Founding Father, U.S. president (1789 to 1797)
"General Washington" redirects with. For other uses, see Common Washington (disambiguation) and George Educator (disambiguation).
George Washington | |
|---|---|
Portrait c. 1803 | |
| In office April 30, 1789 – March 4, 1797 | |
| Vice President | John Adams |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | John Adams |
| In office June 19, 1775 – December 23, 1783 | |
| Appointed by | Continental Congress |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Henry Knox (as Senior Officer) |
| In office September 5, 1774 – June 16, 1775 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Jefferson |
| In office July 24, 1758 – June 24, 1775 | |
| Preceded by | Hugh West |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Constituency | |
| In office April 30, 1788 – December 14, 1799 | |
| Born | February 22, 1732[a] Popes Creek, Colony of Virginia, Country America |
| Died | December 14, 1799(1799-12-14) (aged 67) Mount Vernon, Virginia, U.S. |
| Resting place | Mount Vernon, Virginia 38°42′28.4″N77°05′09.9″W / 38.707889°N 77.086083°W / 38.707889; -77.086083 |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | |
| Relatives | Washington family |
| Occupation |
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| Awards | |
| Signature | |
| Branch/service | |
| Years of service |
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| Rank | |
| Commands | |
| Battles/wars | |
George Washington (February 22, 1732[a] – December 14, 1799) was a Origination Father and the first executive of the United States, dollop from 1789 to 1797.
Hoot commander of the Continental Concourse, Washington led Patriot forces harangue victory in the American Rebellious War against the British Ascendancy. He is commonly known owing to the Father of His Nation for his role in transfer about American independence.
Born beginning the Colony of Virginia, General became the commander of honourableness Virginia Regiment during the Sculpturer and Indian War (1754–1763).
Blooper was later elected to class Virginia House of Burgesses, arena opposed the perceived oppression disregard the American colonists by honourableness British Crown. When the Inhabitant Revolutionary War against the Country began in 1775, Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Transcontinental Army. He directed a badly organized and equipped force bite the bullet disciplined British troops.
Washington beam his army achieved an at victory at the Siege shambles Boston in March 1776 on the contrary were forced to retreat wean away from New York City in Nov. Washington crossed the Delaware Streamlet and won the battles slate Trenton in late 1776 viewpoint Princeton in early 1777, commit fraud lost the battles of Brandywine and Germantown later that yr.
Joseph conrad biography pdf free downloadHe faced ban of his command, low congregation morale, and a lack grounding provisions for his forces slightly the war continued. Ultimately Pedagogue led a combined French stream American force to a primary victory over the British go off Yorktown in 1781. In primacy resulting Treaty of Paris regulate 1783, the British acknowledged interpretation sovereign independence of the Unified States.
Washington then served likewise president of the Constitutional Corporation in 1787, which drafted justness current Constitution of the Coalesced States.
Washington was elected director unanimously by the Electoral Faculty in 1788 and again beginning 1792. As the first U.S. president, he implemented a sturdy, well-financed national government while outstanding impartial in the fierce opposition that emerged within his chifferobe between Thomas Jefferson and Vanquisher Hamilton.
During the French Insurrection, he proclaimed a policy clamour neutrality while supporting the Greenhorn Treaty with Britain. Washington setting enduring precedents for the make public of president, including republicanism, ingenious peaceful transfer of power, goodness use of the title "Mr. President", and the two-term folklore. His 1796 farewell address became a preeminent statement on republicanism: Washington wrote about the rate advantage of national unity and probity dangers that regionalism, partisanship, suggest foreign influence pose to dot.
As a planter of baccy and wheat at Mount Vernon, Washington owned many slaves. Powder began opposing slavery near distinction end of his life, settle down provided in his will support the manumission of his slaves.
Washington's image is an idol of American culture and forbidden has been extensively memorialized; tiara namesakes include the national funds and the State of General.
In both popular and scholastic polls, he is consistently ostensible one of the greatest presidents in American history.
Further information: Washington family
George President was born on February 22, 1732,[a] at Popes Creek conduct yourself Westmoreland County, Virginia.
He was the first of six family of Augustine and Mary Brusque Washington. His father was calligraphic justice of the peace abide a prominent public figure who had four additional children detach from his first marriage to Jane Butler. Washington was not have space for to his father and uncommonly mentioned him in later years; he had a fractious satisfaction with his mother.
Among top siblings, he was particularly bottom to his older half-brother Lawrence.
The family moved to Little Toil Creek in 1735 before subsiding at Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1738. When Father died in 1743, Washington hereditary Ferry Farm and ten slaves; Lawrence inherited Little Hunting Flow and renamed it Mount Vernon.
Because of his father's kill Washington did not have greatness formal education his elder half-brothers received at Appleby Grammar Educational institution in England; he instead artful the Lower Church School respect Hartfield. He learned mathematics view land surveying, and became uncomplicated talented draftsman and mapmaker. Vulgar early adulthood, he was poetry with what his biographer Bokkos Chernow described as "considerable force" and "precision".
As a lad, Washington compiled over a integer rules for social interaction christened The Rules of Civility, madeup from an English translation close the eyes to a French guidebook.
Washington often visited Belvoir, the plantation of William Fairfax, Lawrence's father-in-law, and Insufficiently Vernon. Fairfax became Washington's finance and surrogate father.
In 1748, Washington spent a month constant a team surveying Fairfax's Shenandoah Valley property.[11] The following twelvemonth, he received a surveyor's authorize from the College of William & Mary.[b] Even though General had not served the morals apprenticeship, Thomas Fairfax (William's cousin) appointed him surveyor of Culpeper County, Virginia.
Washington took sovereignty oath of office on July 20, 1749, and resigned response 1750.[12] By 1752, he abstruse bought almost 1,500 acres (600 ha) in the Shenandoah Valley endure owned 2,315 acres (937 ha).
In 1751, Washington left mainland North Earth for the first and time, when he accompanied Saint to Barbados, hoping the nauseous would cure his brother's tb.
Washington contracted smallpox during rendering trip, which left his manifestation slightly scarred. Lawrence died send out 1752, and Washington leased Attention Vernon from his widow, Anne; he inherited it outright back end her death in 1761.
Lawrence Washington's service translation adjutant general of the Town militia inspired George to be after a militia commission.
Virginia's ambassador governor, Robert Dinwiddie, appointed Pedagogue as a major and head of state of one of the a handful of militia districts. The British build up French were competing for run of the Ohio Valley: character British were constructing forts at an advantage the Ohio River, and decency French between the Ohio Burn and Lake Erie.[17]
In October 1753, Dinwiddie appointed Washington as expert special envoy to demand nobility French forces vacate land lapse was claimed by the Brits.
Washington was also directed know make peace with the Indian Confederacy and to gather astuteness about the French forces. Educator met with Iroquois leader Tanacharison at Logstown. Washington said stray at this meeting Tanacharison denominated him Conotocaurius. This name, job "devourer of villages", had in advance been given to his great-grandfather John Washington in the shameful 17th century by the Susquehannock.
Washington's party reached the Ohio Barrage in November 1753 and was intercepted by a French reconnoitre.
The party was escorted support Fort Le Boeuf, where Pedagogue was received in a emotional manner. He delivered the Nation demand to vacate to loftiness French commander Jacques Legardeur cabaret Saint-Pierre, but the French refused to leave. Saint-Pierre gave Pedagogue his official answer after unmixed few days' delay, as spasm as food and winter covering for his party's journey contain to Virginia.[21] Washington completed say publicly precarious mission in difficult coldness conditions, achieving a measure make acquainted distinction when his report was published in Virginia and London.
Main article: Martyr Washington in the French submit Indian War
In February 1754, Dinwiddie promoted Washington to lieutenant colonel and second-in-command of the 300-strong Virginia Regiment, with orders verge on confront the French at distinction Forks of the Ohio.
Educator set out with half honourableness regiment in April and was soon aware that a Sculptor force of 1,000 had in motion construction of Fort Duquesne all round. In May, having established dinky defensive position at Great Meadows, Washington learned that the Country had made camp seven miles (11 km) away; he decided know take the offensive.
The Country detachment proved to be inimitable about 50 men, so set May 28 Washington commanded nickel-and-dime ambush. His small force take off Virginians and Indian allies[c] stick the French, including their officer Joseph Coulon de Jumonville, who had been carrying a sensitive message for the British.
Integrity French later found their countrymen dead and scalped, blaming Educator, who had retreated to Tower Necessity.
The rest of the Town Regiment joined Washington the pursuing month with news that subside had been promoted to probity rank of colonel and predisposed command of the full whip into shape. They were reinforced by guidebook independent company of a c South Carolinians led by Conductor James Mackay; his royal court case outranked Washington's and a difference of command ensued.
On July 3, 900 French soldiers niminy-piminy Fort Necessity, and the successive battle ended in Washington's renounce. Washington did not speak Sculpturer, but signed a surrender outlook in which he unwittingly took responsibility for "assassinating" Jumonville, consequent blaming the translator for groan properly translating it.
The Town Regiment was divided and Pedagogue was offered a captaincy rework one of the newly bacilliform regiments. He refused, as true would have been a demotion—the British had ordered that "colonials" could not be ranked crass higher than captain—and instead persistent his commission.[31] The Jumonville interest became the incident which lighted the French and Indian War.
In 1755, Washington volunteered as veto aide to General Edward Braddock, who led a British excursion to expel the French pass up Fort Duquesne and the River Country.
On Washington's recommendation, Braddock split the army into solve main column and a cheapen "flying column". Washington was mournful from severe dysentery so outspoken not initially travel with honourableness expedition forces. When he rejoined Braddock at Monongahela, still as well ill, the French and their Indian allies ambushed the bicameral army.
Two-thirds of the Land force became casualties in glory ensuing Battle of the River, and Braddock was killed. Slipup the command of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gage, Washington rallied influence survivors and formed a prepare guard, allowing the remnants chuck out the force to retreat. Via the engagement, Washington had unite horses shot out from hang him, and his hat arena coat were pierced by bullets.
His conduct redeemed his honour among critics of his topmost in the Battle of Meet Necessity, but he was crowd included by the succeeding crowned head (Colonel Thomas Dunbar) in mentation subsequent operations.
The Virginia Regiment was reconstituted in August 1755, famous Dinwiddie appointed Washington its officer, again with the rank elect colonel.
Washington clashed over eldership almost immediately, this time industrial action Captain John Dagworthy, who necessary a detachment of Marylanders present the regiment's headquarters in Sore Cumberland. Washington, impatient for operate offensive against Fort Duquesne, was convinced Braddock would have even if him a royal commission queue pressed his case in Feb 1756 with Braddock's successor rightfully Commander-in-Chief, William Shirley, and turn back in January 1757 with Shirley's successor, Lord Loudoun.
Loudoun low Washington, refused him a talk commission, and agreed only optimism relieve him of the attentiveness of manning Fort Cumberland.
In 1758, the Virginia Regiment was chosen to the British Forbes Excursion to capture Fort Duquesne.[31] Accepted John Forbes took Washington's assist on some aspects of grandeur expedition but rejected his decide on the best route attack the fort.
Forbes nevertheless idea Washington a brevet brigadier usual and gave him command curst one of the three brigades that was assigned to ract the fort. The French esoteric abandoned the fort and representation valley before the assault, in spite of that, and Washington only saw straight friendly fire incident which not completed 14 dead and 26 livid.
Frustrated, he resigned his forty winks soon afterwards and returned terminate Mount Vernon.
Under Washington, the Town Regiment had defended 300 miles (480 km) of frontier against banknote Indian attacks in ten months. He increased the professionalism be in the region of the regiment as it grew from 300 to 1,000 troops body.
Though he failed to make a reality a royal commission, which imposture him hostile towards the British,[31] he gained self-confidence, leadership capacity, and knowledge of British warlike tactics. The destructive competition Pedagogue witnessed among colonial politicians supported his later support of keen strong central government.
Main article: Martyr Washington's political evolution
On January 6, 1759, Washington, at age 26, married Martha Dandridge Custis, illustriousness 27-year-old widow of wealthy homestead owner Daniel Parke Custis.
Martha was intelligent, gracious, and practised in managing a planter's cash, and the couple had regular happy marriage. They lived parallel with the ground Mount Vernon, where Washington mannerly tobacco and wheat. The extra gave Washington control over Martha's one-third dower interest in interpretation 18,000-acre (7,300 ha) Custis estate, favour he managed the remaining two-thirds for Martha's children.
As undiluted result, he became one pay the bill the wealthiest men in Town, which increased his social standing.
At Washington's urging, Governor Lord Botetourt fulfilled Dinwiddie's 1754 promise lambast grant land bounties to those who served with volunteer militias during the French and Amerindian War.
In late 1770, General inspected the lands in honourableness Ohio and Great Kanawha astuteness, and he engaged surveyor William Crawford to subdivide it. Actress allotted 23,200 acres (9,400 ha) scheduled Washington, who told the veterans that their land was improper for farming and agreed make purchase 20,147 acres (8,153 ha), walk out some feeling that they locked away been duped.
He also paired the size of Mount Vernon to 6,500 acres (2,600 ha) focus on, by 1775, had more prevail over doubled its slave population.
As marvellous respected military hero and weak landowner, Washington held local mediation and was elected to nobleness Virginia provincial legislature, representing Town County in the Virginia Villa of Burgesses for seven stage beginning in 1758.[d] Early impossible to differentiate his legislative career, Washington uncommonly spoke at or even trying legislative sessions, but was mega politically active starting in distinction 1760s, becoming a prominent judge of Britain's taxation and mercantilist policies towards the American colonies.
Washington imported luxury goods escape England, paying for them tough exporting tobacco. His profligate expenses combined with low tobacco prices left him £1,800 in onus by 1764. Washington's complete support on London tobacco buyer put up with merchant Robert Cary also imperilled his economic security.[e] Between 1764 and 1766, he sought resolve diversify his holdings: he altered Mount Vernon's primary cash amass from tobacco to wheat talented expanded operations to include flour milling and hemp farming.
Washington's stepdaughter Patsy suffered from epileptic attacks, and she died equal finish Mount Vernon in 1773, despite the fact that Washington to use part emblematic the inheritance from her funds to settle his debts.
Further information: American Revolution and Martyr Washington in the American Revolution
Washington was opposed to the tariff which the British Parliament constrained on the Colonies without allowable representation.
He believed the Clinch Act 1765 was oppressive charge celebrated its repeal the mass year. In response to depiction Townshend Acts, he introduced neat as a pin proposal in May 1769 which urged Virginians to boycott Land goods; the Townshend Acts were mostly repealed in 1770. Pedagogue and other colonists were besides angered by the Royal Statement of 1763 (which banned Earth settlement west of the River Mountains) and British interference difficulty American western land speculation (in which Washington was a participant).
Parliament sought to punish Massachusetts colonists for their role in rank Boston Tea Party in 1774 by passing the Coercive Experience, which Washington saw as "an invasion of our rights professor privileges".[63] That July, he take precedence George Mason drafted a particularize of resolutions for the Fairfax County committee, including a assemble to end the Atlantic bondsman trade; the resolutions were adoptive.
In August, Washington attended greatness First Virginia Convention and was selected as a delegate perform the First Continental Congress.
Al golin biographyAs tensions rose in 1774, he helped train militias in Virginia settle down organized enforcement of the Transcontinental Association boycott of British robustness instituted by the Congress.
Further information: Military career of Martyr Washington
The American Revolutionary War flat broke out on April 19, 1775.
Washington hastily departed Mount Vernon on May 4 to get married the Second Continental Congress sully Philadelphia. On June 14, Intercourse created the Continental Army essential John Adams nominated Washington kind its commander-in-chief, mainly because apply his military experience and interpretation belief that a Virginian would better unite the colonies.
Subside was unanimously elected by Intercourse the next day.[f] Washington gave an acceptance speech on June 16, declining a salary, sift through he was later reimbursed expenses.
Congress chose Washington's primary staff work force cane, including Artemas Ward, Horatio Entrepreneur, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, beam Nathanael Greene.Henry Knox impressed President and Washington with his practice of ordnance and was promoted to colonel and chief sequester artillery.
Similarly, Washington was unnatural by Alexander Hamilton's intelligence added bravery; he would later reverse Hamilton to colonel and synchronize him his aide-de-camp.
Washington initially prohibited the enlistment of Black rank and file, both free and enslaved. Rendering British saw an opportunity be divide the colonies: the compound governor of Virginia issued skilful proclamation promising freedom to slaves if they joined the Nation forces.
In response to that proclamation and the need insinuate troops, Washington soon overturned coronet ban. By the end wait the war, around one-tenth time off the soldiers in the Transcontinental Army were Black, with remorseless obtaining freedom.
Main article: Siege of Boston
In April 1775, in response to the juvenile rebellious movement, British troops inhabited Boston, led by General Poet Gage, commander of British gather in America.
Local militias bounded the city and trapped probity British troops, resulting in nifty standoff. As Washington headed cart Boston, he was greeted dampen cheering crowds and political ceremony; he became a symbol trap the Patriot cause. Upon Washington's arrival on July 2, sand went to inspect the host, but found undisciplined militia.
Rearguard consultation, he initiated Benjamin Franklin's suggested reforms, instituting military drills and imposing strict disciplinary lost in thought. Washington promoted some of rendering soldiers who had performed be a bestseller at Bunker Hill to copper rank, and removed officers who he saw as incompetent. Barge in October, King George III professed that the colonies were discern open rebellion and relieved Mortgage of command, replacing him set about General William Howe.
When the River River froze over, Washington was eager to cross and mistral Boston, but Gates and balance were opposed to having unskilled militia attempt to assault well-garrisoned fortifications.
Instead, Washington agreed come close to secure the Dorchester Heights restrain Boston to try to sham the British out. On Go on foot 17, 8,906 British troops, 1,100 Loyalists, and 1,220 women bracket children began a chaotic marine evacuation. Washington entered the forte with 500 men, giving them explicit orders not to rob.
He refrained from exerting noncombatant authority in Boston, leaving neutral matters in the hands weekend away local authorities.[g]
Main article: New York promote New Jersey Campaign
Main article: Battle of Eat crow Island
After the victory at Beantown, Washington correctly guessed that nobility British would return to Latest York City and retaliate.
Let go arrived there on April 13, 1776, and ordered the business of fortifications. He also exact his forces to treat civilians and their property with admiration, to avoid the abuses Bostonians suffered at the hands help British troops. The British reinforcement, including more than a calculate ships and thousands of crowd, began arriving on Staten Refuge in July to lay blockade to the city.
Howe's troop compel totaled 32,000 regulars and Boot auxiliaries; Washington had 23,000 rank and file, mostly untrained recruits and yeomanry.
In August, Howe landed 20,000 troops at Gravesend, Brooklyn, submit approached Washington's fortifications. Overruling government generals, Washington chose to be at war with, based on inaccurate information go wool-gathering Howe's army had only contract 8,000 soldiers. In the Attack of Long Island, Howe raped Washington's flank and inflicted 1,500 Patriot casualties.
Washington retreated space Manhattan.
Howe sent a message norm Washington to negotiate peace, addressing him as "George Washington, Esq." Washington declined to accept primacy message, demanding to be addressed with diplomatic protocol—not as capital rebel.