What Was George Washington An Interest In Early American History

Joseph Ellis has written a very readable and concise synopsis on the life of George Washington. Though more recognizable for his works "Founding Brothers" and "American Sphinx" (about Thomas Jefferson), Ellis successfully undertakes the task of illuminating probably the most important figure in American history.

Everyone knows George Washington as the first president, but most people do not know his other roles in the creation of the United States of America. In Joseph J. Ellis’s book, His Excellency George Washington, Ellis tells about Washington’s life. He includes his time as a general in the Revolutionary War, his life in retirement after the war, and also his time as the president. Ellis’s main focus in the book is to paint a picture for the reader so it almost feels like they are right next to Washington as his life is explained. The information in his book allows for readers to have a better understanding of what Washington went through in his life and also ,at times, gives educated guesses on what Washington might have been thinking. Through this book, it is easy to see why George Washington is referred to as one of the greatest Americans to ever live.

Even though Washington was president, he did not care to be more powerful, he wanted to be an equal. “His appointments advanced the idea that the best-qualified people should be tapped for office.” (Establishment of presidency) Washington decided that to have a secure foundation for a country he needed the best qualified people, not peers or friends looking for power. This shows that Washington does not want to benefit people or himself, he wants what is best for his country. Washington also wanted to restrain his power and always ask for help when needed. “He understood his own limitations and was not reluctant to rely upon the counsel of others.” (Establishment of presidency) This shows that even if Washington was president, his effective leadership and country is more important than his

In this chapter, Joseph J. Ellis tells us about how George Washington’s retirement for being the president. He thinks that it was a good thing because there was no sign of failure and everything got stronger and they were ready for what the future held for the nation. George Washington knew that, from his powerful influence, the country was going to be strong because of the two years he served as president. Joseph J. Ellis also looks at how George Washington’s bad health and his hate towards the press criticism influenced the decision. Then, in the end, the chapter concludes with Washington’s Farewell Address and the discussion of the major points in the text.

Washington’s restraint, solemnity, judiciousness, and nonpartisan stance illustrated a presidential greatness and dignity that dominates the office even in present day. President George Washington was a man who would have been a great king, but refused a crown and saved the republic and the people.

George Washington was one of the most important leaders of the American Revolution against England. Washington was an amazing leader but from a different point of view, he wasn't very good on the battlefield, but he was extremely good on the strategy, which was the role he had in the revolution. He accomplished his objective to form an army and keep it together. Thanks to him the thirteen colonies had the opportunity to fight for eight years to try to achieve their independence. He accomplished one of the most important things during the revolution; he united the thirteen colonies as brothers to fight the government of England as a united nation.

When Washington took over office the United States was a fairly small country compared to today there was only 11 states and around 4 million people. With no precedent for how presidents should conduct themselves, knowing that he would set the example on how future presidents would act Washington began to set many good examples such as respect, fairness, and integrity. Washington supported certain nations but otherwise decided to remain neutral and stayed out of foreign affairs. Domestically, Washington signed to start the first national bank for America, he also nominated the first supreme court justice which was John Jay. One big thing about Washington though is that he didn’t believe in political parties and didn’t take part in any party

As it is said in history, George Washington was the United States of America’s first president and also one of the greatest. Washington served as a general and commander-in-chief during the American Revolution before his reign to presidency. During Washington’s term in office, he wanted to maintain the prosperity of the young nation by keeping the citizens away from

George Washington was a president upon a hill. He set a first-rate example for future presidents by making difficult yet necessary decisions for the developing nation. His words and actions have resonated throughout history and can be seen through feats of other presidents. Some notable acts of Washington include his domestic and foreign policies, selection of the first presidential cabinet, helping the nation’s financial crisis, deciding whether to follow in Great Britain’s or France’s footsteps, his dealings with rebellion, and he even made a lasting impression through his farewell speech of which the

Today George Washington is remembered as the first president of the united states. What most people don't know is that he was also a surveyor, a soldier, a farmer, a businessman, and lastly commander-in-chief of the continental army George Washington was constantly ranked as one of the greatest U.S president. Upon his election, Washington was keenly aware of the importance of setting. A good example, because virtually every action he took would be taken as a precedent for later actions. His choices represented all sections of the county and wide variety of opinions about a new government.

George Washington is seen, to the general public, as a larger than life figure. As a society, Americans have a tendency to view him as a legend, even to the point of creating stories that tell us false stories about his childhood and adulthood. Myths are taught to us from a young age about how the very first president had wooden teeth, and that he was somehow so pure that he could not tell a lie, and that he had such magnificent upper body strength that he threw a silver dollar across the Pontiac. George Washington was both an experienced military leader and a strong political leader, but in which field did he have the most impact?

A founding father of America, James Butler, stated during the first Presidential elections, that “many of the members cast their eyes towards General Washington, as President, and shaped their ideas of the powers to be given a President, by their opinions of his virtue” (“George Washington” 127). He meant that George Washington was a man that, in the eyes of all the chair-holders, fit all the categories that a President should have. America at the time of George Washington was a colony of England. For over 150 years, England was the dominant power that controlled the do’s and don’t of the people living there. However, with the accumulation of laws and acts passed by the British, the Colonial Americans began to revolt. George Washington was one of these rebelling Americans. He acted as a leader for the Americans and surpassed the military and political powers in Europe. George Washington became the first American President because of his popularity, his respect as a great military leader, and also because of his early political career; after accomplishing his goal of liberating America and becoming the first President, he established the idea of a culturally unified country, improved foreign policy, and also legalized laws and acts that are still in effect to this date.

There are many fascinating events and people that make up American history. Some events have changed the very ways that American values have formed and many people have risen to the challenges of their time to make a better country for every American citizen. George Washington was one of those people. He is widely known as one of the founding fathers of America. George Washington was born February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was the oldest son of Augustine and Mary Washington. George Washington lived through and was part of many of America’s first couple defining moments in history. He served as a politician, Army officer, and became the first President of the United States. His time as an Army officer had its ups and

George Washington possessed an extraordinary high amount of commitment to accomplish a goal. He did not let the defeats he encountered during the

Through the many obstacles, America has experienced; George Washington helped this free country become united and created by the people for the people. We know and call him by the title of the Founding Father of the United States. In three important ways, Washington helped shape the beginning of our evolving civilization. For instance, he commanded the Continental Army that won American Independence from Great Britain, known as the Revolutionary War. He was also nominated the president the U.S. Constitutional Convention, which later wrote the U.S. Constitution. In addition to these achievements, which created a strong foundation for America, he became the country’s first presidential leader.