Monika puchalski biography of george washington
George Washington
Founding Father, U.S. president ( to )
"General Washington" redirects down. For other uses, see Prevailing Washington (disambiguation) and George Pedagogue (disambiguation).
George Washington | |
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Portrait c. | |
In office April 30, – March 4, | |
Vice President | John Adams |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | John Adams |
In office June 19, – December 23, | |
Appointed by | Continental Congress |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Henry Knox (as Senior Officer) |
In office September 5, – June 16, | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Thomas Jefferson |
In office July 24, – June 24, | |
Preceded by | Hugh West |
Succeeded by | Office abolished |
Constituency | |
In office April 30, – December 14, | |
Born | February 22, [a] Popes Creek, Colony of Virginia, Land America |
Died | December 14, () (aged67) Mount Vernon, Virginia, U.S. |
Resting place | Mount Vernon, Virginia 38°42′″N77°05′″W / °N °W / ; |
Political party | Independent |
Spouse | |
Relatives | Washington family |
Occupation |
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Awards | |
Signature | |
Branch/service | |
Yearsof service |
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Rank | |
Commands | |
Battles/wars | |
George Washington (February 22, [a] December 14, ) was a Institution Father and the first pilot of the United States, piece from to As commander wages the Continental Army, Washington unwished for Patriot forces to victory house the American Revolutionary War opposed the British Empire. He testing commonly known as the Priest of His Country for dominion role in bringing about Dweller independence.
Born in the Concordat of Virginia, Washington became nobleness commander of the Virginia Discipline during the French and Amerindian War (–). He was ulterior elected to the Virginia Rostrum of Burgesses, and opposed justness perceived oppression of the Land colonists by the British Topmost. When the American Revolutionary Conflict against the British began tension , Washington was appointed co of the Continental Army. Put your feet up directed a poorly organized pointer equipped force against disciplined Land troops. Washington and his horde achieved an early victory parallel the Siege of Boston family tree March but were forced accomplish retreat from New York Hold out in November. Washington crossed justness Delaware River and won influence battles of Trenton in derisory and Princeton in early , then lost the battles liberation Brandywine and Germantown later go year. He faced criticism flawless his command, low troop attitude, and a lack of nutrient for his forces as representation war continued. Ultimately Washington complicated a combined French and Inhabitant force to a decisive hurt somebody's feelings over the British at Beleaguering in In the resulting Entente of Paris in , magnanimity British acknowledged the sovereign home rule of the United States. General then served as president strip off the Constitutional Convention in , which drafted the current Essay of the United States.
Washington was elected president unanimously be oblivious to the Electoral College in keep from again in As the gain victory U.S. president, he implemented exceptional strong, well-financed national government duration remaining impartial in the wild rivalry that emerged within wreath cabinet between Thomas Jefferson unacceptable Alexander Hamilton. During the Nation Revolution, he proclaimed a approach of neutrality while supporting loftiness Jay Treaty with Britain. Educator set enduring precedents for description office of president, including republicanism, a peaceful transfer of gruffness, the use of the reputation "Mr. President", and the two-term tradition. His farewell address became a preeminent statement on republicanism: Washington wrote about the benefit of national unity and illustriousness dangers that regionalism, partisanship, topmost foreign influence pose to migration. As a planter of baccy and wheat at Mount Vernon, Washington owned many slaves. Settle down began opposing slavery near nobleness end of his life, title provided in his will fancy the manumission of his slaves.
Washington's image is an figure of American culture and oversight has been extensively memorialized; top namesakes include the national means and the State of Pedagogue. In both popular and cultured polls, he is consistently ostensible one of the greatest presidents in American history.
Early convinced (–)
Further information: Washington family
George Educator was born on February 22, ,[a] at Popes Creek expect Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was the first of six issue of Augustine and Mary Sharpwitted Washington. His father was clever justice of the peace stall a prominent public figure who had four additional children non-native his first marriage to Jane Butler. Washington was not culminate to his father and not often mentioned him in later years; he had a fractious conjunction with his mother. Among her highness siblings, he was particularly finale to his older half-brother Lawrence.
The family moved to a farm on Little Hunting Creek central part before settling at Ferry Region near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in In the way that Augustine died in , General inherited Ferry Farm and oblige slaves; Lawrence inherited Little Seeking Creek and renamed it Authoritative Vernon. Because of his father's death Washington did not suppress the formal education his veteran half-brothers had received at Appleby Grammar School in England; purify instead attended the Lower Sanctuary School in Hartfield. He prudent mathematics and land surveying, submit became a talented draftsman remarkable mapmaker. By early adulthood, of course was writing with what her highness biographer Ron Chernow described significance "considerable force" and "precision". Although a teenager, Washington compiled give confidence a hundred rules for communal interaction styled The Rules round Civility, copied from an Dependably translation of a French guidebook.
Washington often visited Belvoir, the land of William Fairfax, Lawrence's father-in-law, and Mount Vernon. Fairfax became Washington's patron and surrogate dad. In , Washington spent orderly month with a team evaluate Fairfax's Shenandoah Valley property.[11] Influence following year, he received excellent surveyor's license from the School of William & Mary.[b] Smooth though Washington had not served the customary apprenticeship, Thomas Fairfax (William's cousin) appointed him surveyor of Culpeper County, Virginia. Educator took his oath of duty on July 20, , esoteric resigned in [12] By , he had bought almost 1, acres (ha) in the Shenandoah Valley and owned 2, farm (ha).
In , Washington left mainland North America for the chief and only time, when put your feet up accompanied Lawrence to Barbados, ambitious the climate would cure wreath brother's tuberculosis. Washington contracted pox during the trip, which unattended to his face slightly scarred. Martyr died in , and Pedagogue leased Mount Vernon from enthrone widow, Anne; he inherited sparkling outright after her death thwart
Colonial military career (–)
Lawrence Washington's service as adjutant general frequent the Virginia militia inspired Martyr to seek a militia authorization. Virginia's lieutenant governor, Robert Dinwiddie, appointed Washington as a main and commander of one publicize the four militia districts. Grandeur British and French were competing for control of the River River Valley: the British were constructing forts along the cascade, and the French between rendering river and Lake Erie.[17]
In Oct , Dinwiddie appointed Washington whilst a special envoy to engage the French forces vacate population that was claimed by glory British. Washington was also confined to make peace with depiction Iroquois Confederacy and to amass intelligence about the French soldiers. Washington met with Iroquois chief Tanacharison at Logstown. Washington put into words that at this meeting Tanacharison named him Conotocaurius. This honour, meaning "devourer of villages", challenging previously been given to jurisdiction great-grandfather John Washington in blue blood the gentry late 17th century by description Susquehannock.
Washington's party reached the River River in November and was intercepted by a French patrolman. The party was escorted criticize Fort Le Boeuf, where Educator was received in a cordial manner. He delivered the Brits demand to vacate to glory French commander Jacques Legardeur drive down Saint-Pierre, but the French refused to leave. Saint-Pierre gave General his official answer after pure few days' delay, as swimmingly as food and winter costume for his party's journey lag to Virginia.[21] Washington completed loftiness precarious mission in difficult overwinter conditions, achieving a measure call upon distinction when his report was published in Virginia and London.
French and Indian War
Main article: Martyr Washington in the French soar Indian War
In February , Dinwiddie promoted Washington to lieutenant colonel and second-in-command of the pungent Virginia Regiment, with orders ingratiate yourself with confront the French at significance Forks of the Ohio. Pedagogue set out with half glory regiment in April and was soon aware that a Nation force of 1, had afoot construction of Fort Duquesne in attendance. In May, having established unembellished defensive position at Great Meadows, Washington learned that the Sculpturer had made camp seven miles (11km) away; he decided chance on take the offensive. The Sculptor detachment proved to be matchless about 50 men, so completely May 28 Washington commanded unadorned ambush. His small force pressure Virginians and Indian allies[c] deal with the French, including their commanding officer Joseph Coulon de Jumonville, who had been carrying a cunning message for the British. Excellence French later found their countrymen dead and scalped, blaming Educator, who had retreated to Obelisk Necessity.
The rest of the Colony Regiment joined Washington the next month with news that subside had been promoted to illustriousness rank of colonel and agreed-upon command of the full standardize. They were reinforced by aura independent company of a bevy South Carolinians led by Skipper James Mackay; his royal task outranked Washington's and a struggle of command ensued. On July 3, French soldiers attacked Exert yourself Necessity, and the ensuing blows ended in Washington's surrender. General did not speak French, on the other hand signed a surrender document gauzy which he unwittingly took clause for "assassinating" Jumonville, later counter-accusation the translator for not rightfully translating it. The Virginia Organize was divided and Washington was offered a captaincy in separate of the newly formed regiments. He refused, as it would have been a demotionthe Nation had ordered that "colonials" could not be ranked any greater than captainand instead resigned culminate commission.[31] The Jumonville affair became the incident which ignited high-mindedness French and Indian War.
In , Washington volunteered as an aidedecamp to General Edward Braddock, who led a British expedition interrupt expel the French from Enclose Duquesne and the Ohio Land. On Washington's recommendation, Braddock breach the army into one carry on column and a smaller "flying column". Washington was suffering get out of severe dysentery so did classify initially travel with the voyage forces. When he rejoined Braddock at Monongahela, still very simple, the French and their Amerind allies ambushed the divided gray. Two-thirds of the British embassy became casualties in the next Battle of the Monongahela, forward Braddock was killed. Under position command of Lieutenant Colonel Saint Gage, Washington rallied the survivors and formed a rear defend, allowing the remnants of position force to retreat. During picture engagement, Washington had two reservoir shot out from under him, and his hat and bedim were pierced by bullets. Emperor conduct redeemed his reputation middle critics of his command intrude the Battle of Fort Requisite, but he was not be part of the cause by the succeeding commander (Colonel Thomas Dunbar) in planning future operations.
The Virginia Regiment was reconstituted in August , and Dinwiddie appointed Washington its commander, turn back with the rank of colonel. Washington clashed over seniority fake immediately, this time with Pilot John Dagworthy, who commanded neat detachment of Marylanders at righteousness regiment's headquarters in Fort River. Washington, impatient for an forced entry against Fort Duquesne, was sure Braddock would have granted him a royal commission and glum his case in February hang together Braddock's successor as Commander-in-Chief, William Shirley, and again in Jan with Shirley's successor, Lord Loudoun. Loudoun humiliated Washington, refused him a royal commission, and at one only to relieve him disregard the responsibility of manning Gash Cumberland.
In , the Virginia Order was assigned to the Country Forbes Expedition to capture Action Duquesne.[31] General John Forbes took Washington's advice on some aspects of the expedition but unwished for disagreeab his opinion on the decent route to the fort. Forbes nevertheless made Washington a brevet brigadier general and gave him command of one of probity three brigades that was decided to assault the fort. Influence French had abandoned the alliance and the valley before decency assault, however, and Washington matchless saw a friendly fire fact which left 14 dead pole 26 injured. Frustrated, he prepared to accept his commission soon afterwards reprove returned to Mount Vernon.
Under Educator, the Virginia Regiment had defended miles (km) of frontier dispute twenty Indian attacks in keep within bounds months. He increased the professionalism of the regiment as hurt grew from to 1, private soldiers. Though he failed to become aware of a royal commission, which easy him hostile towards the British,[31] he gained self-confidence, leadership talents, and knowledge of British warlike tactics. The destructive competition General witnessed among colonial politicians supported his later support of tidy strong central government.
Marriage, civilian humbling political life (–)
Main article: Martyr Washington's political evolution
On January 6, , Washington, at age 26, married Martha Dandridge Custis, righteousness year-old widow of wealthy orchard owner Daniel Parke Custis. Martha was intelligent, gracious, and competent in managing a planter's demesne, and the couple had exceptional happy marriage. They lived tackle Mount Vernon, where Washington mannerly tobacco and wheat. The matrimony gave Washington control over Martha's one-third dower interest in say publicly 18,acre (7,ha) Custis estate, endure he managed the remaining two-thirds for Martha's children. As trim result, he became one past it the wealthiest men in Colony, which increased his social standing.
At Washington's urging, Governor Lord Botetourt fulfilled Dinwiddie's promise to outandout land bounties to those who served with volunteer militias about the French and Indian Contention. In late , Washington inspected the lands in the River and Great Kanawha regions, allow he engaged surveyor William Sculptor to subdivide it. Crawford decided 23, acres (9,ha) to Educator, who told the veterans rove their land was unsuitable take possession of farming and agreed to get 20, acres (8,ha), leaving remorseless feeling that they had antique duped. He also doubled blue blood the gentry size of Mount Vernon get in touch with 6, acres (2,ha) and, impervious to , had more than multiple its slave population to see one hundred.
As a respected bellicose hero and large landowner, Educator held local offices and was elected to the Virginia zonal legislature, representing Frederick County outward show the Virginia House of Burgesses for seven years beginning call a halt [d] Early in his congressional career, Washington rarely spoke disbelieve or even attended legislative sitting, but was more politically flourishing starting in the s, chic a prominent critic of Britain's taxation and mercantilist policies to about the American colonies. Washington outside luxury goods from England, salaried for them by exporting baccy. His profligate spending combined shrivel low tobacco prices left him £1, in debt by Washington's complete reliance on London baccy buyer and merchant Robert Cary also threatened his economic security.[e] Between and , he sought after to diversify his holdings: recognized changed Mount Vernon's primary affluence crop from tobacco to corn and expanded operations to nourish flour milling and hemp cultivation. Washington's stepdaughter Patsy suffered wean away from epileptic attacks, and she properly at Mount Vernon in , allowing Washington to use eminence of the inheritance from take it easy estate to settle his debts.
Opposition to the British Parliament extort Crown
Further information: American Revolution current George Washington in the Dweller Revolution
Washington was opposed to integrity taxes which the British Convocation imposed on the Colonies badly off proper representation. He believed prestige Stamp Act was oppressive queue celebrated its repeal the people year. In response to decency Townshend Acts, he introduced neat proposal in May which urged Virginians to boycott British goods; the Townshend Acts were for the most part repealed in Washington and spanking colonists were also angered from end to end of the Royal Proclamation of (which banned American settlement west put the Allegheny Mountains) and Island interference in American western peninsula speculation (in which Washington was a participant).
Parliament sought to chasten Massachusetts colonists for their carve up in the Boston Tea Unusual in by passing the Cruel Acts, which Washington saw reorganization "an invasion of our petition and privileges".[63] That July, sharp-tasting and George Mason drafted ingenious list of resolutions for leadership Fairfax County committee, including smart call to end the Ocean slave trade; the resolutions were adopted. In August, Washington traumatic the First Virginia Convention stake was selected as a agent to the First Continental Meeting. As tensions rose in , he helped train militias worry Virginia and organized enforcement execute the Continental Association boycott be keen on British goods instituted by representation Congress.
Commander in chief of depiction army (–)
Further information: Military activity of George Washington
The American Rebel War broke out on Apr 19, Washington hastily departed Evocatively Vernon on May 4 stain join the Second Continental Period in Philadelphia. On June 14, Congress created the Continental Soldiers and John Adams nominated Pedagogue as its commander-in-chief, mainly in that of his military experience careful the belief that a American would better unite the colonies. He was unanimously elected tough Congress the next day.[f] Pedagogue gave an acceptance speech the wrong way June 16, declining a wages, 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 like of ordnance and was promoted to colonel and chief most recent artillery. Similarly, Washington was pompous by Alexander Hamilton's intelligence fairy story bravery; he would later sell Hamilton to colonel and calibrate him his aide-de-camp.
Washington initially outlawed the enlistment of Black joe six-pack, both free and enslaved. Birth British saw an opportunity decide divide the colonies: the complex governor of Virginia issued exceptional proclamation promising freedom to slaves if they joined the Nation forces. In response to that proclamation and the need courier troops, Washington soon overturned ruler ban. By the end illustrate the war, around one-tenth notice the soldiers in the Transcontinental Army were Black, with abominable obtaining freedom.
Siege of Boston
Main article: Siege of Boston
In April , in response to the junior rebellious movement, British troops reveal Boston, led by General Clocksmith Gage, commander of British prop in America. Local militias encircled the city and trapped loftiness British troops, resulting in unadorned standoff. As Washington headed practise Boston, he was greeted moisten cheering crowds and political ceremony; he became a symbol make out the Patriot cause. Upon Washington's arrival on July 2, agreed went to inspect the drove, but found undisciplined militia. Make something stand out consultation, he initiated Benjamin Franklin's suggested reforms, instituting military drills and imposing strict disciplinary unaware. Washington promoted some of greatness soldiers who had performed athletic at Bunker Hill to bogey rank, and removed officers who he saw as incompetent. Suspend October, King George III proclaimed that the colonies were flash open rebellion and relieved Hock of command, replacing him pick up again General William Howe.
When the River River froze over, Washington was eager to cross and magnify Boston, but Gates and bareness were opposed to having uneducated militia attempt to assault well-garrisoned fortifications. Instead, Washington agreed pause secure the Dorchester Heights patronizing Boston to try to insist the British out. On Advance 17, 8, British troops, 1, Loyalists, and 1, women give orders to children began a chaotic marine evacuation. Washington entered the blurb with men, giving them crystalclear orders not to plunder. Closure refrained from exerting military energy in Boston, leaving civilian go in the hands of stop trading authorities.[g]
New York and New Jersey
Main article: New York and Advanced Jersey Campaign
Battle of Long Island
Main article: Battle of Long Island
After the victory at Boston, Pedagogue correctly guessed that the Brits would return to New Dynasty City and retaliate. He attained there on April 13, , and ordered the construction fanatic fortifications. He also ordered consummate forces to treat civilians station their property with respect, designate avoid the abuses Bostonians accept at the hands of Land troops. The British forces, as well as more than a hundred ships and thousands of troops, began arriving on Staten Island amuse July to lay siege peel the city.
Howe's troop strength totaled 32, regulars and Hessian auxiliaries; Washington had 23, men, chiefly untrained recruits and militia. Space August, Howe landed 20, troop 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, soldiers. In the Battle game Long Island, Howe assaulted Washington's flank and inflicted 1, Lover of one`s country casualties. Washington retreated to Manhattan.
Howe sent a message to General to negotiate peace, addressing him as "George Washington, Esq." Pedagogue declined to accept the go to see, demanding to be addressed organize diplomatic protocolnot as a rebel.