George Washington, born on February 22, 1732 is referred to as the Father of our Country. He was born near Wakefield, Virginia. Military arts and Western Expansion were Washington’s biggest interests. George Washington displayed great leadership throughout his involvement in the foundation of the United States. He was a talented military commander. He fought in the the French and Indian War as well as leading the Continental Army to final victory at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781.(Smithsonian Magazine) As president, George Washington led the country through the creation of the Constitution as well as setting presidential precedents such as delivering an inaugural address and use of the cabinet system. George Washington 's political and military achievement could not have been possible had he only displayed mediocre leadership skills, on the contrary his achievements are testament to his great leadership and vision in the formation of the United States of America. (Vodrey William)
George Washington’s military spanned over forty years of service. Washington 's service can be broken into three periods, the French and Indian War, the American Revolutionary War, and the Quasi-War with France. He served in three different armed forces, the British Provincial militia, the Continental Army and the United States Army.(The White House) Washington 's importance in the early history of the United States of America granted a promotion to General of the Armies of the United States. He was defined to be the highest possible rank in the US Army, more than 175 years after his death. (Vodrey, William F.B) George Washington realized that the Nation under its Articles of Confederation was not functioning well, so he became a prime mover in the steps leading to the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. When the new Constitution was ratified, the Electoral College unanimously elected Washington President. (Ellis, Edward S.) Washington would have preferred to spend the remainder of his life quietly in his home, however his patriotism would not allow him to disregard his country in it’s time of need. The most urgent question was finance. George Washington’s administration handled it with great skill. The debt of the confederation and States was almost eighty million dollars. (Ellis, Edward S.) Hamilton 's plan called for the payment by the United States of every dollar due to American citizens, and also the war debt of the country.(Ellis, Edward S.) Many opposed this scheme. In the end however it prevailed. The decision in Congress brought out the lines between Federalists and the Republicans. Federalists were later known as Democrats.(Ellis, Edward S.) The Federalists favored the enlargement of the powers of the general government, however the Republicans insisted upon holding the government to the exact letter of the Constitution, and giving to the individual States all of their rights. Washington’s administration also passed a Protective Tariff in which the materials from which goods are manufactured should not be taxed. It advised that articles which competed with those made in this country should be prohibited. These and other important features were expressed in a bill, which was passed February 9, 1792. (Ellis, Edward S.) George Washington will always be remembered as the “Father of our Country”. He was a talented military commander and an even more talented Commander in Chief. Washington brought forth many changes in our country. Some of those changes were questionable, but for the most part he made our country what it is today.
Works Cited
Chernow, Ron. "Smithsonian.com." Smithsonian Magazine. Smithsonian Magazine, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. .
Ellis, Edward S. "George Washington 's Administration 1789-1797." George Washington 's Administration 1789-1797. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. .
"George Washington." The White House. TheWhiteHouse.gov, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. .
Vodrey, William F.B. "George Washington: Hero of the Confederacy." George Washington: Hero of the Confederacy. American History Magazine, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. .
Cited: Chernow, Ron. "Smithsonian.com." Smithsonian Magazine. Smithsonian Magazine, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. . Ellis, Edward S. "George Washington 's Administration 1789-1797." George Washington 's Administration 1789-1797. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. . "George Washington." The White House. TheWhiteHouse.gov, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. . Vodrey, William F.B. "George Washington: Hero of the Confederacy." George Washington: Hero of the Confederacy. American History Magazine, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. .
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