George Washington: Father of a Nation Essay

More lives were lost, hopes put out, and courage forgotten in the winter of 1777 and 1778 than any other time in the war. During this time, the Continental Army set up their winter camp in a small farming settlement 18 miles southeast of Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, British General Howe and his army wintered in the warm and comfortable Patriot capital. If you were in Washington’s army during that bitter winter, would you have quit? Would you have quit, or reenlisted, after all you faced and saw? The death, the sickness, the challenges. Due to the fact that help is coming, the need of healthy men, and the fact that if I stay, there will be a greater reward, I will re-enlist.

The Battle of New York would soon prove to be a disaster. It was Washington's first command on a large scale battle. He and his general officers had not only failed, but they looked like fools from the British point of view. After the battle, troops began to run away in fear. Even Washington's closest friend, Joseph Reed, began plotting behind his back. Washington suffered another bitter defeat at Fort Washington, N.Y. The colonists were intimidated, and surrendered Fort Washington. It was a severe blow to the colonists, 2000 were taken prisoner, 59 killed, 146 cannons lost to the British and Hessians in a matter of hours. It was a humiliating blow. During one particularly disastrous skirmish with the British, Washington saw his own troops fleeing from the enemy, and they were refusing to obey orders. Washington threw his hat on the ground in disgust. And

George Washington was an important figure during the French and Indian War in 1763. Before the war began, there was a conflict between the British and the French. Both of the empires wanted to expand and claim lands in North America, but soon ran into territory issues. Britain demands the French to give ownership, but the French did not comply. The British government sent Washington along with General Edward Braddock to Fort Duquesne to warn the French there will be consequences if they will not follow the British's demand. When Washington and his men got to the fort, they attempted to attack the fort but were ambushed by the French guerrilla war style attack. Braddock was killed in the battle and his position was given to George Washington.

Joining in Lawrences place ranked George up to major. Washington was eager to prove he was good enough and that perspective is what leads to what he means to us today. He was so eager to prove himself he joined in a dangerous mission to the Ohio territory in 1753. George was supposed to carry a warning  message to the French from the governor . After Washington soon arrived he had to inform the governor that the French would not listen to the message and would not leave Ohio. After Washington did that he was promoted to the  lieutenant colonel.  Soon after he traveled back to the northern frontier were unpremeditated fighting resulted in the death of Joseph Jumonville, one of the French officers. Washington and his troop continued to work on a fort in Great Meadow, Pennsylvania. The French who were angry about the death of Jumonville decided that they were going to attack back. The surrounded George and his troop at the fort, but Washington could only surrender showing he would not fight and get his men killed. The French and Britain both wanted the Ohio  territory which is what made the war   known as the French and Indian war to Americans and the seven year war to the Britain start. After having to surrender the fort to the French George resigned his appointment with the Virginia regiment and  bought his sister-in-law Annes Mount Vernon estate close to Alexandria, Virginia. Even though  George bought the house he wanted to expand his military experience George

Then later on he became commander of the Virginia Militia. Commander George Washington helped defeat the French and capture Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt. After Washington’s years of service he resigned because he grew to dislike their attitudes.  He then returned to Mount. Vermont,(“French and Indian War”).

When George Washington was elected President in 1789 by members of the fledgling United States of America, he was setting into motion a tradition that has stood the test of over 225 years - the presidential election. Even as the United States has seen dozens of wars, made hundreds of scientific advances, and selected thousands of politicians to seats everywhere from small town councils to Congress, the principles of the election have remained the same; the people band together to determine who will best protect their interests at home and assure that the US will always remain on top in foreign policy. Oftentimes, this is found to be a difficult decision, as public opinion is constantly wavering. One sees this in action particularly during the 1992 election - a battle of wills between Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Ross Perot; complete with lead changes, major vote swings, and Perot’s unprecedented initial success - ultimately a false alarm to the bipartisan establishment.

George Washington’s Presidential Farewell Address consisted of three critical elements that were considered vital for the functional survival of the country that had just won its independence. On September 19, 1796, President Washington advised the nation to stand together as one united country, warned the people about the dangers of political parties and he established foundational reasons for the country to not become over involved in foreign affairs. These three principles set forth an understanding that was monumental for American society. Their level of importance serves as a near perfect reflection to both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution as the building blocks to a great nation. Each of these three principles, even though they were not written as laws, went on as a tradition for this nation; each being clung to with the same level of importance and integrity as the Founders sought in the aforestated documents of freedom.

Would anyone really want to go back to a place where there is barely any food, the living conditions are horrible, the risk of getting sick so great, and a high probability of dying even without the war beginning? Would anyone give up the comfort of a warm bed, the warmth of a cozy fire, the shelter of a home, and plenty of delicious food? This is the question that many faced during the terrible winters of 1777 and 1778. This is the choice that many young men who were forced to become soldiers to fight for their country had to make in those days. The time was the Revolutionary War, when Americans were fighting the British for freedom. George Washington’s army was camped at Valley Forge, eighteen miles northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Many people often think about who was the one president who really did our country justice. Who was the one president who, out of all forty-two, beats everyone and takes the gold for best president in the history of American presidents? Not everyone who agrees with these thoughts is going to agree with the answer each other gives. However, I bet many of those same people would argue that George Washington was the best president out of all of them.

Yet in early spring at Valley Forge General Nathanel Greene was appointed quartermaster. Conditions for the members of the continental army greatly improved. Food was in abundance as well as clothing and soldiers took full advantage of it. While the American soldiers were very valiant, they lacked the discipline and skills of a true army. This soon changed will the arrival of Baron Von Stueben. Von Stueben quickly turned the continental army into a true “army.” Leaving Valley Forge Washington and his men had a renewed sense of patriotism. They were now a united army with the skills to defeat the British although they had suffered great losses they had made great achievements and were now truly an army. The winter of Valley Forge exemplified the true will of General George Washington and his troops. They were united and they were ready to fight for one cause life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

“Every thought is a battle, every breath is a war and I don’t think we are winning anymore”. The depressing thoughts in which were made up of dying and not surviving were going through the minds of all the soldiers at Valley Forge as well as mine. The need of food, clothes, and weapons were needed. The wanting to win and return home to our families were mutual between all of us as well. Since the summer of 1775, George Washington has withdrawn from Boston and retreated to New York City after the American Revolution. Recently, he had been unable to stop the British when Howe marched his army into the capital of Philadelphia. Washington had a very hard time trying to keep us in his army. Some of them had signed on for one year or two, but others left or simply deserted us. The question is simple, whether or not you would stay and fight for your country or leave with honor and your dignity. My choice was obvious, staying to fight for my country. There are many reasons surrounding my choice, including the fact that the supplies were provided for us in order to live and fight through the terrible seasons, the encouragement we needed, and the conditions we faced.

George Washington as America's Greatest Leader An independent country requires a strong, wise and dignified administration to guide a highly emotional population through a tough phase while establishing a stable relationship with other nations. At the same time, the first president, guided by his administration, must create a charter to govern the nation. Being the first president of the United States of America and a new face on the world stage, George Washington along with his administration created an excellent blueprint for the recently formed nation. Washington was successful as the first president because his administration maintained peace and neutrality in European affairs, consisted of men

America has fought great battles all through out history, with great nations of the world like World War I, The Mexican American War, The Vietnam war, and not only with other countries but with its self also, the great American revolution. Despite the pride gained in these wars by the Americans, there is much more lost then gained all the men and women that fought for our country, the money, and food, all the wars that America has been involved have greatly affected it. This is why Washington wrote in his Farewell speech, “ stay clear of foreign alliances”, he knew that if the U.S gets involved with other countries it could greatly affect the U.S economy and put the United States to promises they never agreed to do, and the American government

Because of these experiences and his successes later on he was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army to fight the British in the American Revolution. Washington fought in a few wars and many battles throughout his military career to include the American Revolutionary War and the French-Indian war (or seven years war). Some of his Revolutionary war battles include the siege at Boston, Valley Forge, the Battle of Brandywine, the Surrender at Yorktown, and the Battle of Long Island among others.

He has first gained public notice when he went to persuade the French the leave the Ohio Valley as they threatened to drive out the English (“George Washington”). This began to what is known as the Seven Year’s French and Indian War. After this war, many taxes were created to pay for the debt of Britain Protection. New Englanders felt the taxes were an abuse of power and began an American Revolution at Lexington and Concord in which Washington joined the Continental Congress and was named the Commander in Chief of the Continental forces. He led the forces to a moral boosting victory at Valley Forge against the British. After the war, he became the most important man in the country (“George Washington”). Washington retired from the army and became elected the first president of the United States after the new government was formed. When he retired from office he had given his ‘Farewell Address’ speech that included two main priorities for the success of America: no political parties and no foreign affairs (Williams). Although tensions between the French and British were inevitable, Washington was vital in the victory of the later Revolutionary War from the military knowledge he gained from the Seven Year’s War. Washington was extremely influential; thus, without him the ratification of the Constitution would not have been possible. The checks and balances system would not have been created resulting