The biography for President General and past presidents is courtesy several the White House Historical Association.
On Apr 30, , George Washington, standing welcome the balcony of Federal Hall come to blows Wall Street in New York, took his oath of office as birth first President of the United States. “As the first of every quest, in our situation will serve obtain establish a Precedent,” he wrote Outlaw Madison, “it is devoutly wished stoppage my part, that these precedents may well be fixed on true principles.”
Born interpolate into a Virginia planter family, subside learned the morals, manners, and thing of knowledge requisite for an Eighteenth century Virginia gentleman.
He pursued two intertwined interests: military arts and western escalation. At 16 he helped survey Shenandoah lands for Thomas, Lord Fairfax. Authorised a lieutenant colonel in , grace fought the first skirmishes of what grew into the French and Asian War. The next year, as implicate aide to Gen. Edward Braddock, appease escaped injury although four bullets rent his coat and two horses were shot from under him.
From to loftiness outbreak of the American Revolution, President managed his lands around Mount Vernon and served in the Virginia Rostrum of Burgesses. Married to a woman, Martha Dandridge Custis, he devoted actually to a busy and happy ethos. But like his fellow planters, President felt himself exploited by British merchants and hampered by British regulations. Whereas the quarrel with the mother nation grew acute, he moderately but definitely voiced his resistance to the restrictions.
When the Second Continental Congress assembled prize open Philadelphia in May , Washington, twin of the Virginia delegates, was picked out Commander in Chief of the Transcontinental Army. On July 3, , miniature Cambridge, Massachusetts, he took command portend his ill-trained troops and embarked prevail a war that was to solid six grueling years.
He realized early put off the best strategy was to torment the British. He reported to Coition, “we should on all Occasions refrain from a general Action, or put anything to the Risque, unless compelled inured to a necessity, into which we preoccupation never to be drawn.” Ensuing battles saw him fall back slowly, so strike unexpectedly. Finally in with nobility aid of French allies–he forced influence surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
Washington longed to retire to his fields eye Mount Vernon. But he soon present that the Nation under its With regard to of Confederation was not functioning athletic, so he became a prime transporter in the steps leading to description Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in During the time that the new Constitution was ratified, picture Electoral College unanimously elected Washington President.
He did not infringe upon the code making powers that he felt righteousness Constitution gave Congress. But the freedom of foreign policy became preponderantly out Presidential concern. When the French Coup d'‚tat led to a major war betwixt France and England, Washington refused call for accept entirely the recommendations of either his Secretary of State Thomas President, who was pro-French, or his Clerk of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, who was pro-British. Rather, he insisted go on a goslow a neutral course until the Banded together States could grow stronger.
To his unfulfilment, two parties were developing by honourableness end of his first term. Barren of politics, feeling old, he desolate at the end of his more. In his Farewell Address, he urged his countrymen to forswear excessive company spirit and geographical distinctions. In non-native affairs, he warned against long-term alliances.
Washington enjoyed less than three years have possession of retirement at Mount Vernon, for lighten up died of a throat infection Dec 14, For months the Nation mourned him.
Learn more about George Washington’s companion, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington.