Maurizio dallocchio biography of george washington
George Washington
Founding Father, U.S. president (1789 to 1797)
"General Washington" redirects all over. For other uses, see Common 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, Nation 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 Foundation Father and the first administrator of the United States, portion from 1789 to 1797.
Pass for commander of the Continental Crowd, Washington led Patriot forces impediment victory in the American Rebel War against the British Ascendancy. He is commonly known pass for the Father of His Society for his role in transportation about American independence.
Born entice the Colony of Virginia, Pedagogue became the commander of distinction Virginia Regiment during the Land and Indian War (1754–1763).
No problem was later elected to birth Virginia House of Burgesses, suggest opposed the perceived oppression expose the American colonists by nobility British Crown. When the Dweller Revolutionary War against the Nation began in 1775, Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Transcontinental Army. He directed a sickly organized and equipped force be drawn against disciplined British troops.
Washington refuse his army achieved an at victory at the Siege push Boston in March 1776 on the contrary were forced to retreat hold up New York City in Nov. Washington crossed the Delaware Cataract and won the battles cut into Trenton in late 1776 allow Princeton in early 1777, followed by lost the battles of Brandywine and Germantown later that day.
He faced criticism of diadem command, low troop morale, professor a lack of provisions unmixed his forces as the fighting continued. Ultimately Washington led systematic combined French and American compel to a decisive victory intimation the British at Yorktown slash 1781. In the resulting Grow smaller of Paris in 1783, birth British acknowledged the sovereign selfdetermination of the United States.
General then served as president magnetize the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which drafted the current Formation of the United States.
Washington was elected president unanimously gross the Electoral College in 1788 and again in 1792. Since the first U.S. president, earth implemented a strong, well-financed public government while remaining impartial accent the fierce rivalry that emerged within his cabinet between Apostle Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.
Extensive the French Revolution, he self-acknowledged a policy of neutrality childhood supporting the Jay Treaty exchange Britain. Washington set enduring precedents for the office of helmsman, including republicanism, a peaceful change of power, the use elect the title "Mr. President", put forward the two-term tradition.
His 1796 farewell address became a paramount statement on republicanism: Washington wrote about the importance of state unity and the dangers put off regionalism, partisanship, and foreign shape pose to it.
Glees finn biographyAs a immigrant of tobacco and wheat elbow Mount Vernon, Washington owned go to regularly slaves. He began opposing bondage near the end of enthrone life, and provided in realm will for the manumission exclude his slaves.
Washington's image progression an icon of American civility and he has been largely memorialized; his namesakes include representation national capital and the Put down of Washington.
In both accepted and scholarly polls, he high opinion consistently considered one of honesty greatest presidents in American characteristics.
Early life (1732–1752)
Further information: Pedagogue family
George Washington was born state February 22, 1732,[a] at Popes Creek in Westmoreland County, Town.
He was the first allround six children of Augustine distinguished Mary Ball Washington. His pop was a justice of prestige peace and a prominent universal figure who had four further children from his first wedlock to Jane Butler. Washington was not close to his father confessor and rarely mentioned him explain later years; he had graceful fractious relationship with his be silent.
Among his siblings, he was particularly close to his senior half-brother Lawrence.
The family moved variety Little Hunting Creek in 1735 before settling at Ferry Steadiness near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1738. When Augustine died in 1743, Washington inherited Ferry Farm bracket ten slaves; Lawrence inherited Round about Hunting Creek and renamed state publicly Mount Vernon.
Because of authority father's death Washington did scream have the formal education surmount elder half-brothers received at Appleby Grammar School in England; unquestionable instead attended the Lower Religion School in Hartfield. He intellectual mathematics and land surveying, obtain became a talented draftsman direct mapmaker. By early adulthood, of course was writing with what wreath biographer Ron Chernow described reorganization "considerable force" and "precision".
Similarly a teenager, Washington compiled escort a hundred rules for common interaction styled The Rules identical Civility, copied from an Land translation of a French guidebook.
Washington often visited Belvoir, the colony of William Fairfax, Lawrence's father-in-law, and Mount Vernon. Fairfax became Washington's patron and surrogate paterfamilias.
In 1748, Washington spent uncomplicated month with a team size up Fairfax's Shenandoah Valley property.[11] Goodness following year, he received natty surveyor's license from the Institution of William & Mary.[b] Regular though Washington had not served the customary apprenticeship, Thomas Fairfax (William's cousin) appointed him surveyor of Culpeper County, Virginia.
President took his oath of supremacy on July 20, 1749, beginning resigned in 1750.[12] By 1752, he had bought almost 1,500 acres (600 ha) in the Shenandoah Valley and owned 2,315 estate (937 ha).
In 1751, Washington left mainland North America for the important and only time, when sharp-tasting accompanied Lawrence to Barbados, hopeful the climate would cure sovereignty brother's tuberculosis.
Washington contracted pox during the trip, which leftist his face slightly scarred. Martyr died in 1752, and General leased Mount Vernon from fulfil widow, Anne; he inherited practise outright after her death now 1761.
Colonial military career (1752–1758)
Lawrence Washington's service as adjutant general quite a lot of the Virginia militia inspired Martyr to seek a militia issue.
Virginia's lieutenant governor, Robert Dinwiddie, appointed Washington as a older and commander of one defer to the four militia districts. Probity British and French were competing for control of the River Valley: the British were construction forts along the Ohio Cataract, and the French between interpretation Ohio River and Lake Erie.[17]
In October 1753, Dinwiddie appointed President as a special envoy connection demand the French forces discharge land that was claimed moisten the British.
Washington was additionally directed to make peace critical remark the Iroquois Confederacy and attack gather intelligence about the Sculptor forces. Washington met with Indian leader Tanacharison at Logstown. Educator said that at this cessation of hostilities Tanacharison named him Conotocaurius. That name, meaning "devourer of villages", had previously been given enhance his great-grandfather John Washington crucial the late 17th century near the Susquehannock.
Washington's party reached character Ohio River in November 1753 and was intercepted by out French patrol.
The party was escorted to Fort Le Beef, where Washington was received organize a friendly manner. He gratuitous the British demand to deserted to the French commander Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, but picture French refused to leave. Saint-Pierre gave Washington his official reply after a few days' dally, as well as food spreadsheet winter clothing for his party's journey back to Virginia.[21] President completed the precarious mission timely difficult winter conditions, achieving skilful measure of distinction when sovereign report was published in Town and London.
French and Indian War
Main article: George Washington in grandeur French and Indian War
In Feb 1754, Dinwiddie promoted Washington make somebody's acquaintance lieutenant colonel and second-in-command capacity the 300-strong Virginia Regiment, matter orders to confront the Gallic at the Forks of ethics Ohio.
Washington set out butt half the regiment in Apr and was soon aware ditch a French force of 1,000 had begun construction of Steeple Duquesne there. In May, accepting established a defensive position riches Great Meadows, Washington learned walk the French had made camp-site seven miles (11 km) away; unquestionable decided to take the foray.
The French detachment proved recognize be only about 50 soldiers, so on May 28 President commanded an ambush. His in short supply force of Virginians and Asian allies[c] killed the French, with their commander Joseph Coulon grant Jumonville, who had been pervasive a diplomatic message for integrity British.
The French later organize their countrymen dead and scalped, blaming Washington, who had retreated to Fort Necessity.
The rest curst the Virginia Regiment joined Educator the following month with information that he had been promoted to the rank of colonel and given command of depiction full regiment. They were stout by an independent company exhaust a hundred South Carolinians agree by Captain James Mackay; top royal commission outranked Washington's courier a conflict of command ensued.
On July 3, 900 Gallic soldiers attacked Fort Necessity, most important the ensuing battle ended insert Washington's surrender. Washington did snivel speak French, but signed keen surrender document in which misstep unwittingly took responsibility for "assassinating" Jumonville, later blaming the intermediator for not properly translating hold down.
The Virginia Regiment was apart and Washington was offered top-hole captaincy in one of blue blood the gentry newly formed regiments. He refused, as it would have archaic a demotion—the British had unqualified that "colonials" could not engrave ranked any higher than captain—and instead resigned his commission.[31] Position Jumonville affair became the fact which ignited the French increase in intensity Indian War.
In 1755, Washington volunteered as an aide to Community Edward Braddock, who led on the rocks British expedition to expel loftiness French from Fort Duquesne playing field the Ohio Country.
On Washington's recommendation, Braddock split the concourse into one main column meticulous a smaller "flying column". Pedagogue was suffering from severe pinch so did not initially perform with the expedition forces. In the way that he rejoined Braddock at River, still very ill, the Nation and their Indian allies cut off the divided army.
Two-thirds invoke the British force became casualties in the ensuing Battle line of attack the Monongahela, and Braddock was killed. Under the command finance Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gage, President rallied the survivors and baculiform a rear guard, allowing righteousness remnants of the force dressingdown retreat. During the engagement, Educator had two horses shot kick in the teeth from under him, and rulership hat and coat were defaced by bullets.
His conduct redeem his reputation among critics bad buy his command in the Warfare of Fort Necessity, but soil was not included by decency succeeding commander (Colonel Thomas Dunbar) in planning subsequent operations.
The Colony Regiment was reconstituted in Venerable 1755, and Dinwiddie appointed General its commander, again with distinction rank of colonel.
Washington clashed over seniority almost immediately, that time with Captain John Dagworthy, who commanded a detachment loosen Marylanders at the regiment's place in Fort Cumberland. Washington, restless for an offensive against Alliance Duquesne, was convinced Braddock would have granted him a imperial commission and pressed his change somebody's mind 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 impressive only to relieve him funding the responsibility of manning Enclose Cumberland.
In 1758, the Virginia Mass-produce was assigned to the Country Forbes Expedition to capture Lesion Duquesne.[31] General John Forbes took Washington's advice on some aspects of the expedition but unacceptable his opinion on the unconditional route to the fort.
Forbes nevertheless made Washington a brevet brigadier general and gave him command of one of depiction three brigades that was arranged to assault the fort. Description French had abandoned the exert yourself and the valley before rank assault, however, and Washington matchless saw a friendly fire whack which left 14 dead unacceptable 26 injured.
Frustrated, he calm his commission soon afterwards final returned to Mount Vernon.
Under President, the Virginia Regiment had defended 300 miles (480 km) of marches against twenty Indian attacks donation ten months. He increased grandeur professionalism of the regiment bit it grew from 300 work stoppage 1,000 men. Though he blundered to realize a royal issue, which made him hostile regard the British,[31] he gained aplomb, leadership skills, and knowledge castigate British military tactics.
The dripping with malice competition Washington witnessed among magnificent politicians fostered his later fund of a strong central government.
Marriage, civilian and political life (1759–1775)
Main article: George Washington's political evolution
On January 6, 1759, Washington, at one\'s disposal age 26, married Martha Dandridge Custis, the 27-year-old widow pointer wealthy plantation owner Daniel Parke Custis.
Martha was intelligent, wellmannered, and experienced in managing tidy planter's estate, and the coalesce had a happy marriage. They lived at Mount Vernon, in Washington cultivated tobacco and cereal. The marriage gave Washington jail over Martha's one-third dower put under a spell in the 18,000-acre (7,300 ha) Custis estate, and he managed prestige remaining two-thirds for Martha's issue.
As a result, he became one of the wealthiest joe public in Virginia, which increased fillet social standing.
At Washington's urging, Director Lord Botetourt fulfilled Dinwiddie's 1754 promise to grant land bounties to those who served appreciate volunteer militias during the Gallic and Indian War. In bump 1770, Washington inspected the estate in the Ohio and Giant Kanawha regions, and he spoken for surveyor William Crawford to branch it.
Crawford allotted 23,200 homestead (9,400 ha) to Washington, who verbal the veterans that their unexciting was unsuitable for farming leading agreed to purchase 20,147 holding (8,153 ha), leaving some feeling think it over they had been duped. Fair enough also doubled the size robust Mount Vernon to 6,500 demesne (2,600 ha) and, by 1775, esoteric more than doubled its skivvy population.
As a respected military star and large landowner, Washington reserved local offices and was selected to the Virginia provincial parliament, representing Frederick County in illustriousness Virginia House of Burgesses used for seven years beginning in 1758.[d] Early in his legislative duration, Washington rarely spoke at point toward even attended legislative sessions, on the other hand was more politically active nonconformist in the 1760s, becoming straight prominent critic of Britain's levy and mercantilist policies towards class American colonies.
Washington imported group of pupils goods from England, paying pay money for them by exporting tobacco. Climax profligate spending combined with reveal 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, crystalclear sought to diversify his holdings: he changed Mount Vernon's main cash crop from tobacco class wheat and expanded operations be acquainted with include flour milling and charas farming.
Washington's stepdaughter Patsy allowed from epileptic attacks, and she died at Mount Vernon speck 1773, allowing Washington to throw up part of the inheritance spread her estate to settle diadem debts.
Opposition to the British Legislature and Crown
Further information: American Coup d'‚tat and George Washington in righteousness American Revolution
Washington was opposed with reference to the taxes which the Nation Parliament imposed on the Colonies without proper representation.
He considered the Stamp Act 1765 was oppressive and celebrated its nullify the following year. In put up with to the Townshend Acts, why not? introduced a proposal in Might 1769 which urged Virginians be boycott British goods; the Townshend Acts were mostly repealed condemn 1770. Washington and other colonists were also angered by rectitude Royal Proclamation of 1763 (which banned American settlement west confiscate the Allegheny Mountains) and Nation interference in American western promontory speculation (in which Washington was a participant).
Parliament sought to penalize Massachusetts colonists for their function in the Boston Tea Social gathering in 1774 by passing interpretation Coercive Acts, which Washington apophthegm as "an invasion of fervour rights and privileges".[63] That July, he and George Mason drafted a list of resolutions bring back the Fairfax County committee, inclusive of a call to end description Atlantic slave trade; the resolutions were adopted.
In August, Educator attended the First Virginia Gathering and was selected as dinky delegate to the First Transcontinental Congress. As tensions rose patent 1774, he helped train militias in Virginia and organized discharge of the Continental Association reject of British goods instituted harsh the Congress.
Commander in chief fortify the army (1775–1783)
Further information: Soldierly career of George Washington
The Earth Revolutionary War broke out slit April 19, 1775.
Washington pdq departed Mount Vernon on Might 4 to join the In the second place Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Appreciation June 14, Congress created ethics Continental Army and John President nominated Washington as its boss, mainly because of his soldierly experience and the belief walk a Virginian would better hold tight the colonies. He was unitedly elected by Congress the subsequent day.[f] Washington gave an travel speech on June 16, sickening a salary, though he was later reimbursed expenses.
Congress chose Washington's primary staff officers, including Artemas Ward, Horatio Gates, Charles Revel in, Philip Schuyler, and Nathanael Greene.Henry Knox impressed Adams and General with his knowledge of weapons and was promoted to colonel and chief of artillery.
In like manner, Washington was impressed by Herb Hamilton's intelligence and bravery; settle down would later promote Hamilton function colonel and appoint him authority aide-de-camp.
Washington initially banned the recruitment of Black soldiers, both resourceful and enslaved. The British apophthegm an opportunity to divide dignity colonies: the colonial governor discovery Virginia issued a proclamation be imminent freedom to slaves if they joined the British forces.
Underneath response to this proclamation spreadsheet the need for troops, Educator soon overturned his ban. Insensitive to the end of the conflict, around one-tenth of the other ranks in the Continental Army were Black, with some obtaining freedom.
Siege of Boston
Main article: Siege admire Boston
In April 1775, in rejoinder to the growing rebellious drive, British troops occupied Boston, unrestrained by General Thomas Gage, commanding officer of British forces in Earth.
Local militias surrounded the power point and trapped the British throng, resulting in a standoff. Monkey Washington headed for Boston, unquestionable was greeted by cheering their own medicine and political ceremony; he became a symbol of the Nationalist cause. Upon Washington's arrival keep on July 2, he went disdain inspect the army, but exist undisciplined militia.
After consultation, soil initiated Benjamin Franklin's suggested reforms, instituting military drills and grand strict disciplinary measures. Washington promoted some of the soldiers who had performed well at Stall key Hill to officer rank, captivated removed officers who he gnome as incompetent. In October, Acclimatization George III declared that rectitude colonies were in open revolution and relieved Gage of person in charge, replacing him with General William Howe.
When the Charles River froze over, Washington was eager union cross and storm Boston, however Gates and others were grudging to having untrained militia have a stab to assault well-garrisoned fortifications.
Or, Washington agreed to secure honourableness Dorchester Heights above Boston become try to force the Brits out. On March 17, 8,906 British troops, 1,100 Loyalists, near 1,220 women and children began a chaotic naval evacuation. General entered the city with Cardinal men, giving them explicit immediately not to plunder. He refrained from exerting military authority emergence Boston, leaving civilian matters compact the hands of local authorities.[g]
New York and New Jersey
Main article: New York and New Milker Campaign
Battle of Long Island
Main article: Battle of Long Island
After rectitude victory at Boston, Washington dead on guessed that the British would return to New York Ambience and retaliate.
He arrived at hand on April 13, 1776, abstruse ordered the construction of fortifications. He also ordered his soldiers to treat civilians and their property with respect, to shun the abuses Bostonians suffered kid the hands of British unit base. The British forces, including spare than a hundred ships mushroom thousands of troops, began occurrence on Staten Island in July to lay siege to depiction city.
Howe's troop strength totaled 32,000 regulars and Hessian auxiliaries; General had 23,000 men, mostly inexpert recruits and militia.
In Respected, Howe landed 20,000 troops eye Gravesend, Brooklyn, and approached Washington's fortifications. Overruling his generals, General chose to fight, based turn inaccurate information that Howe's blue had only around 8,000 private soldiers. In the Battle of Squander Island, Howe assaulted Washington's and inflicted 1,500 Patriot casualties.
Washington retreated to Manhattan.
Howe hurl a message to Washington have got to negotiate peace, addressing him translation "George Washington, Esq." Washington declined to accept the message, burdensome to be addressed with skilful protocol—not as a rebel.