George Washington

George Washington

(1732–99) the first US President (1789–97), who had led its army to success in the American Revolution. He is called ‘the Father of His Country’. The Continental Congress placed him in charge of the American forces in 1775. Although his army had a difficult and dangerous winter at Valley Forge, General Washington led them to several victories, including the final Battle of Yorktown. He later gave his important approval for the American Constitution and was elected in 1789 as the country’s first president. He supported a strong central government but disliked political party arguments. He was elected a second time, but refused to stand as a candidate for a third time and returned to his home at Mount Vernon.Americans have always admired Washington as one of their best and most moral presidents. He is considered by many to have been the country’s greatest leader and perhaps the only one who could have united the colonists during the American Revolution. Most people know the story of how as a boy he cut down his father’s cherry tree and then admitted what he had done, saying, ‘I cannot tell a lie.’ The story may not be true but it is seen as a symbol of his honesty. Washington’s fine personal qualities and fair politics were recognized during his life, and they seem even more impressive today. His memory is honoured by the Washington Monument and the names of the country’s capital city, a state, many counties, government buildings, schools, streets, mountains, etc, and his image appears on the dollar note and the 25-cent coin.(oxford dictionary)

Multipedia

Washington, George 1732 99. First US president (1789 97), known as the Father of His Country. The son of a well-to-do Virginia planter, Washington began his career as a surveyor. He later fought in the French and Indian Wars (1754 63) and served as commander of the Virginia militia (1755 58). A member of the Virginia House of Burgesses (1759 74), he became a leader of the Colonial movement toward self-government. Washington became a delegate to the first Continental Congress (1774 75), and was named by the second Continental Congress as commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution (q.v.) . Washington remained in command throughout the Revolutionary War. He turned a disorganized militia into a well-trained army and, despite severe shortages and chaotic communication between the army and the government, led his forces to ultimate victory at the Battle of Yorktown (q.v.) in 1781. Washington served as president of the Constitutional Convention (q.v.) in 1787, and his efforts to secure adoption of the Constitution led to his election as first president of the US. Washington took the oath of office in New York City (Apr. 30, 1789) and appointed such men as T. Jefferson and A. Hamilton to the government, regardless of their political leanings. Later, Washington sought to remain neutral in the growing political struggle between the Republicans and the Federalists. His term as president was marked by the Whiskey Rebellion (q.v.) and the conclusion in 1795 of Jay s Treaty (q.v.) with Great Britain. Washington was unanimously reelected (1793), but the bitter political struggle that had developed in the country led him to support the Federalists. His second term was also marked by conflict in the West. Deciding not to accept a third term as president, Washington delivered his celebrated Farewell Address (Sept. 17, 1796), in which he warned against the establishment of permanent alliances. He retired to his estate, Mount Vernon, but returned as commander in chief of the army (1798) when war with France seemed inevitable. War was avoided and Washington died (Dec. 14, 1799) soon after.

encarta

Washington, George (1732-1799), first president of the United States (1789-1797) and one of the most important leaders in United States history. His role in gaining independence

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