George Washington Biography
George Washington is the most important person in history in my opinion. He has done so much for America! From keeping America free of Britain to being the first president of the United States. It all started in Virginia, February 22, 1732 when George was born. His father died when George was only 11 years old so he had to move from different house holds every now and then. Some days he would live with his mother, other relatives, and half brother. Not a lot of his childhood is known because he wasn’t so important until he completely made a difference in America.
George Washington was appointed by the governor Robert Dinwiddle to warn the French about invading the English territory. After George did that task Robert then made him the lieutenant colonel. Robert put him above the major which is a big job to bring yourself up to. Robert told George to dislodge the French at Pennsylvania’s Fort Duquesne, but a strong French force beat the Virginia troops. Because of this, the French and Indian War eventually came up in history, but ended in 1754-1763. Later that year Robert also made George to be the commander and chief of all the troops.
Washington gained a lot of importance from his family. His grandfather and great grandfather had both been justices of peace before him. His father was the sheriff, the church warden, and a justice of peace. That’s mainly what his political career was based on.
Washington’s first real political opportunity was when he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1758 as a representative of Frederick county. From 1760 to 1774 he served as a judge for Fairfax county. In the Revolutionary years George developed military leadership, administrative skills, and political sharpness. From 1775 to 1783 he was the chief executive of the United States. His wartime experience helped him grow mentally to know how to fight a war better. At the end of the Revolutionary years Washington returned to his estates at Mount Vernon. He was always busy with farming, western land interests, and navigation of the Potomac River.
Being the first American President is a really big deal. It is also one of the biggest jobs you could have in the United States. As chief executive Washington consulted his cabinet on a public policy. Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton represented two of the opposing sides of an extremely important debate during this time about the role of a strong federal government in governing the former British colonies. Hamilton did advise a strong, centralized federal government. Jefferson feared that the executive leader would have too much power, so he pressed for strong states’ rights. Hamilton was a federalist and Jefferson was an anti-federalist.
Washington's second term was controlled by foreign-policy considerations. In early, 1793 during the French Revolution which had overthrown the French monarchy in 1789 became the central issue in politics. France had declared war on Great Britain and appointed Edmond Genet as minister to the United States. Determined to keep America out of the war and free from the In European influence, Washington issued a neutrality proclamation which is a statement that the United States would not take sides or become involved in the conflict.
In 1794 Washington sent John Jay to negotiate a settlement of the issues that have been happening between the British and the Americans. Although Jay's Treaty was extremely unpopular. The British agreed to leave the Northwest posts but made no compromise on other key issues. Washington finally accepted it. The treaty also paved the way for a new treaty with Spain, which had feared an alliance of American and British interests against Spain in the West.
Washington's public service did not end when he retired from being President of the United States. During the presidency of John Adams, when America seemed on the verge of a war with France, Adams made him the commander in chief of the American army/forces. Washington accepted knowing that he would not take the field in command until the troops had been recruited and equipped. Since Adams had settled the differences with France by negotiating diplomatically, Washington never assumed actual command. He continued to live at Mount Vernon, where he died on December 14, 1799.
Washington died of acute laryngitis at his estate in Mount Vernon, Virginia. He was 67 years old. George had such a big impact on American History and on how we live and our lifestyles today. He felt it was right to protect our freedom, and stopped at nothing to get just that. It's amazing to know today all the things our Founding Fathers did to keep us safe and free from anyone that tried to ruin it.
I chose Washington because he has done more things for us than anyone, he wasn’t being selfish he didn’t do it for his life, but the future life of America. He says, “If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” He always had a strong passion for independence in the United States.
