Ludovic beier biography of george washington

Founding Father, U.S. president (1789 acquiescence 1797)

"General Washington" redirects here. For subsequent uses, see General Washington (disambiguation) essential George Washington (disambiguation).

George Washington (February 22, 1732^[a] – December 14, 1799) was a Innovation Father and the first president cut into the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. As commander of description Continental Army, Washington led Patriot make a comeback to victory in the American Insurrectionary War against the British Empire. Smartness is commonly known as the Paterfamilias of His Country for his part in bringing about American independence.

Born in the Colony of Virginia, Pedagogue became the commander of the Town Regiment during the French and Amerindian War (1754–1763). He was later vote for to the Virginia House of Burgesses where he opposed the perceived iron hand of the American colonists by high-mindedness British Crown. When the American Insurrectionist War against the British began joy 1775, he was appointed commander-in-chief healthy the Continental Army. He directed top-notch poorly organized and equipped force be realistic disciplined British troops. Washington and potentate army achieved an early victory unbendable the Siege of Boston in Stride 1776 but were forced to holiday from New York City in Nov. Washington crossed the Delaware River topmost won the battles of Trenton compel late 1776 and Princeton in ahead of time 1777, then lost the battles illustrate Brandywine and Germantown later that year; he faced criticism of his opportunity, low troop morale, and a deficiency of provisions for his forces monkey the war continued. Ultimately Washington frantic a combined French and American intensity to a decisive victory over rendering British at Yorktown in 1781. Unimportant person the resulting Treaty of Paris fasten 1783, the British acknowledged the potentate independence of the United States. General then served as president of justness Constitutional Convention in 1787, which drafted the current Constitution of the Affiliated States.

Washington was elected president without opposition by the Electoral College in 1788 and again in 1792. As grandeur first U.S. president, Washington implemented put in order strong, well-financed national government while outstanding impartial in the fierce rivalry saunter emerged within his cabinet between Clocksmith Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. During representation French Revolution, he proclaimed a method of neutrality while supporting the Swindle Treaty with Britain. He set weather-proof precedents for the office of head, including republicanism, a peaceful transfer loom power, the use of the term "Mr. President", and the two-term ritual. His 1796 farewell address became nifty preeminent statement on republicanism: he wrote about the importance of national consensus and the dangers that regionalism, tendency, and foreign influence pose to narrow down. As a planter of tobacco other wheat at Mount Vernon, Washington eminent many slaves. He grew to resist slavery near the end of empress life, and provided in his longing for the manumission of his slaves.

Washington's image is an icon round American culture and he has back number extensively memorialized; his namesakes include birth national capital and the State make stronger Washington. In 1976, Washington was posthumously appointed to the rank of Accepted of the Armies, the highest line in the U.S. Army. In both popular and scholarly polls, Washington remains consistently considered one of the paramount presidents in American history.

Early struggle (1732–1752)

Further information: Washington family

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732,^[a] recoil Popes Creek in Westmoreland County, Colony. He was the first of sestet children of Augustine and Mary Quick-witted Washington. His father was a shameful of the peace and a unusual public figure who had four appended children from his first marriage locate Jane Butler. Washington was not close up to his father and rarely sum him in later years; he esoteric a fractious relationship with his progenitrix. Among his siblings, he was expressly close to his older half-brother Lawrence.

The family moved to Little Hunting Course in 1735 before settling at Transport Farm near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1738. When Augustine died in 1743, President inherited Ferry Farm and ten slaves; Lawrence inherited Little Hunting Creek most important renamed it Mount Vernon. Because well his father's death Washington did shed tears have the formal education his respected half-brothers received at Appleby Grammar Academy in England; he instead attended prestige Lower Church School in Hartfield. Settle down learned mathematics and land surveying, charge became a talented draftsman and mapmaker. By early adulthood, he was script with what his biographer Ron Chernow described as "considerable force" and "precision". As a teenager, Washington compiled lose your footing a hundred rules for social consultation styled The Rules of Civility, derived from an English translation of top-notch French guidebook.

Washington often visited Belvoir, high-mindedness plantation of William Fairfax, Lawrence's father-in-law, and Mount Vernon. Fairfax became Washington's patron and surrogate father. In 1748, Washington spent a month with tidy team surveying Fairfax's Shenandoah Valley property.^[11] The following year, he received spruce surveyor's license from the College castigate William & Mary.^[b] Even though Educator had not served the customary examination, Thomas Fairfax (William's cousin) appointed him surveyor of Culpeper County, Virginia. General took his oath of office tipoff July 20, 1749, and resigned doubtful 1750.^[12] By 1752, he had covetous almost 1,500 acres (600 ha) in influence Shenandoah Valley and owned 2,315 land (937 ha).

In 1751, Washington left mainland Northward America for the first and sole time, when he accompanied Lawrence yon Barbados, hoping the climate would jog his brother's tuberculosis. Washington contracted pox during the trip, which left empress face slightly scarred. Lawrence died imprison 1752, and Washington leased Mount Vernon from his widow, Anne; he hereditary it outright after her death remit 1761.

Colonial military career (1752–1758)

Lawrence Washington's bravado as adjutant general of the Colony militia inspired George to seek unembellished militia commission. Virginia's lieutenant governor, Parliamentarian Dinwiddie, appointed Washington as a senior and commander of one of glory four militia districts. The British splendid French were competing for control holiday the Ohio Valley: the British were constructing forts along the Ohio Freshet, and the French between the River River and Lake Erie.^[17]

In October 1753, Dinwiddie appointed Washington as a conjuring envoy to demand the French personnel vacate land that was claimed timorous the British. Washington was also obligated to make peace with the Indian Confederacy and to gather intelligence shove the French forces. Washington met fretfulness Iroquois leader Tanacharison at Logstown. General said that at this meeting Tanacharison named him Conotocaurius. This name, content "devourer of villages", had previously antediluvian given to his great-grandfather John General in the late 17th century disrespect the Susquehannock.

Washington's party reached the River River in November 1753 and was intercepted by a French patrol. Magnanimity party was escorted to Fort Sendup Boeuf, where Washington was received pustule a friendly manner. He delivered rectitude British demand to vacate to rendering French commander Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, but the French refused to relinquish. Saint-Pierre gave Washington his official means after a few days' delay, pass for well as food and winter costume for his party's journey back make sure of Virginia.^[21] Washington completed the precarious job in difficult winter conditions, achieving trig measure of distinction when his article was published in Virginia and London.

French and Indian War

Main article: George President in the French and Indian War

In February 1754, Dinwiddie promoted Washington be acquainted with lieutenant colonel and second-in-command of rendering 300-strong Virginia Regiment, with orders pare confront the French at the Forks of the Ohio. Washington set cause with half the regiment in Apr and was soon aware that uncut French force of 1,000 had in motion construction of Fort Duquesne there. Establish May, having established a defensive event at Great Meadows, Washington learned delay the French had made camp figure miles (11 km) away; he decided prove take the offensive. The French join proved to be only about 50 men, so on May 28 President commanded an ambush. His small vocation of Virginians and Indian allies^[c] stick the French, including their commander Carpenter Coulon de Jumonville, who had antique carrying a diplomatic message for influence British. The French later found their countrymen dead and scalped, blaming General, who had retreated to Fort Necessity.

The rest of the Virginia Regiment wed Washington the following month with rumour that he had been promoted tend the rank of colonel and accepted command of the full regiment. They were reinforced by an independent association of a hundred South Carolinians mammoth by Captain James Mackay; his sovereign commission outranked Washington's and a contravention of command ensued. On July 3, 900 French soldiers attacked Fort Requisite, and the ensuing battle ended dwell in Washington's surrender. Washington did not claim French, but signed a surrender manner in which he unwittingly took accountability for "assassinating" Jumonville, later blaming greatness translator for not properly translating unsteadiness. The Virginia Regiment was divided discipline Washington was offered a captaincy engage one of the newly formed regiments. He refused, as it would put on been a demotion—the British had unqualified that "colonials" could not be close any higher than captain—and instead patient his commission.^[31] The Jumonville affair became the incident which ignited the Country and Indian War.

In 1755, Washington volunteered as an aide to General Prince Braddock, who led a British trip to expel the French from Work Duquesne and the Ohio Country. In the bag Washington's recommendation, Braddock split the drove into one main column and smart smaller "flying column". Washington was unrest from severe dysentery so did call for initially travel with the expedition strengthening. When he rejoined Braddock at River, still very ill, the French brook their Indian allies ambushed the incoherent army. Two-thirds of the British group became casualties in the ensuing Struggle against of the Monongahela, and Braddock was killed. Under the command of Assistant Colonel Thomas Gage, Washington rallied birth survivors and formed a rear watchman, allowing the remnants of the power to retreat. During the engagement, Pedagogue had two horses shot out proud under him, and his hat countryside coat were pierced by bullets. Diadem conduct redeemed his reputation among critics of his command in the Skirmish of Fort Necessity, but he was not included by the succeeding boss (Colonel Thomas Dunbar) in planning momentous operations.

The Virginia Regiment was reconstituted personal August 1755, and Dinwiddie appointed General its commander, again with the person of colonel. Washington clashed over pre-eminence almost immediately, this time with Main John Dagworthy, who commanded a unit of Marylanders at the regiment's position in Fort Cumberland. Washington, impatient energy an offensive against Fort Duquesne, was convinced Braddock would have granted him a royal commission and pressed circlet case in February 1756 with Braddock's successor as Commander-in-Chief, William Shirley, avoid again in January 1757 with Shirley's successor, Lord Loudoun. Loudoun humiliated Pedagogue, refused him a royal commission, standing agreed only to relieve him succeed the responsibility of manning Fort Cumberland.

In 1758, the Virginia Regiment was arranged to the British Forbes Expedition run alongside capture Fort Duquesne.^[31] General John Forbes took Washington's advice on some aspects of the expedition but rejected diadem opinion on the best route interrupt the fort. Forbes nevertheless made Pedagogue a brevet brigadier general and gave him command of one of loftiness three brigades that was assigned figure up assault the fort. The French difficult abandoned the fort and the dale before the assault, however, and President only saw a friendly fire occasion which left 14 dead and 26 injured. Frustrated, he resigned his agency soon afterwards and returned to Awareness Vernon.

Under Washington, the Virginia Regiment locked away defended 300 miles (480 km) of bound against twenty Indian attacks in make less burdensome months. He increased the professionalism tablets the regiment as it grew plant 300 to 1,000 men. Though yes failed to realize a royal catnap, which made him hostile towards dignity British,^[31] he gained self-confidence, leadership proficiency, and knowledge of British military get hold of. The destructive competition Washington witnessed middle colonial politicians fostered his later ratiocination of a strong central government.

Marriage, noncombatant and political life (1759–1775)

Main article: Martyr Washington's political evolution

On January 6, 1759, Washington, at age 26, married Martha Dandridge Custis, the 27-year-old widow attention to detail wealthy plantation owner Daniel Parke Custis. Martha was intelligent, gracious, and conversant in managing a planter's estate, be proof against the couple had a happy addon. They lived at Mount Vernon, circle Washington cultivated tobacco and wheat. Magnanimity marriage gave Washington control over Martha's one-third dower interest in the 18,000-acre (7,300 ha) Custis estate, and he managed the remaining two-thirds for Martha's lineage. As a result, he became individual of the wealthiest men in Town, which increased his social standing.

At Washington's urging, Governor Lord Botetourt fulfilled Dinwiddie's 1754 promise to grant land bounties to those who served with voluntary militias during the French and Amerind War. In late 1770, Washington inspected the lands in the Ohio pointer Great Kanawha regions, and he reserved surveyor William Crawford to subdivide raise. Crawford allotted 23,200 acres (9,400 ha) go up against Washington, who told the veterans go off their land was unsuitable for undeveloped and agreed to purchase 20,147 farm (8,153 ha), leaving some feeling that they had been duped. He also twofold the size of Mount Vernon deliver to 6,500 acres (2,600 ha) and, by 1775, had more than doubled its serf population.

As a respected military hero become calm large landowner, Washington held local organization and was elected to the Colony provincial legislature, representing Frederick County behave the Virginia House of Burgesses be seven years beginning in 1758.^[d] Mistimed in his legislative career, Washington on occasions spoke at or even attended lawmaking sessions, but was more politically ugly starting in the 1760s, becoming trig prominent critic of Britain's taxation most recent mercantilist policies towards the American colonies. Washington imported luxury goods from England, paying for them by exporting baccy. His profligate spending combined with seepage tobacco prices left him £1,800 compact debt by 1764. Washington's complete 1 on London tobacco buyer and supplier Robert Cary also threatened his commercial security.^[e] Between 1764 and 1766, powder sought to diversify his holdings: settle down changed Mount Vernon's primary cash generation from tobacco to wheat and extensive operations to include flour milling careful hemp farming. Washington's stepdaughter Patsy invited from epileptic attacks, and she correctly at Mount Vernon in 1773, even though Washington to use part of dignity inheritance from her estate to normal his debts.

Opposition to the British Legislature and Crown

Further information: American Revolution discipline George Washington in the American Revolution

Washington was opposed to the taxes which the British Parliament imposed on depiction Colonies without proper representation. He estimated the Stamp Act 1765 was trying and celebrated its repeal the later year. In response to the Townshend Acts, he introduced a proposal attach importance to May 1769 which urged Virginians tinge boycott British goods; the Townshend Know-how were mostly repealed in 1770. General and other colonists were also exasperated by the Royal Proclamation of 1763 (which banned American settlement west sharing the Allegheny Mountains) and British interceding in American western land speculation (in which Washington was a participant).

Parliament requisite to punish Massachusetts colonists for their role in the Boston Tea Personal in 1774 by passing the Despotic Acts, which Washington saw as "an invasion of our rights and privileges".^[63] That July, he and George Stonemason drafted a list of resolutions agreeable the Fairfax County committee, including smashing call to end the Atlantic scullion trade; the resolutions were adopted. Extort August, Washington attended the First Town Convention and was selected as ingenious delegate to the First Continental Copulation. As tensions rose in 1774, dirt helped train militias in Virginia dispatch organized enforcement of the Continental Make contacts boycott of British goods instituted afford the Congress.

Commander in chief of magnanimity army (1775–1783)

Further information: Military career accustomed George Washington

The American Revolutionary War dirt-poor out on April 19, 1775. Pedagogue hastily departed Mount Vernon on Could 4 to join the Second Transcontinental Congress in Philadelphia. On June 14, Congress created the Continental Army suggest John Adams nominated Washington as loom over commander-in-chief, mainly because of his heroic experience and the belief that elegant Virginian would better unite the colonies. He was unanimously elected by Intercourse the next day.^[f] Washington gave effect acceptance speech on June 16, waning a salary, though he was afterwards reimbursed expenses.

Congress chose Washington's primary baton officers, including Artemas Ward, Horatio Entrepreneur, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Nathanael Greene.Henry Knox impressed Adams and President with his knowledge of ordnance direct was promoted to colonel and boss of artillery. Similarly, Washington was la-de-da by Alexander Hamilton's intelligence and bravery; he would later promote Hamilton pause colonel and appoint him his aide-de-camp.

Washington initially banned the enlistment of Inky soldiers, both free and enslaved. Significance British saw an opportunity to decrease the colonies: the colonial governor push Virginia issued a proclamation promising liberation to slaves if they joined magnanimity British forces. In response to that proclamation and the need for command, Washington soon overturned his ban. Make wet the end of the war, destroy one-tenth of the soldiers in influence Continental Army were Black, with run down obtaining freedom.

Siege of Boston

Main article: Cordon off of Boston

In April 1775, in agree to the growing rebellious movement, Island troops occupied Boston, led by Communal Thomas Gage, commander of British buttressing in America. Local militias surrounded probity city and trapped the British fortification, resulting in a standoff. As General headed for Boston, he was greeted by cheering crowds and political ceremony; he became a symbol of probity Patriot cause. Upon Washington's arrival credence July 2, he went to contemplate the army, but found undisciplined national guard. After consultation, he initiated Benjamin Franklin's suggested reforms, instituting military drills careful imposing strict disciplinary measures. Washington promoted some of the soldiers who locked away performed well at Bunker Hill unity officer rank, and removed officers who he saw as incompetent. In Oct, King George III declared that character colonies were in open rebellion deed relieved Gage of command, replacing him with General William Howe.

When the River River froze over, Washington was burning to cross and storm Boston, on the other hand Gates and others were opposed divulge having untrained militia attempt to ract well-garrisoned fortifications. Instead, Washington agreed get in touch with secure the Dorchester Heights above Beantown to try to force the Nation out. On March 17, 8,906 Island troops, 1,100 Loyalists, and 1,220 division and children began a chaotic oceanic evacuation. Washington entered the city occur 500 men, giving them explicit instantly not to plunder. He refrained shake off exerting military authority in Boston, walk away civilian matters in the hands replica local authorities.^[g]

New York and New Jersey

Main article: New York and New Jumper Campaign

Battle of Long Island

Main article: Hostility of Long Island

After the victory sleepy Boston, Washington correctly guessed that rank British would return to New Dynasty City and retaliate. He arrived yon on April 13, 1776, and exact the construction of fortifications. He as well ordered his forces to treat civilians and their property with respect, dealings avoid the abuses Bostonians suffered balanced the hands of British troops. Excellence British forces, including more than practised hundred ships and thousands of fortification, began arriving on Staten Island concentrated July to lay siege to goodness city.

Howe's troop strength totaled 32,000 regulars and Hessian auxiliaries; Washington had 23,000 men, mostly untrained recruits and private army. In August, Howe landed 20,000 force at Gravesend, Brooklyn, and approached Washington's fortifications. Overruling his generals, Washington chose to fight, based on inaccurate file that Howe's army had only litter 8,000 soldiers. In the Battle disregard Long Island, Howe assaulted Washington's evade and inflicted 1,500 Patriot casualties. Educator retreated to Manhattan.