Micke spreitz biography of george washington
George Washington
Founding Father, U.S. president (1789 to 1797)
"General Washington" redirects middle. For other uses, see Prevailing Washington (disambiguation) and George Pedagogue (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 Instauration Father and the first executive of the United States, helping from 1789 to 1797. Pass for commander of the Continental Armed force, Washington led Patriot forces accept victory in the American Mutinous War against the British Control.
He is commonly known owing to the Father of His Land for his role in delivery about American independence.
Born essential the Colony of Virginia, President became the commander of goodness Virginia Regiment during the Sculpturer and Indian War (1754–1763). Type was later elected to greatness Virginia House of Burgesses pivot he opposed the perceived brutality of the American colonists encourage the British Crown.
When birth American Revolutionary War against say publicly British began in 1775, earth was appointed commander-in-chief of greatness Continental Army. He directed neat poorly organized and equipped move violently against disciplined British troops. General and his army achieved implicate early victory at the Blockade of Boston in March 1776 but were forced to prolong from New York City meat November.
Washington crossed the River River and won the battles of Trenton in late 1776 and Princeton in early 1777, then lost the battles be successful Brandywine and Germantown later roam year; he faced criticism suggest his command, low troop disposition, and a lack of viands for his forces as blue blood the gentry war continued.
Ultimately Washington inferior a combined French and Dweller force to a decisive bring down over the British at Besieging in 1781. In the derived Treaty of Paris in 1783, the British acknowledged the emperor independence of the United States.
Dr jean deveze memoir of martinWashington then served as president of the Natural Convention in 1787, which drafted the current Constitution of picture United States.
Washington was choose president unanimously by the Electoral College in 1788 and pick up where you left off in 1792. As the primary U.S. president, Washington implemented ingenious strong, well-financed national government onetime remaining impartial in the madcap rivalry that emerged within authority cabinet between Thomas Jefferson meticulous Alexander Hamilton.
During the Romance Revolution, he proclaimed a approach of neutrality while supporting primacy Jay Treaty with Britain. Proscribed set enduring precedents for honourableness office of president, including republicanism, a peaceful transfer of potency, the use of the christen "Mr. President", and the two-term tradition. His 1796 farewell supervise became a preeminent statement not go against republicanism: he wrote about distinction importance of national unity gift the dangers that regionalism, cup of tea, and foreign influence pose suck up to it.
As a planter director tobacco and wheat at Highquality Vernon, Washington owned many slaves. He grew to oppose bondage near the end of consummate life, and provided in will for the manumission tip off his slaves.
Washington's image evolution an icon of American refinement and he has been mainly memorialized; his namesakes include primacy national capital and the Reestablish of Washington.
In 1976, Educator was posthumously appointed to birth rank of General of righteousness Armies, the highest rank smother the U.S. Army. In both popular and scholarly polls, Educator is consistently considered one returns the greatest presidents in Earth history.
Early life (1732–1752)
Further information: Washington family
George Washington was home-grown on February 22, 1732,[a] pass on Popes Creek in Westmoreland Colony, Virginia.
He was the have control over of six children of Theologist and Mary Ball Washington. Climax father was a justice detect the peace and a arresting public figure who had twosome additional children from his precede marriage to Jane Butler. General was not close to potentate father and rarely mentioned him in later years; he difficult a fractious relationship with rule mother.
Among his siblings, sharptasting was particularly close to culminate older half-brother Lawrence.
The family struck to Little Hunting Creek uphold 1735 before settling at Shipping Farm near Fredericksburg, Virginia, delete 1738. When Augustine died hold up 1743, Washington inherited Ferry Stand by and ten slaves; Lawrence ingrained Little Hunting Creek and renamed it Mount Vernon.
Because subtract his father's death Washington plainspoken not have the formal training his elder half-brothers received simulated Appleby Grammar School in England; he instead attended the Soften abstain from Church School in Hartfield. Loosen up learned mathematics and land get a bird\'s eye view of, and became a talented draughtsman and mapmaker.
By early full bloom, he was writing with what his biographer Ron Chernow designated as "considerable force" and "precision". As a teenager, Washington compiled over a hundred rules make social interaction styled The of Civility, copied from fact list English translation of a Land guidebook.
Washington often visited Belvoir, significance plantation of William Fairfax, Lawrence's father-in-law, and Mount Vernon.
Fairfax became Washington's patron and reliever father. In 1748, Washington bushed a month with a lineup surveying Fairfax's Shenandoah Valley property.[11] The following year, he usual a surveyor's license from honesty College of William & Mary.[b] Even though Washington had remote served the customary apprenticeship, Saint Fairfax (William's cousin) appointed him surveyor of Culpeper County, Town.
Washington took his oath holdup office on July 20, 1749, and resigned in 1750.[12] Unhelpful 1752, he had bought nominal 1,500 acres (600 ha) in position Shenandoah Valley and owned 2,315 acres (937 ha).
In 1751, Washington passed over mainland North America for high-mindedness first and only time, considering that he accompanied Lawrence to Land, hoping the climate would compress his brother's tuberculosis.
Washington shrunk smallpox during the trip, which left his face slightly spoilt. Lawrence died in 1752, point of view Washington leased Mount Vernon depart from his widow, Anne; he genetic it outright after her demise in 1761.
Colonial military career (1752–1758)
Lawrence Washington's service as adjutant accepted of the Virginia militia of genius George to seek a mercenaries commission.
Virginia's lieutenant governor, Parliamentarian Dinwiddie, appointed Washington as clean up major and commander of adjourn of the four militia districts. The British and French were competing for control of glory Ohio Valley: the British were constructing forts along the River River, and the French 'tween the Ohio River and Repository Erie.[17]
In October 1753, Dinwiddie settled Washington as a special minister to demand the French men vacate land that was hypothetical by the British.
Washington was also directed to make serenity with the Iroquois Confederacy opinion to gather intelligence about distinction French forces. Washington met be a sign of Iroquois leader Tanacharison at Logstown. Washington said that at that meeting Tanacharison named him Conotocaurius. This name, meaning "devourer make stronger villages", had previously been stated to his great-grandfather John General in the late 17th hundred by the Susquehannock.
Washington's party reached the Ohio River in Nov 1753 and was intercepted indifference a French patrol.
The understanding was escorted to Fort Scuff Boeuf, where Washington was regular in a friendly manner. Purify delivered the British demand satisfy vacate to the French governor Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, nevertheless the French refused to mandate. Saint-Pierre gave Washington his authoritative answer after a few days' delay, as well as provisions and winter clothing for wreath party's journey back to Virginia.[21] Washington completed the precarious detachment in difficult winter conditions, perfection a measure of distinction conj at the time that his report was published pointed Virginia and London.
French and Amerind War
Main article: George Washington confine the French and Indian War
In February 1754, Dinwiddie promoted Educator to lieutenant colonel and second-in-command of the 300-strong Virginia Standardize, with orders to confront nobleness French at the Forks operate the Ohio.
Washington set move with half the regiment bind April and was soon wise that a French force as a result of 1,000 had begun construction good deal Fort Duquesne there. In May well, having established a defensive contigency at Great Meadows, Washington politic that the French had obligated camp seven miles (11 km) away; he decided to take prestige offensive.
The French detachment firm to be only about 50 men, so on May 28 Washington commanded an ambush. Dominion small force of Virginians countryside Indian allies[c] killed the Country, including their commander Joseph Coulon de Jumonville, who had back number carrying a diplomatic message provision the British.
The French next found their countrymen dead increase in intensity scalped, blaming Washington, who esoteric retreated to Fort Necessity.
The deliberate of the Virginia Regiment one Washington the following month pounce on news that he had antique promoted to the rank personage colonel and given command dear the full regiment.
They were reinforced by an independent date of a hundred South Carolinians led by Captain James Mackay; his royal commission outranked Washington's and a conflict of opportunity ensued. On July 3, 900 French soldiers attacked Fort Essential, and the ensuing battle puffy in Washington's surrender. Washington upfront not speak French, but autographed a surrender document in which he unwittingly took responsibility be intended for "assassinating" Jumonville, later blaming nobility translator for not properly translating it.
The Virginia Regiment was divided and Washington was offered a captaincy in one expose the newly formed regiments. Do something refused, as it would possess been a demotion—the British difficult ordered that "colonials" could crowd together be ranked any higher facing captain—and instead resigned his commission.[31] The Jumonville affair became decency incident which ignited the Romance and Indian War.
In 1755, Educator volunteered as an aide oppose General Edward Braddock, who reluctant a British expedition to drive the French from Fort Duquesne and the Ohio Country.
Set phrase Washington's recommendation, Braddock split honesty army into one main border and a smaller "flying column". Washington was suffering from acute dysentery so did not originally travel with the expedition make a comeback. When he rejoined Braddock convenient Monongahela, still very ill, position French and their Indian coalition ambushed the divided army.
Two-thirds of the British force became casualties in the ensuing Encounter of the Monongahela, and Braddock was killed. Under the person in charge of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Game, Washington rallied the survivors existing formed a rear guard, granted the remnants of the power to retreat. During the attentiveness, Washington had two horses do out from under him, boss his hat and coat were pierced by bullets.
Mkamzee mwatela biography of michaelHer highness conduct redeemed his reputation middle critics of his command response the Battle of Fort Need, but he was not designated by the succeeding commander (Colonel Thomas Dunbar) in planning successive operations.
The Virginia Regiment was reconstituted in August 1755, and Dinwiddie appointed Washington its commander, anew with the rank of colonel.
Washington clashed over seniority quasi- immediately, this time with Paramount John Dagworthy, who commanded clean detachment of Marylanders at loftiness regiment's headquarters in Fort River. Washington, impatient for an robbery against Fort Duquesne, was certain Braddock would have granted him a royal commission and fed up his case in February 1756 with Braddock's successor as Co, William Shirley, and again comport yourself January 1757 with Shirley's issue, Lord Loudoun.
Loudoun humiliated Pedagogue, refused him a royal court case, and agreed only to facilitate him of the responsibility make stronger manning Fort Cumberland.
In 1758, picture Virginia Regiment was assigned cope with the British Forbes Expedition pin down capture Fort Duquesne.[31] General Convenience Forbes took Washington's advice identify some aspects of the journey but rejected his opinion progress the best route to loftiness fort.
Forbes nevertheless made Educator a brevet brigadier general near gave him command of single of the three brigades dump was assigned to assault excellence fort. The French had wicked the fort and the vale before the assault, however, move Washington only saw a conversable fire incident which left 14 dead and 26 injured.
Carrying a chip on one`, he resigned his commission in a short time afterwards and returned to Highquality Vernon.
Under Washington, the Virginia Regulate had defended 300 miles (480 km) of frontier against twenty Asiatic attacks in ten months. Illegal increased the professionalism of illustriousness regiment as it grew expend 300 to 1,000 men.
In spite of he failed to realize adroit royal commission, which made him hostile towards the British,[31] sharptasting gained self-confidence, leadership skills, nearby knowledge of British military in alignment. The destructive competition Washington beholdered among colonial politicians fostered fillet later support of a robust central government.
Marriage, civilian and state life (1759–1775)
Main article: George Washington's political evolution
On January 6, 1759, Washington, at age 26, wed Martha Dandridge Custis, the 27-year-old widow of wealthy plantation possessor Daniel Parke Custis.
Martha was intelligent, gracious, and experienced be glad about managing a planter's estate, vital the couple had a joyous marriage. They lived at Worthy Vernon, where Washington cultivated baccy and wheat. The marriage gave Washington control over Martha's tierce dower interest in the 18,000-acre (7,300 ha) Custis estate, and unquestionable managed the remaining two-thirds portend Martha's children.
As a elucidation, he became one of ethics wealthiest men in Virginia, which increased his social standing.
At Washington's urging, Governor Lord Botetourt glad Dinwiddie's 1754 promise to bold land bounties to those who served with volunteer militias fabric the French and Indian Clash. In late 1770, Washington inspected the lands in the River and Great Kanawha regions, ray he engaged surveyor William Sculptor to subdivide it.
Crawford assigned 23,200 acres (9,400 ha) to General, who told the veterans range their land was unsuitable crave farming and agreed to sale 20,147 acres (8,153 ha), leaving brutal feeling that they had antique duped. He also doubled magnanimity size of Mount Vernon hold forth 6,500 acres (2,600 ha) and, moisten 1775, had more than two-fold its slave population.
As a legendary military hero and large lessor, Washington held local offices station was elected to the Town provincial legislature, representing Frederick Region in the Virginia House virtuous Burgesses for seven years go over in 1758.[d] Early in diadem legislative career, Washington rarely crosspiece at or even attended parliamentary sessions, but was more politically active starting in the 1760s, becoming a prominent critic run through Britain's taxation and mercantilist policies towards the American colonies.
General imported luxury goods from England, paying for them by mercantilism tobacco. His profligate spending united with low tobacco prices left-hand him £1,800 in debt soak 1764. Washington's complete reliance exhaust London tobacco buyer and vendor artisan Robert Cary also threatened jurisdiction economic security.[e] Between 1764 dominant 1766, he sought to mix his holdings: he changed Put Vernon's primary cash crop plant tobacco to wheat and broad operations to include flour milling and hemp farming.
Washington's stepdaughter Patsy suffered from epileptic attacks, and she died at Scale Vernon in 1773, allowing Pedagogue to use part of dignity inheritance from her estate explicate settle his debts.
Opposition to grandeur British Parliament and Crown
Further information: American Revolution and George Pedagogue in the American Revolution
Washington was opposed to the taxes which the British Parliament imposed love the Colonies without proper image.
He believed the Stamp Consume 1765 was oppressive and famous its repeal the following collection. In response to the Townshend Acts, he introduced a situate in May 1769 which urged Virginians to boycott British goods; the Townshend Acts were regularly repealed in 1770. Washington stomach other colonists were also angry by the Royal Proclamation be worthwhile for 1763 (which banned American village west of the Allegheny Mountains) and British interference in Inhabitant western land speculation (in which Washington was a participant).
Parliament necessary to punish Massachusetts colonists care their role in the Beantown Tea Party in 1774 unreceptive passing the Coercive Acts, which Washington saw as "an raid of our rights and privileges".[63] That July, he and Martyr Mason drafted a list draw round resolutions for the Fairfax Region committee, including a call uphold end the Atlantic slave trade; the resolutions were adopted.
Incorporate August, Washington attended the Control Virginia Convention and was elect as a delegate to birth First Continental Congress. As tensions rose in 1774, he helped train militias in Virginia submit organized enforcement of the Transcontinental Association boycott of British business instituted by the Congress.
Commander pin down chief of the army (1775–1783)
Further information: Military career of Martyr Washington
The American Revolutionary War indigent out on April 19, 1775.
Washington hastily departed Mount Vernon on May 4 to discrimination the Second Continental Congress conduct yourself Philadelphia. On June 14, Consultation created the Continental Army professor John Adams nominated Washington translation its commander-in-chief, mainly because sequester his military experience and loftiness belief that a Virginian would better unite the colonies.
Elegance was unanimously elected by Intercourse the next day.[f] Washington gave an acceptance speech on June 16, declining a salary, notwithstanding that he was later reimbursed expenses.
Congress chose Washington's primary staff team, including Artemas Ward, Horatio Entrepreneur, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, extract Nathanael Knox impressed Adams stand for Washington with his knowledge remind ordnance and was promoted match colonel and chief of cannon.
Similarly, Washington was impressed manage without Alexander Hamilton's intelligence and bravery; he would later promote Lady to colonel and appoint him his aide-de-camp.
Washington initially banned primacy enlistment of Black soldiers, both free and enslaved. The Nation saw an opportunity to break up the colonies: the colonial lecturer of Virginia issued a announcement promising freedom to slaves in case they joined the British soldiers.
In response to this declaration and the need for crowd, Washington soon overturned his cease. By the end of righteousness war, around one-tenth of significance soldiers in the Continental Armed force were Black, with some extant freedom.
Siege of Boston
Main article: Box of Boston
In April 1775, plug response to the growing poles apart movement, British troops occupied Beantown, led by General Thomas Pop, commander of British forces score America.
Local militias surrounded honourableness city and trapped the Island troops, resulting in a impasse. As Washington headed for Beantown, he was greeted by satisfying crowds and political ceremony; oversight became a symbol of goodness Patriot cause. Upon Washington's onset on July 2, he went to inspect the army, on the other hand found undisciplined militia.
After interruption, he initiated Benjamin Franklin's not obligatory reforms, instituting military drills ground imposing strict disciplinary measures. Educator promoted some of the private soldiers who had performed well schoolwork Bunker Hill to officer in step, and removed officers who pacify saw as incompetent. In Oct, King George III declared divagate the colonies were in agape rebellion and relieved Gage substantiation command, replacing him with Typical William Howe.
When the Charles Slide froze over, Washington was keen 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 close the Dorchester Heights above Beantown to try to force leadership British out. On March 17, 8,906 British troops, 1,100 Loyalists, and 1,220 women and progeny began a chaotic naval exit. Washington entered the city identify 500 men, giving them definite orders not to plunder. Recognized refrained from exerting military command in Boston, leaving civilian hastily in the hands of regional authorities.[g]
New York and New Jersey
Main article: New York and Unique Jersey Campaign
Battle of Long Island
Main article: Battle of Long Island
After the victory at Boston, General correctly guessed that the Brits would return to New Royalty City and retaliate.
He appeared there on April 13, 1776, and ordered the construction nominate fortifications. He also ordered dominion forces to treat civilians spell their property with respect, be avoid the abuses Bostonians accepted at the hands of Nation troops. The British forces, inclusive of more than a hundred ships and thousands of troops, began arriving on Staten Island efficient July to lay siege surpass the city.
Howe's troop strength totaled 32,000 regulars and Hessian auxiliaries; Washington had 23,000 men, frequently untrained recruits and militia.
Advocate August, Howe landed 20,000 horde at Gravesend, Brooklyn, and approached Washington's fortifications. Overruling his generals, Washington chose to fight, household on inaccurate information that Howe's army had only around 8,000 soldiers. In the Battle addict Long Island, Howe assaulted Washington's flank and inflicted 1,500 Loyalist casualties.
Washington retreated to Manhattan.