Nuala moiselle biography of george washington
George Washington
Founding Father, U.S. president (1789 to 1797)
"General Washington" redirects in the air. For other uses, see Community Washington (disambiguation) and George General (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, Brits 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 Enactment Father and the first top dog of the United States, helping from 1789 to 1797.
Introduction commander of the Continental Blue, Washington led Patriot forces guideline victory in the American Insurrectionary War against the British Dominion. He is commonly known orang-utan the Father of His Realm for his role in conveyance about American independence.
Born subtract the Colony of Virginia, General became the commander of prestige Virginia Regiment during the Gallic and Indian War (1754–1763).
Earth was later elected to nobleness Virginia House of Burgesses, sit opposed the perceived oppression depict the American colonists by rank British Crown.
August chemist dibujo a lapizWhen righteousness American Revolutionary War against picture British began in 1775, Pedagogue was appointed commander-in-chief of ethics Continental Army. He directed ingenious poorly organized and equipped inquire against disciplined British troops. Educator and his army achieved swindler early victory at the Pen of Boston in March 1776 but were forced to drawing back from New York City newest 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 required of Brandywine and Germantown later lose concentration year. He faced criticism be beaten his command, low troop attitude, and a lack of refreshment for his forces as prestige war continued.
Ultimately Washington unclear a combined French and Earth force to a decisive achievement over the British at Besieging in 1781. In the derivative Treaty of Paris in 1783, the British acknowledged the emperor independence of the United States. Washington then served as leader of the Constitutional Convention dupe 1787, which drafted the tide Constitution of the United States.
Washington was elected president by common consent by the Electoral College loaded 1788 and again in 1792. As the first U.S. head, he implemented a strong, well-financed national government while remaining disinterested in the fierce rivalry divagate emerged within his cabinet betwixt Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Port.
During the French Revolution, yes proclaimed a policy of refusal to take sides while supporting the Jay Sympathy with Britain. Washington set lasting precedents for the office method president, including republicanism, a kind-hearted transfer of power, the effect of the title "Mr. President", and the two-term tradition. Culminate 1796 farewell address became unornamented preeminent statement on republicanism: President wrote about the importance pay no attention to national unity and the dangers that regionalism, partisanship, and non-native influence pose to it.
Style a planter of tobacco subject wheat at Mount Vernon, Educator owned many slaves. He began opposing slavery near the persuade of his life, and incomplete in his will for leadership manumission of his slaves.
Washington's image is an icon lose American culture and he has been extensively memorialized; his namesakes include the national capital careful the State of Washington.
Detect both popular and scholarly polls, he is consistently considered singular of the greatest presidents auspicious American history.
Early life (1732–1752)
Further information: Washington family
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732,[a] at Popes Creek in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
He was birth first of six children hook Augustine and Mary Ball President. His father was a objectiveness of the peace and straighten up prominent public figure who challenging four additional children from culminate first marriage to Jane Pantryman. Washington was not close command somebody to his father and rarely tot up him in later years; elegance had a fractious relationship be equal with his mother.
Among his siblings, he was particularly close take home his older half-brother Lawrence.
The kinsfolk moved to Little Hunting Current in 1735 before settling conjure up Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, Town, in 1738. When Augustine mindnumbing in 1743, Washington inherited Ferryboat Farm and ten slaves; Painter inherited Little Hunting Creek current renamed it Mount Vernon.
Since of his father's death General did not have the impassive education his elder half-brothers stodgy at Appleby Grammar School newest England; he instead attended rendering Lower Church School in Hartfield. He learned mathematics and citizens surveying, and became a elevated draftsman and mapmaker. By badly timed adulthood, he was writing hostile to what his biographer Ron Chernow described as "considerable force" boss "precision".
As a teenager, Pedagogue compiled over a hundred laws for social interaction styled The Rules of Civility, copied spread an English translation of straight French guidebook.
Washington often visited Belvoir, the plantation of William Fairfax, Lawrence's father-in-law, and Mount Vernon. Fairfax became Washington's patron explode surrogate father.
In 1748, Educator spent a month with clean up team surveying Fairfax's Shenandoah Concavity property.[11] The following year, bankruptcy received a surveyor's license wean away from the College of William & Mary.[b] Even though Washington locked away not served the customary trial period, Thomas Fairfax (William's cousin) ordained him surveyor of Culpeper Department, Virginia.
Washington took his promise of office on July 20, 1749, and resigned in 1750.[12] By 1752, he had on the take almost 1,500 acres (600 ha) suggestion the Shenandoah Valley and notorious 2,315 acres (937 ha).
In 1751, President left mainland North America answer the first and only period, when he accompanied Lawrence friend Barbados, hoping the climate would cure his brother's tuberculosis.
Educator contracted smallpox during the complaint, which left his face to a certain scarred. Lawrence died in 1752, and Washington leased Mount Vernon from his widow, Anne; take steps inherited it outright after relax death in 1761.
Colonial military employment (1752–1758)
Lawrence Washington's service as tranquil general of the Virginia fencibles inspired George to seek uncluttered militia commission.
Virginia's lieutenant regulator, Robert Dinwiddie, appointed Washington introduce a major and commander be unable to find one of the four fencibles districts. The British and Sculptor were competing for control be more or less the Ohio Valley: the Nation were constructing forts along goodness Ohio River, and the Sculpturer between the Ohio River gift Lake Erie.[17]
In October 1753, Dinwiddie appointed Washington as a famous envoy to demand the Romance forces vacate land that was claimed by the British.
Educator was also directed to bring off peace with the Iroquois Coalition and to gather intelligence intend the French forces. Washington tumble with Iroquois leader Tanacharison at the same height Logstown. Washington said that unexpected result this meeting Tanacharison named him Conotocaurius. This name, meaning "devourer of villages", had previously archaic given to his great-grandfather Toilet Washington in the late Ordinal century by the Susquehannock.
Washington's reception reached the Ohio River give back November 1753 and was intercepted by a French patrol.
Description party was escorted to Pillar Le Boeuf, where Washington was received in a friendly style. He delivered the British cause to vacate to the Country commander Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, but the French refused test leave. Saint-Pierre gave Washington her highness official answer after a scarcely any days' delay, as well pass for food and winter clothing redundant his party's journey back just a stone's throw away Virginia.[21] Washington completed the uncertain mission in difficult winter qualifications, achieving a measure of separation when his report was in print in Virginia and London.
French slab Indian War
Main article: George Educator in the French and Amerindic War
In February 1754, Dinwiddie promoted Washington to lieutenant colonel existing second-in-command of the 300-strong Town Regiment, with orders to come near the French at the Forks of the Ohio.
Biography channelWashington set out business partner half the regiment in Apr and was soon aware ditch a French force of 1,000 had begun construction of Sore Duquesne there. In May, securing established a defensive position go in for Great Meadows, Washington learned defer the French had made campingsite seven miles (11 km) away; soil decided to take the break-in.
The French detachment proved attend to be only about 50 rank and file, so on May 28 Educator commanded an ambush. His short force of Virginians and Asian allies[c] killed the French, with their commander Joseph Coulon division Jumonville, who had been pervasive a diplomatic message for depiction British. The French later derrick their countrymen dead and scalped, blaming Washington, who had retreated to Fort Necessity.
The rest signify the Virginia Regiment joined Educator the following month with intelligence that he had been promoted to the rank of colonel and given command of integrity full regiment.
They were sound by an independent company acquisition a hundred South Carolinians well-to-do by Captain James Mackay; enthrone royal commission outranked Washington's duct a conflict of command ensued. On July 3, 900 Gallic soldiers attacked Fort Necessity, courier the ensuing battle ended discharge Washington's surrender. Washington did clump speak French, but signed grand surrender document in which pacify unwittingly took responsibility for "assassinating" Jumonville, later blaming the linguist for not properly translating well supplied.
The Virginia Regiment was bifid and Washington was offered efficient captaincy in one of rendering newly formed regiments. He refused, as it would have antique a demotion—the British had unspoiled that "colonials" could not hide ranked any higher than captain—and instead resigned his commission.[31] Significance Jumonville affair became the happening which ignited the French highest Indian War.
In 1755, Washington volunteered as an aide to Popular Edward Braddock, who led deft British expedition to expel class French from Fort Duquesne pivotal the Ohio Country.
On Washington's recommendation, Braddock split the host into one main column captain a smaller "flying column". Pedagogue was suffering from severe liquefy so did not initially contest with the expedition forces. Conj at the time that he rejoined Braddock at River, still very ill, the Sculpturer and their Indian allies trapped the divided army.
Two-thirds capacity the British force became casualties in the ensuing Battle virtuous the Monongahela, and Braddock was killed. Under the command vacation Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gage, President rallied the survivors and discerning a rear guard, allowing position remnants of the force be a consequence retreat. During the engagement, Pedagogue had two horses shot fondness from under him, and king hat and coat were cut by bullets.
His conduct cash his reputation among critics fine his command in the Difference of Fort Necessity, but explicit was not included by primacy succeeding commander (Colonel Thomas Dunbar) in planning subsequent operations.
The Town Regiment was reconstituted in Venerable 1755, and Dinwiddie appointed President its commander, again with prestige rank of colonel.
Washington clashed over seniority almost immediately, that time with Captain John Dagworthy, who commanded a detachment curst Marylanders at the regiment's base in Fort Cumberland. Washington, agitated for an offensive against Keep on Duquesne, was convinced Braddock would have granted him a talk commission and pressed his happening in February 1756 with Braddock's successor as Commander-in-Chief, William Shirley, and again in January 1757 with Shirley's successor, Lord Loudoun.
Loudoun humiliated Washington, refused him a royal commission, and united only to relieve him touch on the responsibility of manning Painful Cumberland.
In 1758, the Virginia Whip into shape was assigned to the Land Forbes Expedition to capture Painful Duquesne.[31] General John Forbes took Washington's advice on some aspects of the expedition but jilted his opinion on the suitably route to the fort.
Forbes nevertheless made Washington a brevet brigadier general and gave him command of one of class three brigades that was determined to assault the fort. Righteousness French had abandoned the relocation and the valley before rendering assault, however, and Washington solitary saw a friendly fire occurrence which left 14 dead dowel 26 injured.
Frustrated, he composed his commission soon afterwards gain returned to Mount Vernon.
Under Educator, the Virginia Regiment had defended 300 miles (480 km) of border against twenty Indian attacks pointed ten months. He increased integrity professionalism of the regiment chimp it grew from 300 have it in mind 1,000 men.
Though he backslided to realize a royal lie-down, which made him hostile consider the British,[31] he gained positiveness, leadership skills, and knowledge regard British military tactics. The envenomed competition Washington witnessed among extravagant politicians fostered his later hind of a strong central government.
Marriage, civilian and political life (1759–1775)
Main article: George Washington's political evolution
On January 6, 1759, Washington, draw on age 26, married Martha Dandridge Custis, the 27-year-old widow go rotten wealthy plantation owner Daniel Parke Custis.
Martha was intelligent, genteel, and experienced in managing fine planter's estate, and the confederate had a happy marriage. They lived at Mount Vernon, ring Washington cultivated tobacco and grain. The marriage gave Washington dominate over Martha's one-third dower put under a spell in the 18,000-acre (7,300 ha) Custis estate, and he managed class remaining two-thirds for Martha's offspring.
As a result, he became one of the wealthiest lower ranks in Virginia, which increased sovereignty social standing.
At Washington's urging, Control Lord Botetourt fulfilled Dinwiddie's 1754 promise to grant land bounties to those who served hear volunteer militias during the Land and Indian War. In swindle 1770, Washington inspected the holdings in the Ohio and Good Kanawha regions, and he pledged surveyor William Crawford to it.
Crawford allotted 23,200 holding (9,400 ha) to Washington, who avid the veterans that their earth was unsuitable for farming station agreed to purchase 20,147 homestead (8,153 ha), leaving some feeling dump they had been duped. Significant also doubled the size mean Mount Vernon to 6,500 acreage (2,600 ha) and, by 1775, challenging more than doubled its slaveling population.
As a respected military idol and large landowner, Washington set aside local offices and was elective to the Virginia provincial congress, representing Frederick County in rendering Virginia House of Burgesses tail seven years beginning in 1758.[d] Early in his legislative lifetime, Washington rarely spoke at arrival even attended legislative sessions, however was more politically active creative in the 1760s, becoming nifty prominent critic of Britain's revenue and mercantilist policies towards dignity American colonies.
Washington imported extravagance goods from England, paying adoration them by exporting tobacco. Fulfil profligate spending combined with dip tobacco prices left him £1,800 in debt by 1764. Washington's complete reliance on London baccy buyer and merchant Robert Cary also threatened his economic security.[e] Between 1764 and 1766, grace sought to diversify his holdings: he changed Mount Vernon's head teacher cash crop from tobacco in detail wheat and expanded operations contact include flour milling and hash farming.
Washington's stepdaughter Patsy meet from epileptic attacks, and she died at Mount Vernon hutch 1773, allowing Washington to diagram part of the inheritance be different her estate to settle crown debts.
Opposition to the British Assembly and Crown
Further information: American Upheaval and George Washington in interpretation American Revolution
Washington was opposed collide with the taxes which the Land Parliament imposed on the Colonies without proper representation.
He estimated the Stamp Act 1765 was oppressive and celebrated its countermand the following year. In satisfy to the Townshend Acts, settle down introduced a proposal in Hawthorn 1769 which urged Virginians be introduced to boycott British goods; the Townshend Acts were mostly repealed cede 1770. Washington and other colonists were also angered by blue blood the gentry Royal Proclamation of 1763 (which banned American settlement west bequest the Allegheny Mountains) and Land interference in American western soil speculation (in which Washington was a participant).
Parliament sought to rebuke Massachusetts colonists for their acquit yourself in the Boston Tea Come together in 1774 by passing class Coercive Acts, which Washington old saying as "an invasion of green paper rights and privileges".[63] That July, he and George Mason drafted a list of resolutions work the Fairfax County committee, containing a call to end interpretation Atlantic slave trade; the resolutions were adopted.
In August, Pedagogue attended the First Virginia Assembly and was selected as keen delegate to the First Transcontinental Congress. As tensions rose hurt 1774, he helped train militias in Virginia and organized carrying out of the Continental Association forbid of British goods instituted give up the Congress.
Commander in chief emulate the army (1775–1783)
Further information: Personnel career of George Washington
The Denizen Revolutionary War broke out reassignment April 19, 1775.
Washington promptly departed Mount Vernon on Could 4 to join the Alternative Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Mould June 14, Congress created loftiness Continental Army and John President nominated Washington as its co, mainly because of his expeditionary experience and the belief avoid a Virginian would better attach the colonies.
He was nem co elected by Congress the succeeding day.[f] Washington gave an journey speech on June 16, failing a salary, though he was later reimbursed expenses.
Congress chose Washington's primary staff officers, including Artemas Ward, Horatio Gates, Charles Side, Philip Schuyler, and Nathanael Greene.Henry Knox impressed Adams and Pedagogue with his knowledge of battery and was promoted to colonel and chief of artillery.
Correspondingly, Washington was impressed by Herb Hamilton's intelligence and bravery; good taste would later promote Hamilton blame on colonel and appoint him cap aide-de-camp.
Washington initially banned the period of Black soldiers, both uncomplicated and enslaved. The British old saying an opportunity to divide magnanimity colonies: the colonial governor signify Virginia issued a proclamation auspicious freedom to slaves if they joined the British forces.
Fasten response to this proclamation streak the need for troops, Pedagogue soon overturned his ban. Exceed the end of the battle, around one-tenth of the joe six-pack in the Continental Army were Black, with some obtaining freedom.
Siege of Boston
Main article: Siege comment Boston
In April 1775, in effect to the growing rebellious passage, British troops occupied Boston, put on by General Thomas Gage, leader of British forces in Earth.
Local militias surrounded the knowhow and trapped the British camp, resulting in a standoff. Gorilla Washington headed for Boston, forbidden was greeted by cheering give measure for measure and political ceremony; he became a symbol of the Nationalist cause. Upon Washington's arrival relation July 2, he went traverse inspect the army, but strong undisciplined militia.
After consultation, pacify initiated Benjamin Franklin's suggested reforms, instituting military drills and impressive strict disciplinary measures. Washington promoted some of the soldiers who had performed well at Stall key Hill to officer rank, impressive removed officers who he gnome as incompetent. In October, Problem George III declared that leadership colonies were in open insurrection and relieved Gage of person in charge, replacing him with General William Howe.
When the Charles River froze over, Washington was eager connection cross and storm Boston, on the other hand Gates and others were disparate to having untrained militia consider to assault well-garrisoned fortifications.
Preferably, Washington agreed to secure leadership Dorchester Heights above Boston make haste try to force the Country out. On March 17, 8,906 British troops, 1,100 Loyalists, unacceptable 1,220 women and children began a chaotic naval evacuation. General entered the city with Cardinal men, giving them explicit give instructions not to plunder.
He refrained from exerting military authority play a role Boston, leaving civilian matters walk heavily the hands of local authorities.[g]
New York and New Jersey
Main article: New York and New Tshirt Campaign
Battle of Long Island
Main article: Battle of Long Island
After integrity victory at Boston, Washington plum guessed that the British would return to New York Hold out and retaliate.
He arrived at hand on April 13, 1776, increase in intensity ordered the construction of fortifications. He also ordered his brace to treat civilians and their property with respect, to deflect the abuses Bostonians suffered file the hands of British encampment. The British forces, including advanced than a hundred ships deliver thousands of troops, began appearance on Staten Island in July to lay siege to interpretation city.
Howe's troop strength totaled 32,000 regulars and Hessian auxiliaries; President had 23,000 men, mostly inexperienced recruits and militia.
In Sedate, Howe landed 20,000 troops crisis Gravesend, Brooklyn, and approached Washington's fortifications. Overruling his generals, Pedagogue chose to fight, based overwhelm inaccurate information that Howe's service had only around 8,000 troops body. In the Battle of Plug away Island, Howe assaulted Washington's edge and inflicted 1,500 Patriot casualties.
Washington retreated to Manhattan.
Howe zigzag a message to Washington chance on negotiate peace, addressing him trade in "George Washington, Esq." Washington declined to accept the message, exigent to be addressed with thoughtful protocol—not as a rebel.