George Washington
| Famous as | First President of the United States |
| Born on | 22 February 1732 |
| Born in | Westmoreland County, Virginia |
| Died on | 14 December 1799 |
| Nationality | United States |
| Works & Achievements | Victory in the American Revolutionary War |
Childhood and Early Life
George Washington was born on 22 February 1732 near Colonial Beach in Westmoreland County
in Virginia. He was the first son of Augustine Washington and his
second wife Mary Ball Washington and had an older half-brother Lawrence
Washington. He didn’t get any formal education, but was educated by his
father and older brother at home. In early days of youth, George
Washington worked as a surveyor before taking a career as a planter in
1748. In 1749, Washington was appointed as surveyor of the Culpeper County, and while working there he developed interest in the Ohio Company, which had a reputation for exploiting foreign lands.
After Lawrence’s death in 1752, Washington took charge of the
colony as assistant officer, the position previously held by Lawrence.
George Washington was made Major Washington at the age of 20, after his
appointment as district adjutant general in the Virginia militia in
1752. The work included training the militia and moving ahead in his
career, he became a Master Mason in the organization of Freemasons, a
fraternal organization, at the age of 21.
In 1754, Washington was promoted to lieutenant colonel and was sent on a mission to
drive out the French troops from Fort Duquesne. The mission could not
be accomplished and George resigned upon returning to Virginia because
he could not put up with the new Virginia Militia. After having worked
as a brigadier general in the Forbes expedition, he resigned from the
military in 1758 and engaged himself in his work as a planter and
politician.
Marriage and Personal Life
George married a widow Martha Dandridge Custis on 6 January 1759
and the couple moved to Mount Vernon where together they raised Daniel
Parke Custis and John Parke Custis, the two children which Martha had
from her previous marriage. The couple never had their own children.
Washington’s marriage to a wealthy widow brought him a fortune by
increasing his property holding and social status and making him the
wealthiest man in Virginia.
George Washington and American Revolution
After the American Revolution broke in 1775, Congress created the
Continental Army on 14 June 1775 and Washington, who had the charisma
and prestige to win people around him and had a reputation of being a
true patriot, was appointed Major General and Commander-In Chief for the
war. Washington came in charge of the Continental Army during the
ongoing siege of Boston and despite a huge shortage of weapon and
manpower; he forced the British Troops to evacuate Boston and further
led his Army to New York City. The landslide victory in Boston gave him
an image of a hero and a committed patriot. His bravery and qualities as
a commander made their presence in every newspaper; even in British
newspapers, where his courage, endurance and bravery were found worth
praising.
In 1776, British troops under General William Howe instigated a
series of land and marine attacks in an attempt to siege New York. The
attacks resulted in the defeat of the Continental Army at the ‘Battle of
Long Island’ and forced Washington to move back with his army. A series
of defeat followed, and demands intensified to remove Washington from
his position, which came to a halt after a rally came in his support. In
a historical victory in 1781, Washington’s American army and French
army, who was an ally in the war, captured a British army and forced
them to surrender. After a number of defeats and personal suffering of Washington, the war came to an end when the British troops surrender at Yorktown on 17 October 1781.
The American army was disbanded on 2 November, with Washington’s
final farewell to his soldiers after capturing the New York City and
forcing British troops to evacuate the City on 25 November. On 4
December, Washington formally announced his resignation and in less than
a month, he resigned from the position of commander-in-chief on 23
December. In 1787, Washington was invited to attend the Constitutional
convention in Philadelphia, where he was elected President of the
convention. The American Constitution was formed with electing Washington as First President of the United States.
Presidency of the United States (1789-1797)
George Washington was elected the first President of the United States and he took the oath under the American
Constitution on 30 April 1789. He was the only President to receive 100
electoral votes. Though he first declined to accept any salary for his
service as President, later he accepted it to avoid setting a standard
for the Presidents who would lead the nation in future. Being a good
administrator and a talented judge, he consulted his delegates before
reaching any final decision. His commitment to serve common goal gained
him huge appreciation and respect from the nation as well as from his
delegates. Washington was elected for his second successive term.
Domestic and Foreign Policies
Washington himself was not a member of any party and held a view
against it because he believed that it will cause conflicts and stop the
growth of the country. Other policies he employed to build a strong
nation include the establishment of national banking system and tax
system in U.S. Furthermore, making a historical move in future, he
appointed the first ten Justice of the Supreme Court during his
presidency.
He adopted a no-interference policy in the domestic affairs of
other states and following the same, he refused to become involve in the
France war against Britain. During that period, he signed widely
opposed Jay Treaty on 19 November 1794 with a hope to improve trade
relations with Britain and resolve the financial debt accumulated since
the Revolutionary War of America. The treaty smoothen the rough edge
between the countries making The French feel enraged at the same time.
Farewell Address and Retirement
George Washington delivered his farewell speech,
which he himself had drafted, in 1796. The letter that carried his
advice of unity and morality, warned the Americans against foreign
influence in America and America’s meddling in European affairs. He had a
strong view that United States is republic and it should refrain from
the policy of partisanship serving a common interest. He called for an
Independent America saying the United States must concentrate on
American interests while marinating a friendship and trade with all
nations.
Washington took retirement from the presidency in 1797 and returned
to Mount Vernon where he emerged himself in farming and gardening;
something he had taken as career many years back. He remained active
even after his retirement and was appointed Lieutenant General by the
then President John Adams, for an expected war with France and between
13 July 1798 and 14 December 1799, he served as the senior officer of
the United States Army.
Death
Washington died on 14 December 1799, at the age of 67 with his
close friends and personal secretary by his side. He was suffering from
cold, bad throat and fever for the past two days before his death on 14
December and was diagnosed with a throat infection called quinsy, which
had turned into laryngitis and pneumonia. After his death, Washington’s
remains were buried at Mount Vernon. Washington’s death came as a big
shock to the nation and the American Army wore black bands as a sign of
grief for the next six months. Following his death, Britain Royal Navy
lowered its flag at half mast and Napoleon declared ten days of mourning
throughout France.
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George Washington Timeline: | ||||
1732 - George Washington was born on 22 February.
1742- George washington's father died
1748 - George Washington took a career as a planter.
1749 - Washington was appointed as surveyor of the Culpeper County.
1752 - His older brother Lawrence Washington died and Washington was appointment as district adjutant general in the Virginia militia.
1754 - Washington was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
1758 - Washington resigned from the military.
1759 - George married to Martha Dandridge Custis on 6 January.
1775 - The American Revolution broke out.
1775 - Congress created the Continental Army on 14 June.
1775 - Washington was appointed Major General and Commander-in chief.
1776 - British troops attacked in an attempt to siege New York.
1781 - British troops surrender at Yorktown on October 17.
1781 - British troops evacuated the City on 25 November.
1781 - He resigned from the position of Commander-In-Chief on 23 December.
1787 - Washington was invited to attend the Constitutional convention in Philadelphia.
1789 - Washington took the oath as the first President of America on 30 April.
1794 - He signed the Jay Treaty with Britain on 19 November.
1796 - George Washington delivered his farewell speech.
1797 - Washington took retirement from the presidency.
1799 - Washington died on 14 December at his home.
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