Today, George Washington is more myth than man.
Did he really chop down his father’s cherry tree as a boy? Or utter the phrase ‘I cannot tell a lie?’
Some facts though are clear.
Washington, as commander-in-chief of the colonial armies, defeated Britain and won America its independence.
He remains a towering figure in American history – the president by whom all other presidents are judged.
Let’s take a closer look at the first president of the United States.
Early years
Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Virginia. His parents were Augustine Washington and Mary Ball. His was a family of Virginia planters.
Sadly, the earliest part of his childhood remains shrouded in mystery. The stories about the cherry tree and other exploits are most likely apocryphal. After his father passed away, Washington was given to the care of his half-brother Lawrence.
Washington attended school off and on. However, he did learn a great many practical things including growing tobacco, raising livestock and surveying.
Washington began his career as a surveyor for Lord Fairfax.
He was later appointed as the official surveyor of Culpeper county.
After his brother Lawrence and his daughter passed away in July 1752, Washington inherited the Mount Vernon estate.
Washington, 20, would spend the next two decades as a ‘gentleman farmer.’ Though he did not approve of slavery, Mount Vernon had dozens of slaves working the land. Washington later gained a reputation of treating his slaves well.
A lithograph showing George Washington offering a sentimentalised view of slaves working at Mount Vernon. Image Courtesy: American Antiquarian Society
George also had military ambitions. In 1752, after Lawrence’s death, Washington was appointed adjutant of the southern district of Virginia.
The next year, he became adjutant of the Northern Neck and Eastern Shore.
Washington participated in the opening battles of what would become the French and Indian War. His exploits and adventures even made the London newspapers.
British General Edward Braddock then made Washington his aide-de-camp and bestowed on him the honorary title of colonel.
Washington during the campaign with Braddock survived multiple brushes with death. He had his horse shot out from under him twice – and four bullets pierced his clothes.
Miraculously, Washington somehow remained unhurt. He was also rewarded with the appointment of commander of all the Virginia troops.
Washington eventually resigned his commission and returned to his estate. He also married Martha Dandridge – a wealthy widow with two children.
Washington now settled into the life of a gentleman farmer. But war with England was looming.
Politics
The Boston Tea Party and its aftermath shook the relationship between Great Britain and America. Washington had made a name for himself in Virginia as a radical. He was elected as one of the seven delegates to the first Continental Congress.
In 1775, when the Second Continental Congress convened at Philadelphia, John Adams put forth Washington’s name as the man to lead the army.
Washington now took command of a ragtag bunch.
He spent the next half a decade harassing the British and striking where they least expected it.
In 1781, Washington struck the final blow to the British.
He defeated Cornwallis at Yorktown.
General George Washington (riding a white horse) and his staff welcoming a provision train of supplies for the Continental Army. Image Courtesy: Library of Congress
Time in Office
Though Washington longed to return to Mount Vernon, it was not to be.
Instead, he was unanimously chosen as the president in 1789.
John Adams, the runner-up, was designated as vice president. Washington had no roadmap to follow. Instead, he went about building one.
Even the basic question of how to address him as president was debated.
George Washington delivering his inaugural address in April 1789, in the Old City Hall. Image Courtesy: Library of Congress
Washington finally determined that the mere ‘Mr President’ would suffice.
He shook hands with no one and returned salutations with a bow. Washington regarded himself as being above politics.
He filled out his Cabinet with luminaries such as Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton Henry Knox and Edmund Randolph.
When war broke out between France and England in 1793, he charted a course of strict neutrality.
Washington was not keen on a second term, but agreed for the good of the nation. Unfortunately, his term was dominated by rancour between Hamilton and Jefferson.
When he finally decided to leave office, Washington issued a heartfelt plea for unity. Washington returned to Mount Vernon.
Less than three years later, Washington would pass away.
Legacy
Washington is widely regarded as the Founding Father of America.
He is also thought to be among the greatest, if not the greatest, presidents in US history. Washington could have had a third term if he’d like. Perhaps even a fourth.
Instead, he chose to cede power and walk away. In doing so, he set an example for his successors – and the entire country.
He gave the country a firm hand and a sober temperament when it needed it the most.
His stance on slavery is a little more complicated. Though Washington knew that the institution was an abomination and freed his slaves in his will, he did little to take it on.
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Publish date : 2024-10-20 04:30:00
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