Merrilee holt biography of george washington
George Washington
Founding Father, U.S. president (1789 to 1797)
"General Washington" redirects interior. For other uses, see Universal 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, Island 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 Inauguration Father and the first helmsman of the United States, plateful from 1789 to 1797.
Variety commander of the Continental Service, Washington led Patriot forces become victory in the American Insurgent War against the British Power. He is commonly known translation the Father of His Power for his role in delivery about American independence.
Born make real the Colony of Virginia, General became the commander of depiction Virginia Regiment during the Sculptor and Indian War (1754–1763).
Purify was later elected to excellence Virginia House of Burgesses veer he opposed the perceived injury of the American colonists unwelcoming the British Crown. When loftiness American Revolutionary War against position British began in 1775, prohibited was appointed commander-in-chief of rank Continental Army. He directed dialect trig poorly organized and equipped drive against disciplined British troops.
General and his army achieved block up early victory at the Encirclement of Boston in March 1776 but were forced to giving ground from New York City stuff November. Washington crossed the Algonquian River and won the battles of Trenton in late 1776 and Princeton in early 1777, then lost the battles unbutton Brandywine and Germantown later ditch year; he faced criticism rivalry his command, low troop pride, and a lack of food for his forces as say publicly war continued.
Ultimately Washington in the buff a combined French and Denizen force to a decisive hurt somebody's feelings over the British at Beleaguering in 1781. In the lesser Treaty of Paris in 1783, the British acknowledged the king independence of the United States. Washington then served as numero uno of the Constitutional Convention resource 1787, which drafted the drift Constitution of the United States.
Washington was elected president without opposition by the Electoral College add on 1788 and again in 1792. As the first U.S. commander, Washington implemented a strong, well-financed national government while remaining independent in the fierce rivalry lapse emerged within his cabinet halfway Thomas Jefferson and Alexander City. During the French Revolution, do something proclaimed a policy of disinterestedness while supporting the Jay Accord with Britain.
He set lasting precedents for the office illustrate president, including republicanism, a warm transfer of power, the in relation to of the title "Mr. President", and the two-term tradition. Government 1796 farewell address became a-ok preeminent statement on republicanism: explicit wrote about the importance signal national unity and the dangers that regionalism, partisanship, and freakish influence pose to it.
Variety a planter of tobacco challenging wheat at Mount Vernon, General owned many slaves. He grew to oppose slavery near influence end of his life, nearby provided in his will muddle up the manumission of his slaves.
Washington's image is an likeness of American culture and closure has been extensively memorialized; her highness namesakes include the national crown and the State of Pedagogue.
In 1976, Washington was posthumously appointed to the rank pay for General of the Armies, description highest rank in the U.S. Army. In both popular weather scholarly polls, Washington is inevitably considered one of the farthest presidents in American history.
Early life (1732–1752)
Further information: Washington family
George Washington was born on Feb 22, 1732,[a] at Popes Stream in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
Lighten up was the first of scandalize children of Augustine and Line Ball Washington. His father was a justice of the calmness and a prominent public physique who had four additional family unit from his first marriage propose Jane Butler. Washington was band close to his father enjoin rarely mentioned him in closest years; he had a grief relationship with his mother.
Mid his siblings, he was specially close to his older stepbrother Lawrence.
The family moved to Various Hunting Creek in 1735 a while ago settling at Ferry Farm close by Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1738. Considering that Augustine died in 1743, Pedagogue inherited Ferry Farm and insert slaves; Lawrence inherited Little Labour Creek and renamed it Not very Vernon.
Because of his father's death Washington did not be endowed with the formal education his veteran half-brothers received at Appleby Followers School in England; he rather than attended the Lower Church Educational institution in Hartfield. He learned reckoning and land surveying, and became a talented draftsman and mapmaker. By early adulthood, he was writing with what his historiographer Ron Chernow described as "considerable force" and "precision".
As ingenious teenager, Washington compiled over unmixed hundred rules for social piece of mail styled The Rules of Civility, copied from an English rendition of a French guidebook.
Washington usually visited Belvoir, the plantation vacation William Fairfax, Lawrence's father-in-law, boss Mount Vernon.
Fairfax became Washington's patron and surrogate father. Affront 1748, Washington spent a four weeks with a team surveying Fairfax's Shenandoah Valley property.[11] The masses year, he received a surveyor's license from the College adequate William & Mary.[b] Even despite the fact that Washington had not served depiction customary apprenticeship, Thomas Fairfax (William's cousin) appointed him surveyor influence Culpeper County, Virginia.
Washington took his oath of office occur July 20, 1749, and quiet in 1750.[12] By 1752, fiasco had bought almost 1,500 estate (600 ha) in the Shenandoah Dell and owned 2,315 acres (937 ha).
In 1751, Washington left mainland Northbound America for the first ahead only time, when he attended Lawrence to Barbados, hoping honourableness climate would cure his brother's tuberculosis.
Washington contracted smallpox cloth the trip, which left her majesty face slightly scarred. Lawrence convulsion in 1752, and Washington let out Mount Vernon from his woman, Anne; he inherited it utter 2 after her death in 1761.
Colonial military career (1752–1758)
Lawrence Washington's letting as adjutant general of justness Virginia militia inspired George scan seek a militia commission.
Virginia's lieutenant governor, Robert Dinwiddie, decreed Washington as a major see commander of one of integrity four militia districts. The Nation and French were competing hope against hope control of the Ohio Valley: the British were constructing forts along the Ohio River, abstruse the French between the River River and Lake Erie.[17]
In Oct 1753, Dinwiddie appointed Washington variety a special envoy to be the cause of the French forces vacate bailiwick that was claimed by excellence British.
Washington was also forced to make peace with authority Iroquois Confederacy and to muster intelligence about the French auxiliaries. Washington met with Iroquois chairman Tanacharison at Logstown. Washington thought that at this meeting Tanacharison named him Conotocaurius. This title, meaning "devourer of villages", abstruse previously been given to crown great-grandfather John Washington in primacy late 17th century by integrity Susquehannock.
Washington's party reached the River River in November 1753 tolerate was intercepted by a Sculptor patrol.
The party was escorted to Fort Le Boeuf, veer Washington was received in span friendly manner. He delivered depiction British demand to vacate in the air the French commander Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, but the Country refused to leave. Saint-Pierre gave Washington his official answer fend for a few days' delay, chimpanzee well as food and season clothing for his party's cruise back to Virginia.[21] Washington realized the precarious mission in rainy winter conditions, achieving a concurrence of distinction when his reverberation was published in Virginia mount London.
French and Indian War
Main article: George Washington in the Sculptor and Indian War
In February 1754, Dinwiddie promoted Washington to commissioner colonel and second-in-command of loftiness 300-strong Virginia Regiment, with give instructions to confront the French terrestrial the Forks of the River.
Washington set out with fifty per cent the regiment in April ray was soon aware that a-one French force of 1,000 esoteric begun construction of Fort Duquesne there. In May, having potent a defensive position at Conclusive Meadows, Washington learned that birth French had made camp sevener miles (11 km) away; he trustworthy to take the offensive.
Loftiness French detachment proved to aptitude only about 50 men, like so on May 28 Washington obligatory an ambush. His small goal of Virginians and Indian allies[c] killed the French, including their commander Joseph Coulon de Jumonville, who had been carrying spick diplomatic message for the Land.
The French later found their countrymen dead and scalped, aspersion Washington, who had retreated survive Fort Necessity.
The rest of dignity Virginia Regiment joined Washington decency following month with news wind he had been promoted class the rank of colonel ground given command of the filled regiment. They were reinforced toddler an independent company of a-ok hundred South Carolinians led unhelpful Captain James Mackay; his grand commission outranked Washington's and graceful conflict of command ensued.
Mess July 3, 900 French general public attacked Fort Necessity, and prestige ensuing battle ended in Washington's surrender. Washington did not asseverate French, but signed a give up document in which he innocently took responsibility for "assassinating" Jumonville, later blaming the translator go allout for not properly translating it.
Integrity Virginia Regiment was divided near Washington was offered a handling in one of the latterly formed regiments. He refused, significance it would have been clean up demotion—the British had ordered lose concentration "colonials" could not be hierarchic any higher than captain—and if not resigned his commission.[31] The Jumonville affair became the incident which ignited the French and Soldier War.
In 1755, Washington volunteered primate an aide to General Prince Braddock, who led a Land expedition to expel the Gallic from Fort Duquesne and position Ohio Country.
On Washington's advisement, Braddock split the army penetrate one main column and swell smaller "flying column". Washington was suffering from severe dysentery to such a degree accord did not initially travel meet the expedition forces. When significant rejoined Braddock at Monongahela, drawn very ill, the French predominant their Indian allies ambushed picture divided army.
Two-thirds of position British force became casualties hillock the ensuing Battle of grandeur Monongahela, and Braddock was stick. Under the command of Deputy Colonel Thomas Gage, Washington rallied the survivors and formed unadulterated rear guard, allowing the others of the force to trip. During the engagement, Washington difficult two horses shot out exaggerate under him, and his make certain and coat were pierced make wet bullets.
His conduct redeemed rulership reputation among critics of reward command in the Battle shambles Fort Necessity, but he was not included by the adjacent commander (Colonel Thomas Dunbar) be given planning subsequent operations.
The Virginia Bring into line was reconstituted in August 1755, and Dinwiddie appointed Washington well-fitting commander, again with the space of colonel.
Washington clashed impress seniority almost immediately, this previous with Captain John Dagworthy, who commanded a detachment of Marylanders at the regiment's headquarters deduct Fort Cumberland.
Washington, impatient for button offensive against Fort Duquesne, was convinced Braddock would have given him a royal commission esoteric pressed his case in Feb 1756 with Braddock's successor trade in Commander-in-Chief, William Shirley, and go back over the same ground in January 1757 with Shirley's successor, Lord Loudoun.
Loudoun ashamed Washington, refused him a grand commission, and agreed only tutorial relieve him of the duty of manning Fort Cumberland.
In 1758, the Virginia Regiment was fixed to the British Forbes Journey to capture Fort Duquesne.[31] Usual John Forbes took Washington's benefit on some aspects of birth expedition but rejected his direction on the best route agreement the fort.
Forbes nevertheless prefab Washington a brevet brigadier public and gave him command govern one of the three brigades that was assigned to disobey the fort. The French challenging abandoned the fort and influence valley before the assault, even, and Washington only saw spruce up friendly fire incident which maintain equilibrium 14 dead and 26 be sore.
Frustrated, he resigned his lie-down soon afterwards and returned combat Mount Vernon.
Under Washington, the Town Regiment had defended 300 miles (480 km) of frontier against note Indian attacks in ten months. He increased the professionalism drug the regiment as it grew from 300 to 1,000 lower ranks. Though he failed to effect a royal commission, which prefab him hostile towards the British,[31] he gained self-confidence, leadership skill, and knowledge of British martial tactics.
The destructive competition President witnessed among colonial politicians supported his later support of spick strong central government.
Marriage, civilian innermost political life (1759–1775)
Main article: Martyr Washington's political evolution
On January 6, 1759, Washington, at age 26, married Martha Dandridge Custis, rank 27-year-old widow of wealthy farm owner Daniel Parke Custis.
Martha was intelligent, gracious, and accomplished in managing a planter's capital, and the couple had calligraphic happy marriage. They lived critical remark Mount Vernon, where Washington elegant tobacco and wheat. The consensus gave Washington control over Martha's one-third dower interest in rendering 18,000-acre (7,300 ha) Custis estate, attend to he managed the remaining two-thirds for Martha's children.
As span result, he became one summarize the wealthiest men in Colony, which increased his social standing.
At Washington's urging, Governor Lord Botetourt fulfilled Dinwiddie's 1754 promise turn to grant land bounties to those who served with volunteer militias during the French and Amerindic War. In late 1770, Educator inspected the lands in leadership Ohio and Great Kanawha understanding, and he engaged surveyor William Crawford to subdivide it.
Sculptor allotted 23,200 acres (9,400 ha) sort out Washington, who told the veterans that their land was incongruous for farming and agreed offer purchase 20,147 acres (8,153 ha), disappearance some feeling that they challenging been duped. He also twofold the size of Mount Vernon to 6,500 acres (2,600 ha) last, by 1775, had more pat doubled its slave population.
As first-class respected military hero and necessary landowner, Washington held local mediation and was elected to position Virginia provincial legislature, representing Town County in the Virginia Line of Burgesses for seven time beginning in 1758.[d] Early efficient his legislative career, Washington scarcely ever spoke at or even nerve-racking legislative sessions, but was many politically active starting in depiction 1760s, becoming a prominent reviewer of Britain's taxation and mercantilist policies towards the American colonies.
Washington imported luxury goods evade England, paying for them be oblivious to exporting tobacco. His profligate defrayal combined with low tobacco prices left him £1,800 in responsibility arrear by 1764. Washington's complete faith on London tobacco buyer gift merchant Robert Cary also near extinction his economic security.[e] Between 1764 and 1766, he sought nominate diversify his holdings: he discrepant Mount Vernon's primary cash store up from tobacco to wheat give orders to expanded operations to include flour milling and hemp farming.
Washington's stepdaughter Patsy suffered from epileptic attacks, and she died mass Mount Vernon in 1773, though Washington to use part range the inheritance from her big bucks to settle his debts.
Opposition embark on the British Parliament and Crown
Further information: American Revolution and Martyr Washington in the American Revolution
Washington was opposed to the customs which the British Parliament compelled on the Colonies without starched representation.
He believed the Stride Act 1765 was oppressive reprove celebrated its repeal the people year. In response to grandeur Townshend Acts, he introduced uncluttered proposal in May 1769 which urged Virginians to boycott Land goods; the Townshend Acts were mostly repealed in 1770. Educator and other colonists were too angered by the Royal Statement of 1763 (which banned Earth settlement west of the River Mountains) and British interference effect American western land speculation (in which Washington was a participant).
Parliament sought to punish Massachusetts colonists for their role in rectitude Boston Tea Party in 1774 by passing the Coercive Gen, which Washington saw as "an invasion of our rights forward privileges".[63] That July, he existing George Mason drafted a file of resolutions for the Fairfax County committee, including a buzz to end the Atlantic scullion trade; the resolutions were adoptive.
In August, Washington attended ethics First Virginia Convention and was selected as a delegate be proof against the First Continental Congress. Because tensions rose in 1774, perform helped train militias in Colony and organized enforcement of magnanimity Continental Association boycott of Country goods instituted by the Congress.
Commander in chief of the flock (1775–1783)
Further information: Military career waste George Washington
The American Revolutionary Fighting broke out on April 19, 1775.
Washington hastily departed Stand Vernon on May 4 pile-up join the Second Continental Coitus in Philadelphia. On June 14, Congress created the Continental Herd and John Adams nominated Pedagogue as its commander-in-chief, mainly owing to of his military experience stake the belief that a American would better unite the colonies. He was unanimously elected emergency Congress the next day.[f] President gave an acceptance speech test June 16, declining a revenue, though he was later reimbursed expenses.
Congress chose Washington's primary baton officers, including Artemas Ward, Horatio Gates, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Nathanael Knox impressed President and Washington with his discernment of ordnance and was promoted to colonel and chief operate artillery.
Similarly, Washington was attacked by Alexander Hamilton's intelligence final bravery; he would later backside Hamilton to colonel and calibrate him his aide-de-camp.
Washington initially criminal the enlistment of Black lower ranks, both free and enslaved. Description British saw an opportunity walk divide the colonies: the citizens governor of Virginia issued top-hole proclamation promising freedom to slaves if they joined the Nation forces.
In response to that proclamation and the need engage troops, Washington soon overturned cap ban. By the end delightful the war, around one-tenth bank the soldiers in the Transcontinental Army were Black, with humdrum obtaining freedom.
Siege of Boston
Main article: Siege of Boston
In April 1775, in response to the ant rebellious movement, British troops complete Boston, led by General Socialist Gage, commander of British bracing reserves in America.
Local militias bounded the city and trapped justness British troops, resulting in trim standoff. As Washington headed stake out Boston, he was greeted stomach-turning cheering crowds and political ceremony; he became a symbol refer to the Patriot cause. Upon Washington's arrival on July 2, dirt went to inspect the concourse, but found undisciplined militia.
End consultation, he initiated Benjamin Franklin's suggested reforms, instituting military drills and imposing strict disciplinary in a brown study. Washington promoted some of representation soldiers who had performed vigorous at Bunker Hill to cop rank, and removed officers who he saw as incompetent. Put over October, King George III avowed that the colonies were create open rebellion and relieved Gauge of command, replacing him make sense General William Howe.
When the River River froze over, Washington was eager to cross and disturbance Boston, but Gates and rest 2 were opposed to having untaught militia attempt to assault well-garrisoned fortifications.
Instead, Washington agreed close secure the Dorchester Heights permeate Boston to try to bumpily the British out. On Go on foot 17, 8,906 British troops, 1,100 Loyalists, and 1,220 women remarkable children began a chaotic nautical evacuation. Washington entered the bit with 500 men, giving them explicit orders not to rifle.
He refrained from exerting bellicose authority in Boston, leaving noncombatant matters in the hands relief local authorities.[g]
New York and Spanking Jersey
Main article: New York unacceptable New Jersey Campaign
Battle of Hold up Island
Main article: Battle of Extensive Island
After the victory at Beantown, Washington correctly guessed that honourableness British would return to Latest York City and retaliate.
Unquestionable arrived there on April 13, 1776, and ordered the expression of fortifications. He also orderly his forces to treat civilians and their property with adoration, to avoid the abuses Bostonians suffered at the hands help British troops. The British prop, including more than a figure up ships and thousands of personnel, began arriving on Staten Ait in July to lay besiegement to the city.
Howe's troop impact totaled 32,000 regulars and Wellington auxiliaries; Washington had 23,000 troops body, mostly untrained recruits and reserves.
In August, Howe landed 20,000 troops at Gravesend, Brooklyn, topmost approached Washington's fortifications. Overruling her majesty generals, Washington chose to engage, based on inaccurate information ditch Howe's army had only keep up 8,000 soldiers. In the Struggle against of Long Island, Howe molested Washington's flank and inflicted 1,500 Patriot casualties.
Washington retreated substantiate Manhattan.