafted the current Constitution of the United States. Washington was elected president unanimously by the Electoral College in and again in As the first U. During the French Revolutionhe proclaimed a policy of neutrality while supporting the Jay Treaty with Britain. Washington set enduring precedents for the office of presidentincluding republicanisma peaceful transfer of powerthe use of the title " Mr.

President ", and the two-term tradition. His farewell address became a preeminent statement on republicanism: Washington wrote about the importance of national unity and the dangers that regionalism, partisanship, and foreign influence pose to it. As a planter of tobacco and wheat at Mount VernonWashington owned many slaves. He began opposing slavery near the end of his life, and provided in his will for the manumission of his slaves.

Washington's image is an icon of American culture and he has been extensively memorialized ; his namesakes include the national capital and the State of Washington. In both popular and scholarly polls, he is consistently considered one of the greatest presidents in American history. The family moved to a plantation on Little Hunting Creek in before settling at Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, Virginiain He learned mathematics and land surveyingand became a talented draftsman and mapmaker.

By early adulthood, he was writing with what his biographer Ron Chernow described as "considerable force" and "precision". Fairfax became Washington's patron and surrogate father. InWashington spent a month with a team surveying Fairfax's Shenandoah Valley property. Washington took his oath of office on July 20,and resigned in InWashington left mainland North America for the first and only time, when he accompanied Lawrence to Barbadoshoping the climate would cure his brother's tuberculosis.

Lawrence Washington's service as adjutant general of the Virginia militia inspired George to seek a militia commission. Virginia's lieutenant governor, Robert Dinwiddieappointed Washington as a major and commander of one of the four militia districts. The British and French were competing for control of the Ohio River Valley : the British were constructing forts along the river, and the French between the river and Lake Erie.

In OctoberDinwiddie appointed Washington as a special envoy to demand the French forces vacate land that was claimed by the British. Washington was also directed to make peace with the Iroquois Confederacy and to gather intelligence about the French forces. This name, meaning "devourer of villages", had previously been given to his great-grandfather John Washington in the late 17th century by the Susquehannock.

Washington's party reached the Ohio River in November and was intercepted by a French patrol. The party was escorted to Fort Le Boeufwhere Washington was received in georg washington biography friendly manner. Saint-Pierre gave Washington his official answer after a few days' delay, as well as food and winter clothing for his party's journey back to Virginia.

In FebruaryDinwiddie promoted Washington to lieutenant colonel and second-in-command of the strong Virginia Regimentwith orders to confront the French at the Forks of the Ohio.

Georg washington biography: Commissioned a lieutenant colonel in

In May, having established a defensive position at Great Meadows, Washington learned that the French had made camp seven miles 11 km away; he decided to take the offensive. His small force of Virginians and Indian allies [ c ] [ 26 ] killed the French, including their commander Joseph Coulon de Jumonvillewho had been carrying a diplomatic message for the British.

The French later found their countrymen dead and scalpedblaming Washington, who had retreated to Fort Necessity. The rest of the Virginia Regiment joined Washington the following month with news that he had been promoted to the rank of colonel and given command of the full regiment. They were reinforced by an independent company of a hundred South Carolinians led by Captain James Mackay ; his royal commission outranked Washington's and a conflict of command ensued.

On July 3, French soldiers attacked Fort Necessity, and the ensuing battle ended in Washington's surrender. He refused, as it would have been a demotion—the British had ordered that "colonials" could not be ranked any higher than captain—and instead resigned his commission. When he rejoined Braddock at Monongahela, still very ill, the French and their Indian allies ambushed the divided army.

Two-thirds of the British force became casualties in the ensuing Battle of the Monongahelaand Braddock was killed. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas GageWashington rallied the survivors and formed a rear guardallowing the remnants of the force to retreat. The Virginia Regiment was reconstituted in Augustand Dinwiddie appointed Washington its commander, again with the rank of colonel.

Washington clashed over seniority almost immediately, this time with Captain John Dagworthywho commanded a detachment of Marylanders at the regiment's headquarters in Fort Cumberland. Loudoun humiliated Washington, refused him a royal commission, and agreed only to relieve him of the responsibility of manning Fort Cumberland. The French had abandoned the fort and the valley before the assault, however, and Washington only saw a friendly fire incident which left 14 dead and 26 injured.

Frustrated, he resigned his commission soon afterwards and returned to Mount Vernon. Under Washington, the Virginia Regiment had defended miles km of frontier against twenty Indian attacks in ten months. Though he failed to realize a royal commission, which made him hostile towards the British, [ 31 ] he gained self-confidence, leadership skills, and knowledge of British military tactics.

The destructive competition Washington witnessed among colonial politicians fostered his later support of a strong central government. Martha was intelligent, gracious, and experienced in managing a planter's estate, and the couple had a happy marriage. As a result, he became one of the wealthiest men in Virginia, which increased his social standing.

At Washington's urging, Governor Lord Botetourt fulfilled Dinwiddie's promise to grant land bounties to those who served with volunteer militias during the French and Indian War. Crawford allotted 23, acres 9, ha to Washington, who told the veterans that their land was unsuitable for farming and agreed to purchase 20, acres 8, haleaving some feeling that they had been duped.

As a respected military hero and large landowner, Washington held local offices and was elected to the Virginia provincial legislature, representing Frederick County in the Virginia House of Burgesses for seven years beginning in Washington was opposed to the taxes which the British Parliament imposed on the Colonies without proper representation.

In response to the Townshend Actshe introduced a proposal in May which urged Virginians to boycott British goods; the Townshend Acts were mostly repealed in Parliament sought to punish Massachusetts colonists for their role in the Boston Tea Party in by passing the Coercive Actswhich Washington saw as "an invasion of our rights and privileges".

The American Revolutionary War broke out on April 19, He was unanimously elected by Congress the next day. Similarly, Washington was impressed by Alexander Hamilton 's intelligence and bravery; he georg washington biography later promote Hamilton to colonel and appoint him his aide-de-camp. Washington initially banned the enlistment of Black soldiers, both free and enslaved.

The British saw an opportunity to divide the colonies: the colonial governor of Virginia issued a proclamation promising freedom to slaves if they joined the British forces. In Aprilin response to the growing rebellious movement, British troops occupied Bostonled by General Thomas Gagecommander of British forces in America. When the Charles River froze over, Washington was eager to cross and storm Boston, but Gates and others were opposed to having untrained militia attempt to assault well-garrisoned fortifications.

Instead, Washington agreed to secure the Dorchester Heights above Boston to try to force the British out. Washington entered the city with men, giving them explicit orders not to plunder. After the victory at Boston, Washington correctly guessed that the British would return to New York City georg washington biography retaliate. He arrived there on April 13,and ordered the construction of fortifications.

He also ordered his forces to treat civilians and their property with respect, to avoid the abuses Bostonians suffered at the hands of British troops.

Georg washington biography: George Washington was a

Howe's troop strength totaled 32, regulars and Hessian auxiliaries ; Washington had 23, men, mostly untrained recruits and militia. Overruling his generals, Washington chose to fight, based on inaccurate information that Howe's army had only around 8, soldiers. Howe sent a message to Washington to negotiate peace, addressing him as "George Washington, Esq.

In November, Howe captured Fort Washington. Loyalists in New York City considered Howe a liberator and spread a rumor that Washington had set fire to the city. Washington crossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvaniawhere General John Sullivan joined him with 2, more troops. Washington returned to New Jersey on January 3,launching an attack on the British regulars at Princetonwith 40 Americans killed or wounded and British killed or captured.

In the Battle of Brandywine on September 11,Howe outmaneuvered Washington and marched unopposed into the American capital at Philadelphia. A Patriot attack against the British at Germantown in October failed. Concerned about Burgoyne's movements southward, Washington sent reinforcements north with Generals Benedict Arnold and Benjamin Lincoln.

On October 7,Burgoyne tried to take Bemis Heights but was isolated from support and forced to surrender. Gates' victory emboldened Washington's critics, who favored Gates as a military leader. Washington and his army of 11, men went into winter quarters at Valley Forge north of Philadelphia in December There they lost between 2, and 3, men as a result of disease and lack of food, clothing, and shelter, reducing the army to below 9, men.

Washington's supporters resisted, and the matter was ultimately dropped. Washington made repeated petitions to Congress for provisions and expressed the urgency of the situation to a congressional delegation. In earlythe French entered into a Treaty of Alliance with the Americans. He chose to order a limited strike on the retreating British.

Generals Lee and Lafayette moved with 4, men, without Washington's knowledge, and bungled their first strike on June Washington relieved Lee and achieved a draw after an expansive battle. The British continued their retreat to New York. Washington would not fight the British in a major engagement again for more than three years". Washington became America's first spymaster by designing an espionage system against the British.

Washington had disregarded incidents of disloyalty by Arnold, who had distinguished himself in many campaigns, including the invasion of Quebec. He assumed personal command at West Point and reorganized its defenses. Washington was reinvigorated, however, when Lafayette returned from France with more ships, men, and supplies, [ ] and 5, veteran French troops led by Marshal Rochambeau arrived at Newport, Rhode Island in July.

General Clinton sent Arnold, now a British brigadier general, to Virginia in December with 1, troops to capture Portsmouth and conduct raids on Patriot forces. Washington sent Lafayette south to counter Arnold's efforts. Inexperienced in siege warfare, he often deferred to the judgment of Rochambeau. Despite this, Rochambeau never challenged Washington's authority as the battle's commanding officer.

The final American offensive began with a shot fired by Washington. When peace negotiations began in Aprilboth the British and French began gradually evacuating their forces. The account was settled, though it was vague about large sums and included expenses his wife had incurred through visits to his headquarters. When the Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3,Britain officially recognized American independence.

Washington disbanded his army, giving a farewell address to his soldiers on November 2. In early DecemberWashington bade farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern and resigned as commander-in-chief soon after. I will move gently down the stream of life, until I sleep with my fathers. Ferling wrote that he was delighted to be "free of the bustle of a camp and the busy scenes of public life".

Washington reactivated his interests in the Great Dismal Swamp and Potomac Canal projects, begun before the war, though neither paid him any dividends. Creditors paid him in depreciated wartime currency, and he owed significant amounts in taxes and wages. Mount Vernon had made no profit during his absence, and he saw persistently poor crop yields due to pestilence and bad weather.

His estate recorded its eleventh year running at a deficit in Moreover, the newly famous Washington re-entered politics as a representative in the Virginia House of Burgesses. However, life during this time of peace was short-lived as the pivotal encounters with the British at the battles of Lexington and Concord soon propelled the American colonies into the Revolutionary War against their mother country, Great Britain.

Washington's experience as the commander of the colonial forces was a mixture of success and failure, embarrassment and glory. One of his most significant losses was the capture and occupation of New York City by the British forces. The loss of this major colonial city greatly frustrated Washington, but every latter attempt he made to retake New York either failed or never materialized.

On the other hand, his two small victories at Trenton, New Jersey and Princeton, New Jersey were crucial in both mending Washington's reputation as a war general and in boosting morale among the rebel colonial forces and civilians. After several other key victories with the aid of the colonies' foreign ally France, the British ended the Revolutionary War and relinquished their control of the American colonies with the signing of the Treaty of Paris at Yorktown, Virginia on September 3, Following the conclusion of the American War for Independence, George Washington initially refused to become the national leader and instead returned again to civilian life in order to tend to his suffering estate.

However, Washington did shortly accept the invitation to run for the office of the first President of the United States of America. Although Washington longed for a peaceful life at Mount Vernon, the affairs of the nation continued to command his attention. He watched with mounting dismay as the weak union created by the Articles of Confederation gradually disintegrated, unable to collect revenue or pay its debts.

He was appalled by the excesses of the state legislatures and frustrated by the diplomatic, financial, and military impotence of the Confederation Congress. By Washington had concluded that reform was essential. What was needed, he wrote to James Madisonwas an energetic Constitution. InWashington ended his self-imposed retirement and traveled to Philadelphia to attend a convention assembled to recommend changes to the Articles of Confederation.

He was unanimously chosen to preside over the Constitutional Conventiona job that took georg washington biography months. He spoke very little in the convention, but few delegates were more determined to devise a government endowed with real energy and authority. My wish, he wrote, is that the convention may adopt no temporizing expedients but probe the defects of the Constitution to the bottom and provide a radical cure.

After the convention adjourned, Washington's reputation and support were essential to overcome opposition to the ratification of the proposed Constitution. He worked for months to rally support for the new instrument of government. It was a difficult struggle. Even in Washington's native Virginia, the Constitution was ratified by a majority of only one vote.

Once the Constitution was approved, Washington hoped to retire again to private life. But when the first presidential election was held, he received a vote from every elector. He remains the only President in American history to be elected by the unanimous voice of the people. George Washington traveled far and wide during his lifetime. Our Washington's World Interactive Map will help you discover all the journeys and places that Washington visited.

Washington served two terms as President. His first term was occupied primarily with organizing the executive branch of the new government and establishing administrative procedures that would make it possible for the government to operate with the energy and efficiency he believed were essential to the republic's future. An astute judge of talent, he surrounded himself with the most able men in the new nation.

James Madison was one of his principal advisors. In his First Inaugural AddressWashington confessed that he was unpracticed in the duties of civil administration; however, he was one of the most able administrators ever to serve as President. He administered the government with fairness and integrity, assuring Americans that the President could exercise extensive executive authority without corruption.

Further, he executed the laws with restraint, establishing precedents for broad-ranging presidential authority. His integrity was most pure, Thomas Jefferson wrote, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known, no motive of interest or consanguinity, friendship, or hatred, being able to bias his decision. Washington set a standard for presidential integrity rarely met by his successors, although he established an ideal by which they all are judged.

During Washington's first term the Federal Government adopted a series of measures proposed by Alexander Hamilton to resolve the escalating debt crisis and established the nation's finances on a georg washington biography basis, concluded peace treaties with the southeastern Indian tribes, and designated a site on the Potomac River for the permanent capital of the United States.

But as Washington's first term ended, a bloody Indian war continued on the northwestern frontier. The warring tribes were encouraged by the British, who retained military posts in the northwest. Further, the Spanish denied Americans use of the Mississippi River. These problems limited the westward expansion to which Washington was committed. Growing partisanship within the government also concerned Washington.

Many men in the new government -- including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and other leaders of the emerging Republican party -- were opposed to Hamilton's financial program. Washington despised political partisanship but could do little to slow the development of political parties. During his first term Washington toured the northern and southern states and found that the new government enjoyed the general support of the American people.

Convinced that the government could get along without him, he planned to step down at the end of his first term. But his cabinet members convinced him that he alone could command the respect of members of georg washington biography burgeoning political parties. Thomas Jefferson visited Washington at Mount Vernon to urge him to accept a second term.

Although longing to return home permanently, Washington reluctantly agreed. Washington's second term was dominated by foreign affairs and marred by a deepening partisanship in his own administration. Washington assumed the Presidency on the eve of the French Revolution, a time of great international crisis. The outbreak of a general European war in forced the crisis to the center of American politics.

Washington believed the national interest of the United States dictated neutrality. War would be disastrous for commerce and shatter the nation's finances. The country's future depended on the increase in wealth and opportunity that would come from commerce and westward expansion. One of Washington's most important accomplishments was keeping the United States out of the war, giving the new nation an opportunity to grow in strength while establishing the principle of neutrality that shaped American foreign policy for more than a century.

Although Washington's department heads agreed that the United States should remain neutral, disagreements over foreign policy aggravated partisan tensions among them. The disagreements were part of the deepening division between Federalists and Republicans. Opposition to federal policies developed into resistance to the law in as distillers in Western Pennsylvania rioted and refused to pay taxes.

Washington directed the army to restore order, a step applauded by Federalists and condemned by Republicans. Despite Washington's disappointment with the rise of partisanship, the last years of his Presidency were distinguished by important achievements. The long Indian war on the northwest frontier was won, Britain surrendered its forts in the northwest, and Spain opened the Mississippi to American commerce.

These achievements opened the West to settlement. Justice Kennedy talks about the role Washington played in establishing the office of the president. Finally retired from public service, George and Martha Washington returned to their beloved Mount Vernon where they would spend their final years. On Thursday, December 12,George Washington was out on horseback supervising farming activities from late morning until three in the afternoon.

The weather shifted from light snow to hail and then to rain. Upon Washington's return it was suggested that he change out of his wet riding clothes before dinner. Washington, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton had come to the conclusion that it wasn't amendments that were needed, but a new constitution that would give the national government more authority.

In the end, the Convention produced a plan for government that not only would address the country's current problems, but would endure through time. After the convention adjourned, Washington's reputation and support for the new government were indispensable to the ratification of the new U. The opposition was strident, if not organized, with many of America's leading political figures — including Patrick Henry and Sam Adams — condemning the proposed government as a grab for power.

Even in Washington's native Virginia, the Constitution was ratified by only one vote. Still hoping to retire to his beloved Mount Vernon, Washington was once again called upon to serve this country. During the presidential election ofhe received a vote from every elector to the Electoral College, the only president in American history to be elected by unanimous approval.

As the first president, Washington was astutely aware that his presidency would set a precedent for all that would follow. He carefully attended to the responsibilities and duties of his office, remaining vigilant to not emulate any European royal court. To that end, he preferred the title "Mr. President," instead of more imposing names that were suggested.

However, Congress persuaded him to accept the compensation to avoid giving the impression that only wealthy men could serve as president. Washington proved to be an able administrator. He surrounded himself with some of the most capable people in the country, appointing Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury and Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State.

He delegated authority wisely and consulted regularly with his cabinet listening to their advice before making a decision. Washington established broad-ranging presidential authority, but always with the highest integrity, exercising power with restraint and honesty. In doing so, he set a standard rarely met by his successors, but one that established an ideal by which all are judged.

During his first term, Washington adopted a series of measures proposed by Treasury Secretary Hamilton to reduce the nation's debt and place its finances on sound footing. His administration also established several peace treaties with Native American tribes and approved a bill establishing the nation's capital in a permanent district along the Potomac River.

Then, inWashington signed a bill authorizing Congress to place a tax on distilled spirits, which stirred protests in rural areas of Pennsylvania. Quickly, the protests turned into a full-scale defiance of federal law known as the Whiskey Rebellion. Washington invoked the Militia Act ofsummoning local militias from several states to put down the rebellion.

Washington personally took command, marching the troops into the areas of rebellion and demonstrating that the federal government would use force, when necessary, to enforce the law. This was also the only time a sitting U. In foreign affairs, Washington took a cautious approach, realizing that the weak young nation could not succumb to Europe's political intrigues.

InFrance and Great Britain were once again at war. At the urging of Hamilton, Washington disregarded the U. Inhe sent John Jay to Britain to negotiate a treaty known as the "Jay Treaty" to secure a peace with Britain and clear up some issues held over from the Revolutionary War. The action infuriated Jefferson, who supported the French and felt that the U.

Washington was able to mobilize public support for the treaty, which proved decisive in securing ratification in the Senate. Though controversial, the treaty proved beneficial to the United States by removing British forts along the western frontier, establishing a clear boundary between Canada and the United States, and most importantly, delaying a war with Britain and providing over a decade of prosperous trade and development the fledgling country so desperately needed.

All through his two terms as president, Washington was dismayed at the growing partisanship within the government and the nation. The power bestowed on the federal government by the Constitution made for important decisions, and people joined together to influence those decisions. The formation of political parties at first were influenced more by personality than by issues.

As Treasury secretary, Hamilton pushed for a strong national government and an economy built in industry. Secretary of State Jefferson desired to keep government small and center power more at the local level, where citizens' freedom could be better protected. He envisioned an economy based on farming. Washington despised political partisanship, believing that ideological differences should never become institutionalized.

He strongly felt that political leaders should be free to debate important issues without being bound by party loyalty. However, Washington could do little to slow the development of political parties. The ideals promoted by Hamilton and Jefferson produced a two-party system that proved remarkably durable. These opposing viewpoints represented a continuation of the debate over the proper role of government, a debate that began with the conception of the Constitution and continues today.

Washington's administration was not without its critics who questioned what they saw as extravagant conventions in the office of the president. During his two terms, Washington rented the best houses available and was driven in a coach drawn by four horses, with outriders and lackeys in rich uniforms.

Georg washington biography: George Washington was a Founding Father

After being overwhelmed by callers, he announced that except for the scheduled weekly reception open to all, he would only see people by appointment. Washington entertained lavishly, but in private dinners and receptions at invitation only. He was, by some, accused of conducting himself like a king. However, ever mindful his presidency would set the precedent for those to follow, he was careful to avoid the trappings of a monarchy.

At public ceremonies, he did not appear in a military uniform or the monarchical robes. Instead, he dressed in a black velvet suit with gold buckles and powdered hair, as was the common custom. His reserved manner was more due to inherent reticence than any excessive sense of dignity. Desiring to return to Mount Vernon and his farming, and feeling the decline of his physical powers with age, Washington refused to yield to the pressures to serve a third term, even though he would probably not have faced any opposition.

By doing this, he was again mindful of the precedent of being the "first president," and chose to establish a peaceful transition of government. In the last months of his presidency, Washington felt he needed to give his country one last measure of himself. With the help of Hamilton, he composed his Farewell Address to the American people, which urged his fellow citizens to cherish the Union and avoid partisanship and permanent foreign alliances.

In Marchhe turned over the government to John Adams and returned to Mount Vernon, determined to live his last years as a simple gentleman farmer. His last official act was to pardon the participants in the Whiskey Rebellion.