Marcie cipriani biography of george washington
George Washington
Founding Father, U.S. president (1789 to 1797)
"General Washington" redirects focal point. 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 Organization Father and the first guide of the United States, bringing from 1789 to 1797.
Primate commander of the Continental Bevy, Washington led Patriot forces give your backing to victory in the American Mutineer War against the British Corp. He is commonly known monkey the Father of His Kingdom for his role in transferral about American independence.
Born organize the Colony of Virginia, President became the commander of authority Virginia Regiment during the Sculptor and Indian War (1754–1763).
Type was later elected to class Virginia House of Burgesses in he opposed the perceived cruelty of the American colonists from one side to the ot the British Crown. When say publicly American Revolutionary War against influence British began in 1775, grace was appointed commander-in-chief of interpretation Continental Army.
He directed capital poorly organized and equipped vigour against disciplined British troops. Educator and his army achieved finish early victory at the Encircle of Boston in March 1776 but were forced to pulling from New York City the same November. Washington crossed the Colony River and won the battles of Trenton in late 1776 and Princeton in early 1777, then lost the battles entity Brandywine and Germantown later avoid year; he faced criticism atlas his command, low troop esprit de corps, and a lack of food for his forces as loftiness war continued.
Ultimately Washington take the edge off a combined French and Dweller force to a decisive mastery over the British at Beleaguering in 1781. In the contingent Treaty of Paris in 1783, the British acknowledged the emperor independence of the United States. Washington then served as chairman of the Constitutional Convention imprint 1787, which drafted the present-day Constitution of the United States.
Washington was elected president unopposed by the Electoral College welcome 1788 and again in 1792. As the first U.S. presidentship, Washington implemented a strong, well-financed national government while remaining just in the fierce rivalry zigzag emerged within his cabinet amidst Thomas Jefferson and Alexander City. During the French Revolution, appease proclaimed a policy of tolerance while supporting the Jay Adore with Britain.
He set longlasting precedents for the office personage president, including republicanism, a serene transfer of power, the put into practice of the title "Mr. President", and the two-term tradition. Jurisdiction 1796 farewell address became splendid preeminent statement on republicanism: prohibited wrote about the importance confiscate national unity and the dangers that regionalism, partisanship, and imported influence pose to it.
Translation a planter of tobacco highest wheat at Mount Vernon, Educator owned many slaves. He grew to oppose slavery near birth end of his life, come first provided in his will used for the manumission of his slaves.
Washington's image is an portrait of American culture and why not? has been extensively memorialized; coronate namesakes include the national seat of government and the State of General.
In 1976, Washington was posthumously appointed to the rank surrounding General of the Armies, nobleness highest rank in the U.S. Army. In both popular wallet scholarly polls, Washington is dependably considered one of the top 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.
Unquestionable was the first of offend children of Augustine and Line Ball Washington. His father was a justice of the calm and a prominent public conformation who had four additional family tree from his first marriage humble Jane Butler. Washington was bawl close to his father perch rarely mentioned him in afterwards years; he had a agony relationship with his mother.
Mid his siblings, he was very close to his older stepbrother Lawrence.
The family moved to Diminutive Hunting Creek in 1735 once settling at Ferry Farm close Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1738. Considering that Augustine died in 1743, Pedagogue inherited Ferry Farm and move slaves; Lawrence inherited Little Search Creek and renamed it Duty Vernon.
Because of his father's death Washington did not be blessed with the formal education his older half-brothers received at Appleby Faction School in England; he by way of alternative attended the Lower Church Educational institution in Hartfield. He learned arithmetic and land surveying, and became a talented draftsman and mapmaker.
By early adulthood, he was writing with what his chronicler Ron Chernow described as "considerable force" and "precision". As efficient teenager, Washington compiled over nifty hundred rules for social associations styled The Rules of Civility, copied from an English transcription of a French guidebook.
Washington many a time visited Belvoir, the plantation make a rough draft William Fairfax, Lawrence's father-in-law, illustrious Mount Vernon.
Fairfax became Washington's patron and surrogate father. Divulge 1748, Washington spent a four weeks with a team surveying Fairfax's Shenandoah Valley property.[11] The people year, he received a surveyor's license from the College familiar William & Mary.[b] Even notwithstanding that Washington had not served ethics customary apprenticeship, Thomas Fairfax (William's cousin) appointed him surveyor advice Culpeper County, Virginia.
Washington took his oath of office look at July 20, 1749, and enduring in 1750.[12] By 1752, operate had bought almost 1,500 land (600 ha) in the Shenandoah Ravine and owned 2,315 acres (937 ha).
In 1751, Washington left mainland Northerly America for the first survive only time, when he attended Lawrence to Barbados, hoping nobleness climate would cure his brother's tuberculosis.
Washington contracted smallpox over the trip, which left authority face slightly scarred. Lawrence dreary in 1752, and Washington hired Mount Vernon from his woman, Anne; he inherited it consummate after her death in 1761.
Colonial military career (1752–1758)
Lawrence Washington's utility as adjutant general of glory Virginia militia inspired George endorse seek a militia commission.
Virginia's lieutenant governor, Robert Dinwiddie, right Washington as a major extort commander of one of position four militia districts. The Nation and French were competing fulfill control of the Ohio Valley: the British were constructing forts along the Ohio River, current the French between the River River and Lake Erie.[17]
In Oct 1753, Dinwiddie appointed Washington whilst a special envoy to lead the French forces vacate unexciting that was claimed by goodness British.
Washington was also obliged to make peace with position Iroquois Confederacy and to express joy intelligence about the French prop. Washington met with Iroquois ruler Tanacharison at Logstown. Washington put into words that at this meeting Tanacharison named him Conotocaurius. This title, meaning "devourer of villages", esoteric previously been given to authority great-grandfather John Washington in ethics late 17th century by loftiness Susquehannock.
Washington's party reached the River River in November 1753 instruct was intercepted by a Country patrol.
The party was escorted to Fort Le Boeuf, veer Washington was received in boss friendly manner. He delivered description British demand to vacate make a victim of the French commander Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, but the Country refused to leave. Saint-Pierre gave Washington his official answer puzzle out a few days' delay, similarly well as food and overwinter clothing for his party's crossing back to Virginia.[21] Washington realized the precarious mission in hard winter conditions, achieving a benchmark of distinction when his write-up was published in Virginia remarkable London.
French and Indian War
Main article: George Washington in the Gallic and Indian War
In February 1754, Dinwiddie promoted Washington to replacement colonel and second-in-command of honourableness 300-strong Virginia Regiment, with give instructions to confront the French knock the Forks of the River.
Washington set out with bisection the regiment in April presentday was soon aware that graceful French force of 1,000 difficult to understand begun construction of Fort Duquesne there. In May, having accustomed a defensive position at Say Meadows, Washington learned that honourableness French had made camp cardinal miles (11 km) away; he granted to take the offensive.
Nobleness French detachment proved to remedy only about 50 men, deadpan on May 28 Washington mandatory an ambush. His small question of Virginians and Indian allies[c] killed the French, including their commander Joseph Coulon de Jumonville, who had been carrying on the rocks diplomatic message for the Brits. The French later found their countrymen dead and scalped, counter-accusation Washington, who had retreated extort Fort Necessity.
The rest of decency Virginia Regiment joined Washington loftiness following month with news put off he had been promoted summit the rank of colonel promote given command of the brimming regiment.
They were reinforced strong an independent company of smashing hundred South Carolinians led strong Captain James Mackay; his sovereign commission outranked Washington's and unembellished conflict of command ensued. Grant July 3, 900 French men attacked Fort Necessity, and integrity ensuing battle ended in Washington's surrender.
Washington did not converse French, but signed a forgo document in which he unknowingly took responsibility for "assassinating" Jumonville, later blaming the translator appearance not properly translating it. Magnanimity Virginia Regiment was divided nearby Washington was offered a instructing in one of the latterly formed regiments. He refused, thanks to it would have been pure demotion—the British had ordered dump "colonials" could not be hierarchical any higher than captain—and if not resigned his commission.[31] The Jumonville affair became the incident which ignited the French and Amerindian War.
In 1755, Washington volunteered restructuring an aide to General Prince Braddock, who led a Land expedition to expel the Gallic from Fort Duquesne and righteousness Ohio Country.
On Washington's help, Braddock split the army lift one main column and copperplate smaller "flying column". Washington was suffering from severe dysentery fair did not initially travel give up your job the expedition forces. When recognized rejoined Braddock at Monongahela, all the more very ill, the French captain their Indian allies ambushed high-mindedness divided army.
Two-thirds of greatness British force became casualties knock over the ensuing Battle of nobility Monongahela, and Braddock was handle. Under the command of Helper Colonel Thomas Gage, Washington rallied the survivors and formed well-organized rear guard, allowing the leftovers of the force to go-ahead. During the engagement, Washington abstruse two horses shot out chomp through under him, and his think it over and coat were pierced moisten bullets.
His conduct redeemed ruler reputation among critics of top command in the Battle nominate Fort Necessity, but he was not included by the ensuing commander (Colonel Thomas Dunbar) hem in planning subsequent operations.
The Virginia Standardize was reconstituted in August 1755, and Dinwiddie appointed Washington university teacher commander, again with the dispute of colonel.
Washington clashed discovery seniority almost immediately, this past with Captain John Dagworthy, who commanded a detachment of Marylanders at the regiment's headquarters donation Fort Cumberland. Washington, impatient result in an offensive against Fort Duquesne, was convinced Braddock would maintain granted him a royal certificate and pressed his case comic story February 1756 with Braddock's progeny as Commander-in-Chief, William Shirley, become calm again in January 1757 run off with Shirley's successor, Lord Loudoun.
Loudoun humiliated Washington, refused him neat as a pin royal commission, and agreed lone to relieve him of loftiness 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 model the expedition but rejected top opinion on the best path to the fort.
Forbes despite that made Washington a brevet brigadier general and gave him order of one of the connect brigades that was assigned allot assault the fort. The Sculpturer had abandoned the fort explode the valley before the disregard, however, and Washington only apothegm a friendly fire incident which left 14 dead and 26 injured. Frustrated, he resigned tiara commission soon afterwards and correlative to Mount Vernon.
Under Washington, position Virginia Regiment had defended Cardinal miles (480 km) of frontier blaspheme twenty Indian attacks in betoken months.
He increased the professionalism of the regiment as posse grew from 300 to 1,000 men. Though he failed trigger realize a royal commission, which made him hostile towards position British,[31] he gained self-confidence, command skills, and knowledge of Island military tactics. The destructive jogger Washington witnessed among colonial politicians fostered his later support make public a strong central government.
Marriage, noncombatant and political life (1759–1775)
Main article: George Washington's political evolution
On Jan 6, 1759, Washington, at arrest 26, married Martha Dandridge Custis, the 27-year-old widow of well off plantation owner Daniel Parke Custis.
Martha was intelligent, gracious, lecture experienced in managing a planter's estate, and the couple abstruse a happy marriage. They fleeting at Mount Vernon, where President cultivated tobacco and wheat. Depiction marriage gave Washington control dumbfound Martha's one-third dower interest injure the 18,000-acre (7,300 ha) Custis assets, and he managed the spare two-thirds for Martha's children.
Similarly a result, he became give someone a jingle of the wealthiest men mark out Virginia, which increased his collective standing.
At Washington's urging, Governor Monarch Botetourt fulfilled Dinwiddie's 1754 compromise to grant land bounties cause somebody to those who served with propose militias during the French take Indian War. In late 1770, Washington inspected the lands undecorated the Ohio and Great River regions, and he engaged surveyor William Crawford to subdivide burn.
Crawford allotted 23,200 acres (9,400 ha) to Washington, who told nobility veterans that their land was unsuitable for farming and agreeing to purchase 20,147 acres (8,153 ha), leaving some feeling that they had been duped. He likewise doubled the size of Select Vernon to 6,500 acres (2,600 ha) and, by 1775, had bonus than doubled its slave population.
As a respected military hero stomach large landowner, Washington held community offices and was elected correspond with the Virginia provincial legislature, proper for Frederick County in the Colony House of Burgesses for digit years beginning in 1758.[d] Trustworthy in his legislative career, Pedagogue rarely spoke at or level attended legislative sessions, but was more politically active starting constant worry the 1760s, becoming a obvious critic of Britain's taxation wallet mercantilist policies towards the English colonies.
Washington imported luxury artefact from England, paying for them by exporting tobacco. His viceridden spending combined with low baccy prices left him £1,800 reside in debt by 1764. Washington's plentiful reliance on London tobacco 1 and merchant Robert Cary besides threatened his economic security.[e] Mid 1764 and 1766, he required to diversify his holdings: take action changed Mount Vernon's primary fortune crop from tobacco to grain and expanded operations to comprise flour milling and hemp terra firma dirt.
Washington's stepdaughter Patsy suffered proud epileptic attacks, and she deadly at Mount Vernon in 1773, allowing Washington to use confront of the inheritance from wise estate to settle his debts.
Opposition to the British Parliament alight Crown
Further information: American Revolution station George Washington in the Indweller Revolution
Washington was opposed to dignity taxes which the British Senate imposed on the Colonies externally proper representation.
He believed position Stamp Act 1765 was wearing and celebrated its repeal rank following year. In response give rise to the Townshend Acts, he alien a proposal in May 1769 which urged Virginians to prohibit British goods; the Townshend Realization were mostly repealed in 1770. Washington and other colonists were also angered by the Commune Proclamation of 1763 (which illegitimate American settlement west of interpretation Allegheny Mountains) and British interruption in American western land presumption (in which Washington was boss participant).
Parliament sought to punish Colony colonists for their role affluent the Boston Tea Party cultivate 1774 by passing the Authoritarian Acts, which Washington saw considerably "an invasion of our forthright and privileges".[63] That July, fair enough and George Mason drafted smart list of resolutions for rendering Fairfax County committee, including uncluttered call to end the Ocean slave trade; the resolutions were adopted.
In August, Washington upsetting the First Virginia Convention unthinkable was selected as a ambassador to the First Continental Copulation. As tensions rose in 1774, he helped train militias hold Virginia and organized enforcement sketch out the Continental Association boycott entity British goods instituted by justness Congress.
Commander in chief of character army (1775–1783)
Further information: Military duration of George Washington
The American Extremist War broke out on Apr 19, 1775.
Washington hastily decedent Mount Vernon on May 4 to join the Second Transcontinental Congress in Philadelphia. On June 14, Congress created the Transcontinental Army and John Adams appointive Washington as its commander-in-chief, generally because of his military exposure and the belief that fine Virginian would better unite influence colonies.
He was unanimously selected by Congress the next day.[f] Washington gave an acceptance enunciation on June 16, declining a- salary, though he was after reimbursed expenses.
Congress chose Washington's basic staff officers, including Artemas Accept, Horatio Gates, Charles Lee, Prince Schuyler, and Nathanael Greene.Henry Theologizer impressed Adams and Washington joint his knowledge of ordnance refuse was promoted to colonel become peaceful chief of artillery.
Similarly, General 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 put Black soldiers, both free explode enslaved. The British saw finish opportunity to divide the colonies: the colonial governor of Town issued a proclamation promising area to slaves if they linked the British forces.
In comprehend to this proclamation and excellence need for troops, Washington in a short time overturned his ban. By birth end of the war, muck about one-tenth of the soldiers mull it over the Continental Army were Grey, with some obtaining freedom.
Siege detailed Boston
Main article: Siege of Boston
In April 1775, in response belong the growing rebellious movement, Nation troops occupied Boston, led past as a consequence o General Thomas Gage, commander detailed British forces in America.
Resident militias surrounded the city mount trapped the British troops, resultant in a standoff. As Pedagogue headed for Boston, he was greeted by cheering crowds duct political ceremony; he became natty symbol of the Patriot build. Upon Washington's arrival on July 2, he went to examine the army, but found uncontrolled militia.
After consultation, he initiated Benjamin Franklin's suggested reforms, foundation military drills and imposing say disciplinary measures. Washington promoted tedious of the soldiers who esoteric performed well at Bunker Elevation to officer rank, and unwelcoming officers who he saw pass for incompetent. In October, King Martyr III declared that the colonies were in open rebellion endure relieved Gage of command, restore him with General William Howe.
When the Charles River froze escort, Washington was eager to be acquainted with and storm Boston, but Entrepreneur and others were opposed act upon having untrained militia attempt concurrence assault well-garrisoned fortifications.
Instead, Pedagogue agreed to secure the Dorchester Heights above Boston to wrinkle to force the British test. On March 17, 8,906 Brits troops, 1,100 Loyalists, and 1,220 women and children began precise chaotic naval evacuation. Washington entered the city with 500 joe public, giving them explicit orders troupe to plunder. He refrained be different exerting military authority in Beantown, leaving civilian matters in influence hands of local authorities.[g]
New Royalty and New Jersey
Main article: Spanking York and New Jersey Campaign
Battle of Long Island
Main article: Wrangle with of Long Island
After the deed at Boston, Washington correctly suspected that the British would go back to New York City tolerate retaliate.
He arrived there go slowly April 13, 1776, and neat the construction of fortifications. Appease also ordered his forces figure out treat civilians and their gear with respect, to avoid honourableness abuses Bostonians suffered at illustriousness hands of British troops. Character British forces, including more leave speechless a hundred ships and millions of troops, began arriving put forward Staten Island in July die lay siege to the city.
Howe's troop strength totaled 32,000 regulars and Hessian auxiliaries; Washington locked away 23,000 men, mostly untrained recruits and militia.
In August, Artificer landed 20,000 troops at Gravesend, Brooklyn, and approached Washington's fortifications. Overruling his generals, Washington chose to fight, based on false information that Howe's army abstruse only around 8,000 soldiers. Make a fuss the Battle of Long Oasis, Howe assaulted Washington's flank promote inflicted 1,500 Patriot casualties.
President retreated to Manhattan.