George Washington
Leadership Paper
Abstract
George Washington was the first leader of the United States; he was a leader in the military for the French and Indian War, and the American Revolution. While a lot is known about his accomplishments it seems more like destiny and/or fate for his place in history. His upbringing and military battles all are more associated with luck than skill. Discussed in the following is a history and story of an unlikely leader.
George Washington
Washington left behind a undeniable record of military and political achievement. He was not a great field commander, but he learned from his mistakes. Politically, he proved remarkably intelligent at understanding the will of Congress. As a human being,
…show more content…
Again Washington avoided death, by his account there were four bullet holes through his coat and two horses shot out from under him (2). Washington stature gained in popularity, he also acquired a new reputation. He emerged from the battle a hero, and Virginia governor Robert Dinwiddie rewarded him with promotion to full colonel. Washington was known for harsh punishments like giving 500 lashes for laziness. He even boasted of a building a gallows 40 feet high to hang deserters. Later that year Dinwiddie gave him command of all Virginia forces.
Tried to Settle Down
Washington resigned at war's end and retired to Mount Vernon. Now at the conclusion of the French and Indian war the retired Colonel Washington not yet 30 years old got married (2). His wife Martha was a widow of one of Virginia's wealthiest men; this marriage gave Washington the property, slaves, and wealth had dreamed of. By 1759 George and Martha Washington were among the most celebrated families in Virginia. They enjoyed a comfortable life during these times, hosting countless parties. He also found time for the hobbies of a Virginia gentleman, fox hunting, plays, billiards, cards, dancing, and fishing. For 15 years he devoted himself to his legislative work and his farm.
He was defeated in elections for the House of Burgesses in 1755 and 1757, but won in 1758. In 1760, Washington took on the additional duties of a Fairfax County justice of the peace.
Washington in his early fifties resumed life as a planter confident that his days of public service were over. A few years had past and the Congress has a large inability to solve national problems. This was partly due to the lack of authority under the Articles of Confederation. This worried Washington so much that he became a delegate on the Virginia legislature to
General George Washington is unique in many ways, such as he fights on land not on the sea. He also took very good care of his men because it says that he helped by getting inoculations to protect the soldiers from a disease called smallpox from spreading. In a way, through washington was a little strict hard to deal with. Because he sent his men on a 13_Mile walk in the harsh cold weather to Valley Forge Which imagine how hard it is. He also had his men starve and work all day, even though this maid them a little tougher in many ways it also help a lot by working together and just working on teamwork skills. In my opinion, this really toughened up his guys one way he did that is, he
He contributed many key parts to the success of the American independence and led the American army into some of their most important battles to give them independence. In most cases, “the situation was worse than they realized, and no one perceived this as clearly as Washington. Seeing things as they were, and not as he would wish them to be,
(2) Washington had no military experience yet he was put in command of the local Virginia residents who formed a part-time army. He fought in the French and Indian war and ended up being put in charge of all the Virginia militia. Later he would resign his command and go back home and start in local government. Washington would become a very successful plantation owner
General George Washington was a brave man, a strong man, an honourable man. He was not the kind of man to quit on his troops, I knew he would get us what we needed. General Washington was the kind of man who would send letters to the Continental Congress every week to save us from this cold winter. Once he even succeeded in getting a committee from the Continental Congress to come and see our dire conditions for themselves. General Washington spoke for all of us telling the men of our lack of supplies, of our soot-covered lungs, and of our rumbling stomachs (Doc. C). If that is not enough General Washington once even told the Continental Congress "the soldiers eat every kind of horse fodder but hay,"(Doc. A). All these things and more show
In 1758, he was elected into Virginia’s House of Burgesses, which is where his career in government began. In 1769, George Washington proposed a boycott against Britain and the Townshend Acts. The Townshend Acts put large amounts of taxation on everything. Washington called for all of Virginia to boycott goods until these acts were repealed.
General Washington was respected not just by the rank and file, but also by people in all parts of the colonies. Although he did not inspire his men to fanatical loyalty as Napoleon or Nelson, the troops under his command knew they could count upon his valor, military judgment, and fair justice always. (Morison, p. 314-5) Everyone, from the highest gentleman in Congress to the lowest private in the Army, could depend on George Washington's character at all times.
He served as a volunteer aide in 1755 to Major General Edward Braddock when the British sent a large force of regulars to capture Fort Duquesne, the French stronghold recently erected at the Forks of the Ohio. Although the Braddock expedition met defeat on the banks of the Monongahela, Washington's display of courage and tactical skills in battle caused his personal reputation to soar. A grateful Dinwiddie subsequently placed him in charge of Virginia's frontier defenses. He commanded the colony's regiments and separate ranger companies (both perpetuated in today's 116th Infantry, Virginia Army National Guard), as well as its mobilized militiamen. In 1758 Washington became a brigade commander, the only American to achieve that rank during the war.
George Washington has major difference from the other big leaders of the time because he didn’t have a formal education. It was a very rare thing at the time because many of the powerful people were rich with a quality education whereas Washington didn't come from a very wealth family and had a low quality education. Nonetheless he still grew his power and became the first president of the United States.
George Washington born on February 22nd, 1732 was a man of honor and patriotism, He was a disciplined but fair general and a humble president who set the standards for his successors this is why he should be remembered. As a man he was a simple farmer who when duty called he fought for his former country britain. As a general he led soldiers with discipline and honor then returned to his home. As a president he was humble and refused to be anything like king.
He was the eldest of six children and was homeschooled. They lived in Westmoreland County, Virginia and his family was in the ranking of Virginia’s middle class. When he was eleven years old, his father died. When George was 16, he journeyed with a surveying group mapping land in the western territory of Virginia for two whole years in 1748. He married Martha Washington in 1759. Later on, his brother Lawrence died leaving George with his estate, Mount Vernon. Washington became very involved and successful with farming on his estate. As time passes by, Washington becomes a colonel to a Major General and Commander-in-Chief. George Washington exemplifies being revolutionary by how he was brave, heroic and smart enough to stay one step in front of the enemy. Although he lost most of his battles, he was one of the most victorious generals in modern history. He died on December 14,
Through vivid descriptions of George Washington, I learned that he was not the best military leader. There were multiple times in the war where Washington was faced with difficult decisions, and proved to be very indecisive. Also, there were times where action needed to be taken, but he couldn’t decide what to do. Even though I learned Washington wasn’t as great as the history books explain him to be, it makes me respect him more to know that he, just like any other American, flawed.
The story of cutting down the apple tree, although thought to be fabricated, has been found in many biographies about him and shows how honest he was when asked a question. Even if the story was fabricated it details the honesty found when talking with Washington. Washington finished his basic education at the age of 16 and was appointed as the county surveyor. As Washington started his first job he wrote in his journal, “A Journal of my Journey over the Mountain”, as he traveled further west into the frontier, “Went into the Bed as they call’d it when to my Surprize I found it to be nothing but a Little Straw— Matted together without Sheets or any thing else but only one Thread Bare blanket with double its Weight of Vermin such as Lice Fleas & c.” Washington had never seen such a place but was willing to experience the new and unknown. In 1752, Washington’s half-brother died leaving him in charge of Mount Vernon. Washington, at the age of 21, then took over as the adjutant general of the Northern Neck. Three short years later, George Washington was appointed as a Major in the Virginia militia because of his experience in the frontier as a surveyor. His childhood was over and it was time to see if young Washington had what it took to lead men into battle.
George Washington was born February 22, 1732. He was elected as the first president by the Electoral College unanimously in 1789. Washington is commonly called the "Father of his country" since he played a major role in fighting for independence and helped form the government we now have. Many of his leadership practices became the template for the way politics have proceeded following his terms. For example his use of a group of counselors known as a "cabinet" is still in practice today. He only served for two terms and then stepped down which became, for the most part, the accepted norm for future presidents. George Washington is associated with some folklore tales such as being widely known for admitting to his father that he chopped
George Washington 's strong, courageous, intelligent leadership was important because it brought the victory of the American patriots over the British in the Revolutionary War. George Washington and his leadership skills made this a great place. He paved the way for American Generals. George Washington was a great man who also lead us to victory. He also gave up lots of things to be general and president.