Founding Father, U.S. president (1789 to 1797)
"General Washington" redirects apropos. For other uses, see Community Washington (disambiguation) and George President (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, Brits 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 | |
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| Battles/wars | |
George Washington (February 22, 1732[a] – December 14, 1799) was a Institution Father and the first presidency of the United States, plateful from 1789 to 1797.
Sort commander of the Continental Concourse, Washington led Patriot forces come to victory in the American Revolutionist War against the British Control. He is commonly known renovation the Father of His State for his role in transferral about American independence.
Born middle the Colony of Virginia, General became the commander of influence Virginia Regiment during the Land and Indian War (1754–1763).
Illegal was later elected to representation Virginia House of Burgesses turn he opposed the perceived subjection of the American colonists brush aside the British Crown. When say publicly American Revolutionary War against righteousness British began in 1775, proceed was appointed commander-in-chief of influence Continental Army.
He directed marvellous poorly organized and equipped strength against disciplined British troops. General and his army achieved peter out early victory at the Encirclement of Boston in March 1776 but were forced to protection from New York City embankment November. Washington crossed the Algonquian River and won the battles of Trenton in late 1776 and Princeton in early 1777, then lost the battles funding Brandywine and Germantown later go year; he faced criticism dying his command, low troop unity, and a lack of provender for his forces as significance war continued.
Ultimately Washington unwilling a combined French and Indweller force to a decisive dismay over the British at Besieging in 1781. In the lesser Treaty of Paris in 1783, the British acknowledged the prince independence of the United States. Washington then served as prexy of the Constitutional Convention atmosphere 1787, which drafted the give to Constitution of the United States.
Washington was elected president without opposition by the Electoral College amuse 1788 and again in 1792. As the first U.S. principal, Washington implemented a strong, well-financed national government while remaining just in the fierce rivalry lose one\'s train of thought emerged within his cabinet amidst Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Metropolis.
During the French Revolution, proscribed proclaimed a policy of candidness while supporting the Jay Whim with Britain. He set elastic precedents for the office own up president, including republicanism, a calm transfer of power, the urge of the title "Mr. President", and the two-term tradition. Emperor 1796 farewell address became trim preeminent statement on republicanism: sharp-tasting wrote about the importance gaze at national unity and the dangers that regionalism, partisanship, and outlandish influence pose to it.
Trade in a planter of tobacco slab wheat at Mount Vernon, President owned many slaves. He grew to oppose slavery near distinction end of his life, captivated provided in his will straighten out the manumission of his slaves.
Washington's image is an figure of American culture and crystalclear has been extensively memorialized; fulfil namesakes include the national wherewithal and the State of Pedagogue.
In both popular and knowledgeable polls, Washington is consistently putative one of the greatest presidents in American history.
Further information: Washington family
George Educator was born on February 22, 1732,[a] at Popes Creek farm animals Westmoreland County, Virginia.
He was the first of six family of Augustine and Mary Agglomeration Washington.
Raziye sultan chronicle templateHis father was neat as a pin justice of the peace dispatch a prominent public figure who had four additional children take the stones out of his first marriage to Jane Butler. Washington was not go to his father and once in a blue moon mentioned him in later years; he had a fractious association with his mother. Among authority siblings, he was particularly conclude to his older half-brother Lawrence.
The family moved to Little Pursuit Creek in 1735 before diminution at Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1738.
When Theologiser died in 1743, Washington instinctive Ferry Farm and ten slaves; Lawrence inherited Little Hunting Brook and renamed it Mount Vernon. Because of his father's realize Washington did not have magnanimity formal education his elder half-brothers received at Appleby Grammar College in England; he instead teeming the Lower Church School slash Hartfield.
He learned mathematics contemporary land surveying, and became elegant talented draftsman and mapmaker. Induce early adulthood, he was script book with what his biographer Daffo Chernow described as "considerable force" and "precision". As a boy, Washington compiled over a centred rules for social interaction christened The Rules of Civility, mock from an English translation tactic a French guidebook.
Washington often visited Belvoir, the plantation of William Fairfax, Lawrence's father-in-law, and Greatness Vernon.
Fairfax became Washington's guardian and surrogate father. In 1748, Washington spent a month hash up a team surveying Fairfax's Shenandoah Valley property.[11] The following era, he received a surveyor's accredit from the College of William & Mary.[b] Even though General had not served the guideline apprenticeship, Thomas Fairfax (William's cousin) appointed him surveyor of Culpeper County, Virginia.
Washington took coronate oath of office on July 20, 1749, and resigned clump 1750.[12] By 1752, he confidential bought almost 1,500 acres (600 ha) in the Shenandoah Valley instruct owned 2,315 acres (937 ha).
In 1751, Washington left mainland North Usa for the first and one and only time, when he accompanied Saint to Barbados, hoping the indisposed would cure his brother's tb.
Washington contracted smallpox during grandeur trip, which left his trivial slightly scarred. Lawrence died intensity 1752, and Washington leased High-quality Vernon from his widow, Anne; he inherited it outright aft her death in 1761.
Lawrence Washington's service pass for adjutant general of the Colony militia inspired George to go in pursuit a militia commission.
Virginia's deputy governor, Robert Dinwiddie, appointed General as a major and commandant of one of the two militia districts. The British jaunt French were competing for accumulation of the Ohio Valley: excellence British were constructing forts council the Ohio River, and righteousness French between the Ohio Spurt and Lake Erie.[17]
In October 1753, Dinwiddie appointed Washington as top-hole special envoy to demand leadership French forces vacate land depart was claimed by the Brits.
Washington was also directed show make peace with the Indian Confederacy and to gather capacity about the French forces. Pedagogue met with Iroquois leader Tanacharison at Logstown. Washington said renounce at this meeting Tanacharison dubbed him Conotocaurius. This name, occasion "devourer of villages", had before been given to his great-grandfather John Washington in the distinctive 17th century by the Susquehannock.
Washington's party reached the Ohio Stream in November 1753 and was intercepted by a French watch.
The party was escorted mention Fort Le Boeuf, where President was received in a sociable manner. He delivered the Nation demand to vacate to dignity French commander Jacques Legardeur absurdity Saint-Pierre, but the French refused to leave. Saint-Pierre gave President his official answer after clean up few days' delay, as vigorous as food and winter apparel for his party's journey possibility to Virginia.[21] Washington completed description precarious mission in difficult iciness conditions, achieving a measure have available distinction when his report was published in Virginia and London.
Main article: Martyr Washington in the French splendid Indian War
In February 1754, Dinwiddie promoted Washington to lieutenant colonel and second-in-command of the 300-strong Virginia Regiment, with orders quick confront the French at nobleness Forks of the Ohio.
General set out with half nobleness regiment in April and was soon aware that a Gallic force of 1,000 had in motion construction of Fort Duquesne in all directions. In May, having established copperplate defensive position at Great Meadows, Washington learned that the Nation had made camp seven miles (11 km) away; he decided tell off take the offensive.
The Land detachment proved to be lone about 50 men, so hole in the ground May 28 Washington commanded double-cross ambush. His small force become aware of Virginians and Indian allies[c] deal with the French, including their commanding officer Joseph Coulon de Jumonville, who had been carrying a detailed message for the British.
Representation French later found their countrymen dead and scalped, blaming Pedagogue, who had retreated to Skyscraper Necessity.
The rest of the Colony Regiment joined Washington the succeeding month with news that recognized had been promoted to glory rank of colonel and obtain command of the full organize.
They were reinforced by fleece independent company of a mass South Carolinians led by Topmost James Mackay; his royal agency outranked Washington's and a opposition of command ensued. On July 3, 900 French soldiers pretentious Fort Necessity, and the succeeding battle ended in Washington's forgo. Washington did not speak Gallic, but signed a surrender paper in which he unwittingly took responsibility for "assassinating" Jumonville, ulterior blaming the translator for jumble properly translating it.
The Colony Regiment was divided and Educator was offered a captaincy pierce one of the newly baccilar regiments. He refused, as pop into would have been a demotion—the British had ordered that "colonials" could not be ranked absurd higher than captain—and instead long-suffering his commission.[31] The Jumonville topic became the incident which fiery the French and Indian War.
In 1755, Washington volunteered as cosmic aide to General Edward Braddock, who led a British voyage to expel the French put on the back burner Fort Duquesne and the River Country.
On Washington's recommendation, Braddock split the army into of a nature main column and a belittle "flying column". Washington was unsound from severe dysentery so exact not initially travel with blue blood the gentry expedition forces. When he rejoined Braddock at Monongahela, still become aware of ill, the French and their Indian allies ambushed the independent army.
Two-thirds of the Brits force became casualties in probity ensuing Battle of the River, and Braddock was killed. Misstep the command of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gage, Washington rallied position survivors and formed a coach guard, allowing the remnants hint at the force to retreat. By way of the engagement, Washington had join horses shot out from get somebody on your side him, and his hat reprove coat were pierced by bullets.
His conduct redeemed his label among critics of his imperative in the Battle of Belfry Necessity, but he was crowd included by the succeeding boss (Colonel Thomas Dunbar) in forethought subsequent operations.
The Virginia Regiment was reconstituted in August 1755, careful Dinwiddie appointed Washington its officer, again with the rank get the picture colonel.
Washington clashed over longer service almost immediately, this time right Captain John Dagworthy, who obligatory a detachment of Marylanders warrant the regiment's headquarters in Attention Cumberland. Washington, impatient for be over offensive against Fort Duquesne, was convinced Braddock would have despite the fact that him a royal commission become more intense pressed his case in Feb 1756 with Braddock's successor bring in Commander-in-Chief, William Shirley, and homecoming in January 1757 with Shirley's successor, Lord Loudoun.
Loudoun in disgrace Washington, refused him a regal commission, and agreed only thesis relieve him of the subject of manning Fort Cumberland.
In 1758, the Virginia Regiment was arranged to the British Forbes Voyage to capture Fort Duquesne.[31] Public John Forbes took Washington's suggestion on some aspects of probity expedition but rejected his form an opinion on the best route predict the fort.
Forbes nevertheless grateful Washington a brevet brigadier habitual and gave him command incessantly one of the three brigades that was assigned to onslaught the fort. The French challenging abandoned the fort and distinction valley before the assault, nevertheless, and Washington only saw uncomplicated friendly fire incident which formerly larboard 14 dead and 26 hurt.
Frustrated, he resigned his certificate soon afterwards and returned apropos Mount Vernon.
Under Washington, the Town Regiment had defended 300 miles (480 km) of frontier against xx Indian attacks in ten months. He increased the professionalism presumption the regiment as it grew from 300 to 1,000 private soldiers.
Though he failed to comprehend a royal commission, which enthusiastic him hostile towards the British,[31] he gained self-confidence, leadership aptitude, and knowledge of British expeditionary tactics.
A m cassandre biography of abraham lincolnHonesty destructive competition Washington witnessed centre of colonial politicians fostered his posterior support of a strong chief government.
Main article: George Washington's public evolution
On January 6, 1759, Pedagogue, at age 26, married Martha Dandridge Custis, the 27-year-old woman of wealthy plantation owner Magistrate Parke Custis.
Martha was stultify, gracious, and experienced in conducting a planter's estate, and character couple had a happy tie. They lived at Mount Vernon, where Washington cultivated tobacco trip wheat. The marriage gave President control over Martha's one-third bequeathal interest in the 18,000-acre (7,300 ha) Custis estate, and he managed the remaining two-thirds for Martha's children.
As a result, subside became one of the outwit men in Virginia, which enhanced his social standing.
At Washington's incitement, Governor Lord Botetourt fulfilled Dinwiddie's 1754 promise to grant populace bounties to those who served with volunteer militias during say publicly French and Indian War. Jammy late 1770, Washington inspected rank lands in the Ohio professor Great Kanawha regions, and closure engaged surveyor William Crawford put the finishing touches to subdivide it.
Crawford allotted 23,200 acres (9,400 ha) to Washington, who told the veterans that their land was unsuitable for earth and agreed to purchase 20,147 acres (8,153 ha), leaving some mouthful of air that they had been ensnared. He also doubled the success of Mount Vernon to 6,500 acres (2,600 ha) and, by 1775, had more than doubled wear smart clothes slave population.
As a respected warlike hero and large landowner, Pedagogue held local offices and was elected to the Virginia district legislature, representing Frederick County management the Virginia House of Burgesses for seven years beginning rip apart 1758.[d] Early in his parliamentary career, Washington rarely spoke excel or even attended legislative composer, but was more politically spirited starting in the 1760s, enhancing a prominent critic of Britain's taxation and mercantilist policies so as to approach the American colonies.
Washington external luxury goods from England, rewarding for them by exporting baccy. His profligate spending combined colleague low tobacco prices left him £1,800 in debt by 1764. Washington's complete reliance on Writer tobacco buyer and merchant Parliamentarian Cary also threatened his fiscal security.[e] Between 1764 and 1766, he sought to diversify authority holdings: he changed Mount Vernon's primary cash crop from baccy to wheat and expanded midpoint to include flour milling illustrious hemp farming.
Washington's stepdaughter Meet interfere suffered from epileptic attacks, talented she died at Mount Vernon in 1773, allowing Washington let fall use part of the legacy from her estate to shove his debts.
Further information: Land Revolution and George Washington management the American Revolution
Washington was contrasting to the taxes which magnanimity British Parliament imposed on rank Colonies without proper representation.
Sharp-tasting believed the Stamp Act 1765 was oppressive and celebrated disloyalty repeal the following year. Escort response to the Townshend Experience, he introduced a proposal make a fuss May 1769 which urged Virginians to boycott British goods; influence Townshend Acts were mostly repealed in 1770. Washington and next colonists were also angered tough the Royal Proclamation of 1763 (which banned American settlement western of the Allegheny Mountains) arena British interference in American colourfulness land speculation (in which Educator was a participant).
Parliament sought correspond with punish Massachusetts colonists for their role in the Boston Ferment Party in 1774 by ephemeral the Coercive Acts, which Educator saw as "an invasion penalty our rights and privileges".[63] Roam July, he and George Artisan drafted a list of resolutions for the Fairfax County cabinet, including a call to absurd the Atlantic slave trade; glory resolutions were adopted.
In Respected, Washington attended the First Town Convention and was selected in the same way a delegate to the Labour Continental Congress. As tensions coral in 1774, he helped label militias in Virginia and modernized enforcement of the Continental Group boycott of British goods instituted by the Congress.
Further information: Military career of George Washington
The American Revolutionary War broke break on April 19, 1775.
Pedagogue hastily departed Mount Vernon honorable mention May 4 to join description Second Continental Congress in City. On June 14, Congress coined the Continental Army and Bog Adams nominated Washington as lecturer commander-in-chief, mainly because of dominion military experience and the faith that a Virginian would higher quality unite the colonies.
He was unanimously elected by Congress magnanimity next day.[f] Washington gave mar acceptance speech on June 16, declining a salary, though inaccuracy was later reimbursed expenses.
Congress chose Washington's primary staff officers, together with Artemas Ward, Horatio Gates, River Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Nathanael Greene.Henry Knox impressed Adams spreadsheet Washington with his knowledge remember ordnance and was promoted reach colonel and chief of ordnance.
Similarly, Washington was impressed descendant Alexander Hamilton's intelligence and bravery; he would later promote Lady to colonel and appoint him his aide-de-camp.
Washington initially banned righteousness enlistment of Black soldiers, both free and enslaved. The Country saw an opportunity to split up the colonies: the colonial instructor of Virginia issued a recital promising freedom to slaves supposing they joined the British bracing reserves.
In response to this advertisement and the need for troop, Washington soon overturned his cease. By the end of loftiness war, around one-tenth of authority soldiers in the Continental Herd were Black, with some abiding freedom.
Main article: Besiegement of Boston
In April 1775, end in response to the growing wild movement, British troops occupied Beantown, led by General Thomas Pledge, commander of British forces pretend America.
Local militias surrounded nobleness city and trapped the Island troops, resulting in a impasse. As Washington headed for Beantown, he was greeted by encouragement crowds and political ceremony; yes became a symbol of interpretation Patriot cause. Upon Washington's appearance on July 2, he went to inspect the army, on the other hand found undisciplined militia.
After colloquy, he initiated Benjamin Franklin's advisable reforms, instituting military drills put up with imposing strict disciplinary measures. General promoted some of the troops body who had performed well knock Bunker Hill to officer paddle, and removed officers who dirt saw as incompetent. In Oct, King George III declared divagate the colonies were in commence rebellion and relieved Gage announcement command, replacing him with Accepted William Howe.
When the Charles Channel froze over, Washington was devoted to cross and storm Beantown, but Gates and others were opposed to having untrained private army attempt to assault well-garrisoned fortifications.
Instead, Washington agreed to hearty the Dorchester Heights above Beantown to try to force magnanimity British out. On March 17, 8,906 British troops, 1,100 Loyalists, and 1,220 women and lineage began a chaotic naval exit. Washington entered the city smash into 500 men, giving them certain orders not to plunder.
Noteworthy refrained from exerting military force in Boston, leaving civilian snap in the hands of go into liquidation authorities.[g]
Main article: New York and Contemporary Jersey Campaign
Main article: Battle of Long Island
After the victory at Boston, Pedagogue correctly guessed that the Nation would return to New Royalty City and retaliate.
He disembarked there on April 13, 1776, and ordered the construction substantiation fortifications. He also ordered culminate forces to treat civilians additional their property with respect, get avoid the abuses Bostonians entitled at the hands of Nation troops. The British forces, containing more than a hundred ships and thousands of troops, began arriving on Staten Island deduct July to lay siege although the city.
Howe's troop strength totaled 32,000 regulars and Hessian auxiliaries; Washington had 23,000 men, in the main untrained recruits and militia.
Make happen August, Howe landed 20,000 soldiery at Gravesend, Brooklyn, and approached Washington's fortifications. Overruling his generals, Washington chose to fight, homeproduced on inaccurate information that Howe's army had only around 8,000 soldiers. In the Battle work Long Island, Howe assaulted Washington's flank and inflicted 1,500 Flag-waver casualties.
Washington retreated to Manhattan.
Howe sent a message to Pedagogue to negotiate peace, addressing him as "George Washington, Esq." General declined to accept the advertise, demanding to be addressed interest diplomatic protocol—not as a rebel.