#1George Washington

1789-1791

“The Father of Our Country”

Background

• George Washington was born to a prosperous, if not “elite” family in Virginia, on February 22, 1732. The family had been in Virginia since the mid-1600’s.• His father, Augustine,was a planter, sheriff, and

exporter. He died when George was 11. • Augustine had four children with his first wife,

Jane Butler. She died when she was 28.

Background Continued• In 1731, Augustine married his second wife, Mary, who was

George’s mother.• George was the first of his parent’s six children.• Including half-siblings, George had six brothers, and three

sisters.

Early Life

• George’s father dies when he was only eleven.• George was left to live with his mother, and their

relationship was strained.• He rebelled against her and spent much time

living with his older siblings, especially his oldest brother Lawrence. • Lawrence had inherited most of his father’s

fortune, was educated, and had married into a wealthy family. He was the most influential person in young George’s life.

Coming of Age

• George gained an entrance into aristocratic circles through his brother.• He learned the social graces of this class, how to

dance, how to play cards, how to ride horses, how to dress, and how to flirt (he had trouble in this area though, and was thought to be overly romantic). In short, how to be a Virginia Gentleman.• George went on a long surveying trip in the

wilderness when he was only 16. He loved it and became a licensed surveyor that year.

Coming of Age Continued

• George worked as a surveyor for the next few years.• In 1751 Lawrence contracted tuberculosis, and in

attempt to help the condition, he and George traveled to Barbados, for the climate. There George contracted smallpox, which scarred his face permanently.• Lawrence died of his disease when they returned

in 1752.• George inherited Mt. Vernon as a result.

Early Military Career

• In 1752 George was appointed to the Virginia Militia. • During the French and Indian War, George had a

mixed record. • In 1754 George led a force of militia into the

wilderness where they were soundly defeated by the French at Fort Necessity. This was in part due to Washington’s poor tactics and choice for a place to fortify.

Young Washington

Early Military Career Continued• George next saw combat in 1755, when his

militia and over a thousand British troops were defeated by the French and Indians near Fort Duquesne, where he had two horses shot from under him. • In 1755 George was selected as a colonel of

Virginia Militia. He defended the frontier against attack in able fashion.• In 1758 he successfully attacked Fort Duquesne.• Throughout the war George earned a reputation

for bravery and courage.

Marriage

• In 1759, George was married to Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy widow of Daniel Parke Custis. Martha inherited from her first husband an estate of more than 17,000 acres, two mansions, a large some of cash, and over one hundred slaves.• Their marriage seemed to be a reasonably happy one.• George had no children of his own, but was the step

father of Martha’s children and the guardian of two of his step grandchildren*.

* One of these children was George Washington Parke Custis, who inherited land along the Potomac River from Washington. This land was inherited by his daughter Mary, who became the wife of Robert E. Lee. During the Civil War, the land and mansion was confiscated and became Arlington National Cemetary.

Martha Washington

Washington’s Family

Virginia Planter at Mt. Vernon

• George resigned from the militia in 1758, and settled down at Mt. Vernon. • Originally a tobacco plantation with some

fisheries, George turned Mt. Vernon into a wheat farm. He built a large mill there, grew buckwheat, alfalfa, hemp, increased his fishing operations, and brewed beer and distilled whiskey. He also had a spinning business, and raised horses.• George was an extremely wealthy man.

Mt. Vernon

Political Career• Elected to Virginia House of Burgesses in 1758.• Justice of the peace in Fairfax county, 1770.• Delegate at the Williamsburg Convention in 1773.• First Virginia Provincial Convention 1774.• Elected delegate to First Continental Congress in

1774.• Elected delegate to Second Continental Congress in

1775.• Continental Congress elected Washington as

General and Commander in Chief of the Continental Army June 15, 1775.

Revolutionary War

• Never a brilliant tactician, Washington proved to be an able General in the Revolution, keeping a rag-tag group of part time soldiers together against a far superior enemy. • Although defeated numerous times, Washington

knew that if he kept fighting, avoided disastrous defeat, and received aid from abroad, he could wear the British down.• As he had earlier in his life, Washington showed

his courage against enemy fire numerous times during the Revolution.

Critical Battles for WashingtonSuccesses (Wins or

Draws)-Trenton-Princeton-Monmouth -Yorktown

Losses-Long Island-White Plains-Brandywine Creek-Germantown-Numerous skirmishes.

Washington Crossing the Delaware

After the War

• Washington returned home to private life, while the country struggled under the Articles of Confederation.• Convinced that a change was needed,

Washington joined the Continental Convention of 1787. Washington was the president of the convention, giving the proceedings an air of prestige.• After the ratification, Washington was

unanimously elected the first president of the United States on February 5, 1789.

As President

• Washington served his two terms in New York and Philadelphia. • He was very aware of his unique position as a

precedent setter.• He and his cabinet chose the site for Washington

D.C.• He traveled extensively through the country to

show good will to the people, (usually in fancy dress and on a huge white horse)• He established the title of the president as “Mr.

President”.

Important Decisions or Actions• Chartered the Bank of the United States,

enabling a government line of credit.• Proclamation of Neutrality regarding the war

between France and Britain.• The Jay Treaty of 1794, which kept the U.S. out

of war with Britain, and protected trade between the two nations. • Chose the site for Washington D.C.• Put down the Whiskey Rebellion (leading the

militiamen himself).• Refused a third term as president.

Presidential Style• Washington was brilliant at delegating authority. He chose

one of the most outstanding cabinets of all time and let them make proposals, which he would decide upon.

• He did not second guess himself.• He worked hard to ensure unity in the country between

regions.• Struggled to balance the interests of the two newly

developing political factions, the Federalists, led by Sec. of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, and the Democratic Republicans, led by Sec. of State Thomas Jefferson. Though he tried to see both sides, Washington tended to favor Hamilton’s views of a mostly urban country based on commerce and industry, with a strong central government, rather than Jefferson’s vision of a country built on agriculture, with a small and weak central government.

Later Years• Retired to Mt. Vernon, and went to work on repairs there. The

plantation had suffered while Washington was away, so this was an enormous task.

• Was asked by President Adams to prepare an Army for a possible war with France. He agreed, though an official war never came.

• Met with visitors almost daily, as he was the living symbol of the country.

Last Days• George Washington died on December 14, 1799.• In unsuccessful attempts to heal him, old fashioned remedies

such as leeching were used. Many historians suspect that these techniques helped to kill him.

George Washington and Slavery• Like most men of his time and place, George Washington was a

slave owner.• Washington at one time or another, owned hundreds of slaves,

most of whom worked in his fields, mills, and other operations. He also had personal servants, a few serving at his side for decades.

• There is some evidence to suggest that Washington was a strict slaveholder. He certainly authorized punishment for slaves that were difficult to control, and his personal writing demonstrate his low opinion of his slaves.

• As President, Washington authorized several hundred thousand dollars in aid to the French to help put down the slave rebellion in Haiti.

• As he grew older his stance grew more mild, and he made it a point not to sell his slaves, to keep families together.

• Washington freed his slaves in his will.

Legacy• George Washington’s lasting legacy is that of the the

“Father of Our Nation”.• He was unique in turning down the chance to be a king.

Only a handful of leaders have ever done so.• Washington was the commander of the Continental

Army, which won the American Revolution.• He established the Bank of the United States.• He avoided war with Britain with the Jay Treaty, put

down the Whiskey Rebellion, and established neutrality when war broke out between France and Britain.• Washington established the nations capital.• He set a tone for the office of the president, which has

more or less guided future presidents ever since.