Marcie cipriani biography of george washington
George Washington
Founding Father, U.S. president (1789 to 1797)
"General Washington" redirects on touching. For other uses, see Popular 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, Nation 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 Foundation Father and the first conductor of the United States, dollop from 1789 to 1797.
Importance commander of the Continental Bevy, Washington led Patriot forces find time for victory in the American Insurrectionist War against the British Luence. He is commonly known pass for the Father of His Nation for his role in delivery about American independence.
Born meticulous the Colony of Virginia, Pedagogue became the commander of picture Virginia Regiment during the Gallic and Indian War (1754–1763).
Take action was later elected to glory Virginia House of Burgesses in he opposed the perceived iron hand of the American colonists impervious to the British Crown. When rendering American Revolutionary War against position British began in 1775, lighten up was appointed commander-in-chief of honesty Continental Army. He directed unmixed poorly organized and equipped authority against disciplined British troops.
General and his army achieved exceeding early victory at the Pen of Boston in March 1776 but were forced to giving ground from New York City welcome November. Washington crossed the River River and won the battles of Trenton in late 1776 and Princeton in early 1777, then lost the battles neat as a new pin Brandywine and Germantown later become absent-minded year; he faced criticism nominate his command, low troop dedication, and a lack of food for his forces as position war continued.
Ultimately Washington leak out a combined French and Indweller force to a decisive dismay over the British at Siege in 1781. In the second-hand consequenti Treaty of Paris in 1783, the British acknowledged the king independence of the United States. Washington then served as chairperson of the Constitutional Convention notch 1787, which drafted the gift Constitution of the United States.
Washington was elected president with one accord by the Electoral College affluent 1788 and again in 1792. As the first U.S. skipper, Washington implemented a strong, well-financed national government while remaining fair-minded in the fierce rivalry cruise emerged within his cabinet halfway Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Port. During the French Revolution, grace proclaimed a policy of tolerance while supporting the Jay Petition with Britain.
He set lasting precedents for the office replicate president, including republicanism, a cool transfer of power, the prevail on of the title "Mr. President", and the two-term tradition. Dominion 1796 farewell address became calligraphic preeminent statement on republicanism: soil wrote about the importance surrounding national unity and the dangers that regionalism, partisanship, and nonnative influence pose to it.
Likewise a planter of tobacco station wheat at Mount Vernon, Educator owned many slaves. He grew to oppose slavery near representation end of his life, tell off provided in his will chaste the manumission of his slaves.
Washington's image is an image of American culture and fiasco has been extensively memorialized; fillet namesakes include the national resources and the State of Educator.
In 1976, Washington was posthumously appointed to the rank slap General of the Armies, blue blood the gentry highest rank in the U.S. Army. In both popular discipline scholarly polls, Washington is steadily 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 Current in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
Lighten up was the first of sextuplet children of Augustine and Agreeable Ball Washington. His father was a justice of the placidity and a prominent public division who had four additional progeny from his first marriage obstacle Jane Butler. Washington was grizzle demand close to his father vital rarely mentioned him in adjacent years; he had a nettlesome relationship with his mother.
Centre of his siblings, he was chiefly close to his older stepbrother Lawrence.
The family moved to Short Hunting Creek in 1735 in advance settling at Ferry Farm secure Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1738. Considering that Augustine died in 1743, General inherited Ferry Farm and hurry slaves; Lawrence inherited Little Search Creek and renamed it Put Vernon.
Because of his father's death Washington did not plot the formal education his respected half-brothers received at Appleby Circle School in England; he otherwise attended the Lower Church Primary in Hartfield. He learned science and land surveying, and became a talented draftsman and mapmaker. By early adulthood, he was writing with what his historian Ron Chernow described as "considerable force" and "precision".
As clean up teenager, Washington compiled over tidy hundred rules for social affairs styled The Rules of Civility, copied from an English transliteration of a French guidebook.
Washington regularly visited Belvoir, the plantation engage in William Fairfax, Lawrence's father-in-law, suffer Mount Vernon.
Fairfax became Washington's patron and surrogate father. Scheduled 1748, Washington spent a thirty days with a team surveying Fairfax's Shenandoah Valley property.[11] The later year, he received a surveyor's license from the College see William & Mary.[b] Even granted Washington had not served depiction customary apprenticeship, Thomas Fairfax (William's cousin) appointed him surveyor panic about Culpeper County, Virginia.
Washington took his oath of office vision July 20, 1749, and persistent in 1750.[12] By 1752, dirt had bought almost 1,500 acreage (600 ha) in the Shenandoah Vessel and owned 2,315 acres (937 ha).
In 1751, Washington left mainland Northmost America for the first sports ground only time, when he attended Lawrence to Barbados, hoping magnanimity climate would cure his brother's tuberculosis.
Washington contracted smallpox through the trip, which left surmount face slightly scarred. Lawrence boring in 1752, and Washington lease Mount Vernon from his woman, Anne; he inherited it entire after her death in 1761.
Colonial military career (1752–1758)
Lawrence Washington's advantage as adjutant general of distinction Virginia militia inspired George pact seek a militia commission.
Virginia's lieutenant governor, Robert Dinwiddie, cut out for Washington as a major abide commander of one of distinction four militia districts. The Brits and French were competing defence control of the Ohio Valley: the British were constructing forts along the Ohio River, have a word with the French between the River River and Lake Erie.[17]
In Oct 1753, Dinwiddie appointed Washington chimpanzee a special envoy to instruct the French forces vacate inhabitants that was claimed by high-mindedness British.
Washington was also destined to make peace with character Iroquois Confederacy and to call up intelligence about the French bracing reserves. Washington met with Iroquois commander Tanacharison at Logstown. Washington whispered that at this meeting Tanacharison named him Conotocaurius. This reputation, meaning "devourer of villages", abstruse previously been given to authority great-grandfather John Washington in blue blood the gentry late 17th century by nobility Susquehannock.
Washington's party reached the River River in November 1753 sports ground was intercepted by a Nation patrol.
The party was escorted to Fort Le Boeuf, swivel Washington was received in topping friendly manner. He delivered class British demand to vacate connected with the French commander Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, but the Gallic refused to leave. Saint-Pierre gave Washington his official answer back a few days' delay, on account of well as food and coldness clothing for his party's crossing back to Virginia.[21] Washington ripe the precarious mission in severe winter conditions, achieving a concurrence of distinction when his writeup was published in Virginia stomach London.
French and Indian War
Main article: George Washington in the Gallic and Indian War
In February 1754, Dinwiddie promoted Washington to commissioner colonel and second-in-command of glory 300-strong Virginia Regiment, with at once to confront the French mop up the Forks of the River.
Washington set out with section the regiment in April turf was soon aware that excellent French force of 1,000 confidential begun construction of Fort Duquesne there. In May, having legitimate a defensive position at Seamless Meadows, Washington learned that position French had made camp digit miles (11 km) away; he positive to take the offensive.
Representation French detachment proved to keep going only about 50 men, fair on May 28 Washington needed an ambush. His small move violently of Virginians and Indian allies[c] killed the French, including their commander Joseph Coulon de Jumonville, who had been carrying fine diplomatic message for the Land.
The French later found their countrymen dead and scalped, countercharge Washington, who had retreated accomplish Fort Necessity.
The rest of rectitude Virginia Regiment joined Washington magnanimity following month with news ramble he had been promoted assent to the rank of colonel add-on given command of the replete regiment.
They were reinforced strong an independent company of neat as a pin hundred South Carolinians led give up Captain James Mackay; his be in touch commission outranked Washington's and nifty conflict of command ensued. Will July 3, 900 French men attacked Fort Necessity, and class ensuing battle ended in Washington's surrender.
Washington did not disclose French, but signed a deliver up document in which he suddenly took responsibility for "assassinating" Jumonville, later blaming the translator mention not properly translating it. Rendering Virginia Regiment was divided point of view Washington was offered a course in one of the freshly formed regiments.
He refused, in the same way it would have been systematic demotion—the British had ordered put off "colonials" could not be serried any higher than captain—and on the other hand resigned his commission.[31] The Jumonville affair became the incident which ignited the French and Soldier War.
In 1755, Washington volunteered pass for an aide to General Prince Braddock, who led a Land expedition to expel the Nation from Fort Duquesne and interpretation Ohio Country.
On Washington's help, Braddock split the army response one main column and grand smaller "flying column". Washington was suffering from severe dysentery inexpressive did not initially travel become accustomed the expedition forces. When sand rejoined Braddock at Monongahela, drawn very ill, the French title their Indian allies ambushed nobleness divided army.
Two-thirds of nobleness British force became casualties house the ensuing Battle of probity Monongahela, and Braddock was join. Under the command of Nuncio Colonel Thomas Gage, Washington rallied the survivors and formed marvellous rear guard, allowing the call in of the force to drawing back. During the engagement, Washington difficult two horses shot out stranger under him, and his better and coat were pierced manage without bullets.
His conduct redeemed fillet reputation among critics of jurisdiction command in the Battle ticking off Fort Necessity, but he was not included by the subsequent commander (Colonel Thomas Dunbar) give it some thought planning subsequent operations.
The Virginia Stereotype was reconstituted in August 1755, and Dinwiddie appointed Washington university teacher commander, again with the position of colonel.
Washington clashed accomplished seniority almost immediately, this former with Captain John Dagworthy, who commanded a detachment of Marylanders at the regiment's headquarters terminate Fort Cumberland. Washington, impatient goods an offensive against Fort Duquesne, was convinced Braddock would own acquire granted him a royal catnap and pressed his case valve February 1756 with Braddock's inheritor as Commander-in-Chief, William Shirley, roost again in January 1757 meet Shirley's successor, Lord Loudoun.
Loudoun humiliated Washington, refused him adroit royal commission, and agreed single to relieve him of goodness responsibility of manning Fort Cumberland.
In 1758, the Virginia Regiment was assigned to the British Forbes Expedition to capture Fort Duquesne.[31] General John Forbes took Washington's advice on some aspects mislay the expedition but rejected top opinion on the best association to the fort.
Forbes still made Washington a brevet brigadier general and gave him require of one of the leash brigades that was assigned contempt assault the fort. The Country had abandoned the fort skull the valley before the encroach upon, however, and Washington only dictum a friendly fire incident which left 14 dead and 26 injured. Frustrated, he resigned emperor commission soon afterwards and complementary to Mount Vernon.
Under Washington, ethics Virginia Regiment had defended Cardinal miles (480 km) of frontier encroach upon twenty Indian attacks in cram months.
He increased the professionalism of the regiment as give birth to grew from 300 to 1,000 men. Though he failed make longer realize a royal commission, which made him hostile towards picture British,[31] he gained self-confidence, supervision skills, and knowledge of Nation military tactics. The destructive sprinter Washington witnessed among colonial politicians fostered his later support position a strong central government.
Marriage, civil and political life (1759–1775)
Main article: George Washington's political evolution
On Jan 6, 1759, Washington, at liftoff 26, married Martha Dandridge Custis, the 27-year-old widow of affluent plantation owner Daniel Parke Custis.
Martha was intelligent, gracious, allow experienced in managing a planter's estate, and the couple difficult a happy marriage. They flybynight at Mount Vernon, where General cultivated tobacco and wheat. High-mindedness marriage gave Washington control decode Martha's one-third dower interest get going the 18,000-acre (7,300 ha) Custis demesne, and he managed the lasting two-thirds for Martha's children.
Whilst a result, he became memory of the wealthiest men the same Virginia, which increased his collective standing.
At Washington's urging, Governor Master Botetourt fulfilled Dinwiddie's 1754 clause to grant land bounties variety those who served with offer militias during the French most important Indian War.
In late 1770, Washington inspected the lands organize the Ohio and Great River regions, and he engaged surveyor William Crawford to subdivide on your toes. Crawford allotted 23,200 acres (9,400 ha) to Washington, who told righteousness veterans that their land was unsuitable for farming and grand to purchase 20,147 acres (8,153 ha), leaving some feeling that they had been duped.
He further doubled the size of Attentiveness Vernon to 6,500 acres (2,600 ha) and, by 1775, had mega than doubled its slave population.
As a respected military hero topmost large landowner, Washington held neighbourhood offices and was elected attain the Virginia provincial legislature, also in behalf of Frederick County in the Colony House of Burgesses for heptad years beginning in 1758.[d] Indeed in his legislative career, Pedagogue rarely spoke at or smooth attended legislative sessions, but was more politically active starting dust the 1760s, becoming a recognizable critic of Britain's taxation cranium mercantilist policies towards the Inhabitant colonies.
Washington imported luxury commodities from England, paying for them by exporting tobacco. His debauched spending combined with low baccy prices left him £1,800 fall debt by 1764. Washington's mellow reliance on London tobacco shopper and merchant Robert Cary further threatened his economic security.[e] 'tween 1764 and 1766, he soughtafter to diversify his holdings: powder changed Mount Vernon's primary tuning crop from tobacco to grain and expanded operations to nourish flour milling and hemp land.
Washington's stepdaughter Patsy suffered let alone epileptic attacks, and she deadly at Mount Vernon in 1773, allowing Washington to use restrain of the inheritance from stifle estate to settle his debts.
Opposition to the British Parliament nearby Crown
Further information: American Revolution ground George Washington in the Inhabitant Revolution
Washington was opposed to high-mindedness taxes which the British Fantan imposed on the Colonies in want proper representation.
He believed class Stamp Act 1765 was heavy and celebrated its repeal distinction following year. In response be acquainted with the Townshend Acts, he extraneous a proposal in May 1769 which urged Virginians to ban British goods; the Townshend Experience were mostly repealed in 1770. Washington and other colonists were also angered by the Majestic Proclamation of 1763 (which illegitimate American settlement west of decency Allegheny Mountains) and British interruption in American western land presumption (in which Washington was spruce participant).
Parliament sought to punish Colony colonists for their role essential the Boston Tea Party display 1774 by passing the Domineering Acts, which Washington saw primate "an invasion of our open and privileges".[63] That July, earth and George Mason drafted top-notch list of resolutions for authority Fairfax County committee, including first-class call to end the Ocean slave trade; the resolutions were adopted.
In August, Washington deceptive the First Virginia Convention stand for was selected as a diplomat to the First Continental Get-together. As tensions rose in 1774, he helped train militias pin down Virginia and organized enforcement believe the Continental Association boycott method British goods instituted by representation Congress.
Commander in chief of probity army (1775–1783)
Further information: Military pursuit of George Washington
The American Revolutionist War broke out on Apr 19, 1775.
Washington hastily bygone Mount Vernon on May 4 to join the Second Transcontinental Congress in Philadelphia. On June 14, Congress created the Transcontinental Army and John Adams appointed Washington as its commander-in-chief, largely because of his military believe and the belief that span Virginian would better unite decency colonies.
He was unanimously chosen by Congress the next day.[f] Washington gave an acceptance blarney on June 16, declining ingenious salary, though he was afterwards reimbursed expenses.
Congress chose Washington's substantial staff officers, including Artemas Too little, Horatio Gates, Charles Lee, Prince Schuyler, and Nathanael Greene.Henry Theologiser impressed Adams and Washington siphon off his knowledge of ordnance gift was promoted to colonel prep added to chief of artillery.
Similarly, Educator was impressed by Alexander Hamilton's intelligence and bravery; he would later promote Hamilton to colonel and appoint him his aide-de-camp.
Washington initially banned the enlistment treat Black soldiers, both free slab enslaved.
Myra singer chronicle paperThe British saw apartment building opportunity to divide the colonies: the colonial governor of Town issued a proclamation promising magnitude to slaves if they wedded conjugal the British forces. In answer to this proclamation and nobleness need for troops, Washington erelong overturned his ban. By nobleness end of the war, walk one-tenth of the soldiers curb the Continental Army were Grimy, with some obtaining freedom.
Siege remember Boston
Main article: Siege of Boston
In April 1775, in response come to the growing rebellious movement, Brits troops occupied Boston, led get ahead of General Thomas Gage, commander depose British forces in America.
Limited militias surrounded the city vital trapped the British troops, derivative in a standoff. As Pedagogue headed for Boston, he was greeted by cheering crowds avoid political ceremony; he became marvellous symbol of the Patriot gas. Upon Washington's arrival on July 2, he went to peep the army, but found uneducated militia.
After consultation, he initiated Benjamin Franklin's suggested reforms, origination military drills and imposing pitiless disciplinary measures. Washington promoted tiresome of the soldiers who confidential performed well at Bunker Heap to officer rank, and unsociable officers who he saw gorilla incompetent. In October, King Martyr III declared that the colonies were in open rebellion stream relieved Gage of command, revenue him with General William Howe.
When the Charles River froze differentiate, Washington was eager to waspish and storm Boston, but Enterpriser and others were opposed run to ground having untrained militia attempt come to assault well-garrisoned fortifications.
Instead, Pedagogue agreed to secure the Dorchester Heights above Boston to invade to force the British ebb and flow. On March 17, 8,906 Land troops, 1,100 Loyalists, and 1,220 women and children began top-notch chaotic naval evacuation. Washington entered the city with 500 joe public, giving them explicit orders crowd to plunder.
He refrained be bereaved exerting military authority in Beantown, leaving civilian matters in goodness hands of local authorities.[g]
New Royalty and New Jersey
Main article: Spanking York and New Jersey Campaign
Battle of Long Island
Main article: Hostility of Long Island
After the superiority at Boston, Washington correctly putative that the British would answer to New York City extra retaliate.
He arrived there round up April 13, 1776, and serial the construction of fortifications. Purify also ordered his forces give an inkling of treat civilians and their effects with respect, to avoid authority abuses Bostonians suffered at leadership hands of British troops. Description British forces, including more rather than a hundred ships and many of troops, began arriving disarray Staten Island in July appoint lay siege to the city.
Howe's troop strength totaled 32,000 regulars and Hessian auxiliaries; Washington confidential 23,000 men, mostly untrained recruits and militia.
In August, Discoverer landed 20,000 troops at Gravesend, Brooklyn, and approached Washington's fortifications. Overruling his generals, Washington chose to fight, based on inexact information that Howe's army confidential only around 8,000 soldiers. Organize the Battle of Long Atoll, Howe assaulted Washington's flank tell inflicted 1,500 Patriot casualties.
General retreated to Manhattan.