George Washington
1st President of the United States
In office April 30, 1789 – March 4, 1797
Vice President	John Adams
Preceded by	None[a]
Succeeded by	John Adams
Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army
In office June 15, 1775 – December 23, 1783
Preceded by	None
Succeeded by	Henry Knox[b]
Born	February 22, 1732(1732-02-22) Westmoreland County, Colony of Virginia, British America
Died	December 14, 1799 (aged 67) Mount Vernon, Virginia, United States
Nationality	American
Spouse	Martha Dandridge Custis Washington
Occupation	Farmer (Planter), Soldier (General)
Religion	Church of England/Episcopal
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Kingdom of Great Britain United States of America
Service/branch	British Army Continental Army
Years of service	1752–1783
Rank	Colonel (in British service) Lieutenant General (at death) General of the Armies (posthumously)
Commands	Continental Army
Battles/wars	French and Indian War American Revolutionary War
^a  See President of the United States, in Congress Assembled ^b  General Knox served as the Senior Officer of the United States Army

George Washington (February 22, 1732^[1][2][3] – December 14, 1799) was the first President of the United States, (1789–1797),^[4] and led the Continental Army to victory over the Kingdom of Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Year 1789 ( MDCCLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 51 - Nero, later to become Roman Emperor, is given the title Princeps iuventutis (head of the youth Year 1797 ( MDCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common John Adams (October 30 1735 July 4 1826 was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. John Adams (October 30 1735 July 4 1826 was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history Year 1775 ( MDCCLXXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 1783 ( MDCCLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or Henry Knox ( July 25, 1750 &ndash October 25, 1806) was an American Bookseller from Boston who became the chief Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1732 ( MDCCXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Westmoreland County is a County located in the Northern Neck of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state in the United States. The Colony of Virginia (also known frequently as the Virginia Colony and occasionally as the Dominion and Colony of Virginia) was the English colony For American people of British descent see British American. British America consisted of the British Empire in continental North America Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 1799 ( MDCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a This is about the George Washington residence For other uses see Mount Vernon (disambiguation. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Martha Custis Washington (née Dandridge) ( June 2, 1731 &ndash May 22, 1802) was the wife of George Washington, the first A farmer is a person who raises living organisms for food or raw materials Fundamentally a plantation is usually a large Farm or estate, especially in a tropical or semitropical country on which Cotton, Tobacco A soldier is a general English term that refers to a member of a land component of National Armed forces. The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican The Episcopal Church is the official name of the Province of the Anglican Communion in the United States. The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America Colonel ( RP ˈkɜnəl GA ˈkɜrnəl is a Military rank of a Commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country This article is about a United States military rank For other countries that use a similar rank see Lieutenant General. General of the Armies (or in its full title General of the Armies of the United States) is the highest possible rank in the United States Army The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America The French and Indian War (1754&ndash1763 was the North American chapter of the Seven Years' War. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" The President of the Continental Congress was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress, the convention of delegates that emerged as the first national government Prior to the institution of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1903 there was generally a single senior-most officer in the army Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1732 ( MDCCXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 1799 ( MDCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots"

Washington was chosen to be the commander-in-chief of the American revolutionary forces in 1775. A commander-in-chief is the Commander of a nation's Military forces or significant element of those forces The following year, he forced the British out of Boston, lost New York City, and crossed the Delaware River in New Jersey and defeated the surprised enemy units later that year. Background In 1767 the British Parliament passed the Townshend Acts, which imposed import duties on a variety of common items imported into the American The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe The Delaware River is a river on the Atlantic coast of the United States. The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe As a result of his strategy, Revolutionary forces captured the two main British combat armies—Saratoga and Yorktown. Background See also Saratoga campaign The British plan and Howe's blunder The original conception of the campaign had been for Burgoyne with some eight The Siege of Yorktown or Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington Negotiating with Congress, the colonial states, and French allies, he held together a tenuous army and a fragile nation amid the threats of disintegration and failure. Early Modern France is the Early modern period of French history from the end of the 15th century to the end of the 18th century (or from the French Renaissance Following the end of the war in 1783, Washington retired to his plantation on Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon is a Census-designated place (CDP in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States.

Unsatisfied with the Articles of Confederation, he presided over the Philadelphia Convention that drafted the United States Constitution in 1787. The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, also the Articles of Confederation was the governing Constitution of the alliance of thirteen independent and The Philadelphia Convention (now also known as the Constitutional Convention, the Federal Convention, or the " Grand Convention at Philadelphia The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme Law of the United States. Washington became President of the United States in 1789 and established many of the customs and usages of the new government's executive department. The federal government of the United States is the central United States Governmental body established by the United States Constitution. He sought to create a great nation capable of surviving in a world torn asunder by war between Britain and France. His unilateral Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793 provided a basis for avoiding any involvement in foreign conflicts. The Proclamation of Neutrality was a formal announcement issued by President George Washington on April 22, 1793, declaring the United States The diplomatic policy whereby a nation seeks to avoid alliances with other nations in order to avoid being drawn into wars not related to direct territorial self-defense has had a long history He supported plans to build a strong central government by funding the national debt, implementing an effective tax system, and creating a national bank. Central government or the national government (or in Federal states the Federal government) is the Government at the level of the Nation-state Government debt (also known as public debt or national debt) is Money (or credit) owed by any level of government either Central government Taxation in the United States is a complex system which may involve payment to at least four different levels of government and many methods of taxation The term national Bank has several meanings especially in Developing countries, a bank owned by the State an ordinary private Washington avoided the temptation of war and began a decade of peace with Britain via the Jay Treaty in 1795; he used his prestige to get it ratified over intense opposition from the Jeffersonians. The Jay Treaty, also known as the Treaty of London of 1794, between the United States and Great Britain averted war solved many issues left over from Although never officially joining the Federalist Party, he supported its programs and was its inspirational leader. The Federalist Party (or Federal Party) was an American political party in the period 1792 to 1816 with remnants lasting into the 1820s Washington's farewell address was a primer on republican virtue and a stern warning against involvement in foreign wars. George Washington's Farewell Address was written to the people of the United States at the end of his second term as President of the United States

Washington is seen as a symbol of the United States and republicanism in practice. Republicanism is the Value system of Governance that has been a major part of American civic thought since the American Revolution ^[5] His devotion to civic virtue made him an exemplary figure among early American politicians. Classical republicanism' is a form of Republicanism originating from and inspired by the governmental forms and writings of Classical antiquity. Politics of the United States takes place in the framework of a presidential, Federal republic where the President of the United States (the Head of ^[5][6] Washington died in 1799, and in his funeral oration, Henry Lee said that of all Americans, he was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen. Henry Lee III called "Light Horse Harry", ( January 29 1756 – March 25 1818) was a Cavalry officer in " Washington has been consistently ranked by scholars as one of the greatest U.S. Presidents. In Political science, historical rankings of United States Presidents are surveys conducted in order to construct rankings of the success of individuals who have served

Contents 1 Early life 2 French and Indian War (Seven Years War) 3 Between the wars 4 American Revolution 5 Presidency: 1789–1797 5.1 Domestic issues 5.2 Foreign affairs 5.3 Supreme Court appointments 5.4 Farewell Address 6 Retirement and death 7 Legacy 7.1 Monuments and memorials 7.2 Washington and slavery 8 Religious beliefs 9 Personal life 10 See also 11 References: biographies 12 Further reading 13 Notes 14 External links

Early life

Main article: George Washington's early life

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 [O.S. February 11, 1731]^[1] the first son of Augustine Washington and his second wife, Mary Ball Washington, on the family's Pope's Creek Estate near present-day Colonial Beach in Westmoreland County, Virginia. George Washington was the first president of the United States of America Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1732 ( MDCCXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Old Style (or OS) and New Style (or NS) are used in English language historical studies either to indicate that the start of the Julian year Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 1731 ( MDCCXXXI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Augustine Washington ( 1694 - April 23, 1743) was the father of George Washington. The George Washington Birthplace National Monument is in Westmoreland County Virginia Colonial Beach is a town in Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States. Westmoreland County is a County located in the Northern Neck of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state in the United States. He was educated in the home by his father and older brother. ^[7]

In his youth, Washington worked as a surveyor, and acquired what would become invaluable knowledge of the terrain around his native Colony of Virginia. Surveying is the technique and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional space Position of points and the distances and angles between The Colony of Virginia (also known frequently as the Virginia Colony and occasionally as the Dominion and Colony of Virginia) was the English colony The recorded History of Virginia began with settlement of the geographic region now known as the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States thousands of years ago ^[8] Washington embarked upon a career as a planter and in 1748 was invited to help survey Baron Fairfax's lands west of the Blue Ridge. Thomas Fairfax 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron ( October 22, 1693 &ndash December 9, 1781) was the son of Thomas Fairfax 5th Lord Fairfax The Blue Ridge, or Blue Ridge Mountains, is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division In 1749, he was appointed to his first public office, surveyor of newly created Culpeper County,^[7][9] and through his half-brother, Lawrence Washington, he became interested in the Ohio Company, which aimed to exploit Western lands. Culpeper County is a county located in the US state &mdash officially " Commonwealth " &mdash of Virginia. Lawrence Washington (1718-1752 was a soldier and prominent landowner in colonial Virginia. The Ohio Company, formally known as the Ohio Company of Virginia, was a land speculation company organized for the colonization of the Ohio Country. In 1751, George and his half-brother travelled to Barbados, staying at Bush Hill House, hoping for an improvement in Lawrence's tuberculosis. Barbados ( Portuguese word for bearded-ones, bɑrˈbeɪdoʊz -dɒs situated just east of the Caribbean Sea, is an independent Island nation This was the only time George Washington travelled outside what is now the United States. ^[10] After Lawrence's death in 1752, George inherited part of his estate and took over some of Lawrence's duties as adjutant of the colony. Adjutant is a military rank or appointment In some armies it is an officer who assists a more senior officer while in other armies it is a rank which normally corresponds ^[11]

Washington was appointed a district adjutant general in the Virginia militia in 1752,^[7] which made him Major Washington at the age of 20. An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer He was charged with training the militia in the quarter assigned him. ^[12] At age 21, in Fredericksburg, Washington became a Master Mason in the organization of Freemasons, a fraternal organization that was a lifelong influence. Fredericksburg is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is located 50 miles south of Washington D ^[13][14]

In December 1753, Washington was asked by Governor Robert Dinwiddie of Virginia to carry a British ultimatum to the French on the Ohio frontier. Robert Dinwiddie (1693 &ndash July 27, 1770) was a British colonial administrator who served as lieutenant governor of colonial Virginia Ohio ( is a Midwestern state of the United States. As part of the Great Lakes region, Ohio has long been a cultural and geographical crossroads ^[7] Washington assessed French military strength and intentions, and delivered the message to the French at Fort Le Boeuf in present day Waterford, Pennsylvania. Fort Le Boeuf was a Fort established by the French in 1753 on a fork of French Creek, near present-day Waterford, in northwest Waterford is a borough in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The message, which went unheeded, called for the French to abandon their development of the Ohio country, setting in motion two colonial powers toward worldwide conflict. Washington's report on the affair was widely read on both sides of the Atlantic.

French and Indian War (Seven Years War)

Main article: George Washington in the French and Indian War

In 1754, Dinwiddie commissioned Washington a lieutenant colonel and ordered him to lead an expedition to Fort Duquesne to drive out the French. Lieutenant Colonel ( Lieutenant-Colonel in English from the French grade 's spelling is a rank of Commissioned officer in the armies Fort Duquesne (originally called Fort Du Quesne) was a Fort established by the French in 1754, at the junction of the Allegheny ^[7] With his American Indian allies led by Tanacharison, Washington and his troops ambushed a French scouting party of some 30 men, led by Joseph Coulon de Jumonville. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States Tanacharison or Tanaghrisson (c 1700? &ndash 4 October 1754) was an American Indian leader who played a pivotal role in the beginning of the Joseph Coulon de Villiers Sieur de Jumonville ( 8 September 1718 &ndash May 28 1754) was a French Canadian military officer ^[15] Washington and his troops were overwhelmed at Fort Necessity by a larger and better positioned French and Indian force. See also Battle of the Great Meadows Fort Necessity National Battlefield, located The terms of surrender included a statement that Washington had assassinated the scouts and their leader at the Battle of Jumonville Glen. The Battle of Jumonville Glen, also known as the Jumonville affair, was the opening battle of the French and Indian War fought on May 28, 1754 Released by the French, Washington returned to Virginia, where he resigned rather than accept demotion.

In 1755, Washington was an aide to British General Edward Braddock on the ill-fated Monongahela expedition. General Edward Braddock (January 1695 &ndash July 13, 1755) was a British soldier and commander-in-chief for North America during the actions at the start of the ^[7] This was a major effort to retake the Ohio Country. While Braddock was killed and the expedition ended in disaster, Washington distinguished himself as the Hero of the Monongahela. ^[16] While Washington's role during the battle has been debated, biographer Joseph Ellis asserts that Washington rode back and forth across the battlefield, rallying the remnant of the British and Virginian forces to a retreat. For the basketball player see Joe Ellis Joseph John Ellis (born 1943 is a Professor of History on the Ford Foundation at ^[17] Subsequent to this action, Washington was given a difficult frontier command in the Virginia mountains, and was rewarded by being promoted to colonel and named commander of all Virginia forces. Colonel ( RP ˈkɜnəl GA ˈkɜrnəl is a Military rank of a Commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country ^[7]

In 1758, Washington participated as a brigadier general in the Forbes expedition that prompted French evacuation of Fort Duquesne, and British establishment of Pittsburgh. Brigadier General is the lowest ranking General Officer in some countries usually sitting between the ranks of Colonel and Major General. Fort Duquesne (originally called Fort Du Quesne) was a Fort established by the French in 1754, at the junction of the Allegheny ^[7] Later that year, Washington resigned from active military service and spent the next sixteen years as a Virginia planter and politician. ^[18]

Between the wars

Main article: George Washington between the wars

George Washington was introduced to Martha Dandridge Custis, a widow who was living at the White House Plantation on the south shore of the Pamunkey River in New Kent County, Virginia, by friends of Martha when George was on leave from the French and Indian War. Martha Custis Washington (née Dandridge) ( June 2, 1731 &ndash May 22, 1802) was the wife of George Washington, the first White House is an unincorporated community in New Kent County, Virginia, United States, on the south shore of the Pamunkey River. The Pamunkey River is a Tributary of the York River, about 90 mi (145 km long in eastern Virginia in the United States. New Kent County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. George only visited her home twice before proposing marriage to her 3 weeks after they met. George and Martha were each 27 years old when they married on January 6, 1759 at her home, known as The White House, which shared its name with the future presidential mansion. Events 1066 - Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. 1205 - Philip of Swabia becomes King Year 1759 ( MDCCLIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence The newlywed couple moved to Mount Vernon, where he took up the tuckahoe life of a genteel planter and political figure. Tuckahoe was a term used during the 18th and 19th centuries to describe a cultural group i They had a good marriage, and together they raised her two children by her previous marriage to Daniel Parke Custis, John Parke Custis and Martha Parke Custis, affectionately called "Jackie" and "Patsy. Daniel Parke Custis ( 15 October 1711 &ndash 8 July 1757) was a wealthy Virginia planter John Parke Custis ( 27 November 1754 – 5 November 1781) was a Virginia planter and stepson of George Washington. "^[19] George and Martha never had any children together — an earlier bout with smallpox followed by tuberculosis may have left him sterile. Smallpox is an Infectious disease unique to humans caused by either of two virus variants named Variola major and Variola minor. Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or T u' b' erculosis Bacillus --> is a common ^[20] Later the Washingtons raised two of Mrs. Washington's grandchildren, Eleanor Parke Custis ("Nelly") and George Washington Parke Custis ("Washy") after their father died in 1781. Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis ( March 31, 1779 – July 15, 1852) known as Nelly, was the granddaughter of Martha Washington George Washington Parke Custis ( April 30, 1781 &ndash October 10, 1857) the adopted son (and also stepgrandson of United States ^[21]

Washington's marriage to a wealthy widow greatly increased his property holdings and social standing. He acquired one-third of the 18,000 acre (73 km²) Custis estate upon his marriage, and managed the remainder on behalf of Martha's children. He frequently purchased additional land in his own name, and was granted land in what is now West Virginia as a bounty for his service in the French and Indian War. West Virginia ( is a state in the Appalachian Upland South, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, bordered by By 1775, Washington had doubled the size of Mount Vernon to 6,500 acres (26 km²), with over 100 slaves. As a respected military hero and large landowner, he held local office and was elected to the Virginia provincial legislature, the House of Burgesses, beginning in 1758,^[22] and he served as a justice of Fairfax, and held court in Alexandria, Virginia between 1760 and 1774. The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first elected lower house in the legislative assembly in the New World established in the Colony of Virginia in Fairfax County is a county in Northern Virginia, in the United States. Alexandria is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. ^[7]

Washington first took a leading role in the growing colonial resistance in 1769, when he introduced a proposal drafted by his friend George Mason which called for Virginia to boycott imported English goods until the Townshend Acts were repealed. George Mason IV ( December 11, 1725 &ndash October 7, 1792) was a United States patriot, statesman and delegate from The Townshend Acts (1767 passed by Parliament on 29 June 1767 refer to two Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain passed in 1767 originally proposed by Charles Parliament repealed the Acts in 1770. Washington also took an active interest in helping his fellow citizens. On September 21, 1771 Washington wrote a letter to Neil Jameson on behalf of Jonathan Plowman Jr., a merchant from Baltimore whose ship had been seized for exporting non-permitted items by the Boston Frigate, and requested his help toward recovery of Plowman's ship. Events 1217 - The Estonian tribal leader Lembitu of Lehola was killed in a battle against Teutonic Knights. Year 1771 ( MDCCLXXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Jonathan Plowman Jr (Still Alive today FOOL! was and still is a member of the Revolutionary City Council of Baltimore Maryland who participated in a group who reported ^[23] Washington regarded the passage of the Intolerable Acts in 1774 as "an Invasion of our Rights and Privileges. The Intolerable Acts or the Coercive Acts are names used to describe a series of laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 relating to Britain's colonies " In July 1774, he chaired the meeting at which the Fairfax Resolves were adopted, which called for, among other things, the convening of a Continental Congress. The Fairfax Resolves was a set of resolutions adopted by a committee in Fairfax County in the Colony of Virginia on July 18 1774 in the early stages of The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the In August, he attended the First Virginia Convention, where he was selected as a delegate to the First Continental Congress. The Virginia Conventions were a series of five political meetings in the Colony of Virginia during the American Revolution. The First Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from twelve of the thirteen British North American colonies that met on September 5 1774 in ^[24]

American Revolution

Main article: George Washington in the American Revolution

After fighting broke out in April 1775, Washington appeared at the Second Continental Congress in military uniform, signaling that he was prepared for war. The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. The Second Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that met beginning in May 10 1775 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Washington had the prestige, the military experience, the charisma and military bearing, the reputation of being a strong patriot, and he was supported by the South, especially Virginia. Although he did not explicitly seek the office of commander and even claimed that he was not equal to it, there was no serious competition. Congress created the Continental Army on June 14, 1775; the next day, on the nomination of John Adams of Massachusetts, Washington was appointed Major General and elected by Congress to be Commander-in-chief. The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America Events 1276 - While taking exile in Fuzhou in southern China, away from the advancing Mongol invaders, the remnants of the Year 1775 ( MDCCLXXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Major General or Major-General is a Military rank used in many countries A commander-in-chief is the Commander of a nation's Military forces or significant element of those forces ^[7]

Washington assumed command of the Continental Army in the field at Cambridge, Massachusetts in July 1775,^[7] during the ongoing siege of Boston. Cambridge Massachusetts is a City in the Greater Boston area of Massachusetts, United States. Background Prior to 1775 the British had imposed taxes onto the Americans which they did not take kindly to Realizing his army's desperate shortage of gunpowder, Washington asked for new sources. British arsenals were raided (including some in the Caribbean) and some manufacturing was attempted; a barely adequate supply (about 2. The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting 5 million pounds) was obtained by the end of 1776, mostly from France. ^[25] Washington reorganized the army during the long standoff, and forced the British to withdraw by putting artillery on Dorchester Heights overlooking the city. The British evacuated Boston and Washington moved his army to New York City. In Suffolk County Massachusetts, March 17 is Evacuation Day, an official holiday commemorating the evacuation of the city of Boston by British The City of New York

Although negative toward the patriots in the Continental Congress, British newspapers routinely praised Washington's personal character and qualities as a military commander. ^[26] Moreover, both sides of the aisle in Parliament found the American general's courage, endurance, and attentiveness to the welfare of his troops worthy of approbation and examples of the virtues they and most other Britons found wanting in their own commanders. Washington's refusal to become involved in politics buttressed his reputation as a man fully committed to the military mission at hand and above the factional fray.

In August 1776, British General William Howe launched a massive naval and land campaign designed to seize New York and offer a negotiated settlement. William Howe 5th Viscount Howe, KB, PC ( 10 August 1729 &ndash 12 July 1814) was a British General who The Continental Army under Washington engaged the enemy for the first time as an army of the newly-declared independent United States at the Battle of Long Island, the largest battle of the entire war. Background On March 17 1776 the British fleet retreated to Halifax Nova Scotia to refit after the end of the year-long Siege of Boston. This and several other British victories sent Washington scrambling out of New York and across New Jersey, leaving the future of the Continental Army in doubt. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. On the night of December 25, 1776, Washington staged a counterattack, leading the American forces across the Delaware River to capture nearly 1,000 Hessians in Trenton, New Jersey. Events 274 - Roman Emperor Aurelian Year 1776 ( MDCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Background In the time before the battle American morale was low Washington's crossing of the Delaware, occurring on December 25, 1776 during the American Revolutionary War, was the first move in a surprise attack against Trenton is the Capital of the US state of New Jersey and the County seat of Mercer County.

Washington was defeated at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. Background In late July 1777 after a distressing 34-day journey from Sandy Hook on the coast of New Jersey, an Armada of more than 260 ships carrying Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common On September 26, Howe outmaneuvered Washington and marched into Philadelphia unopposed. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar dedicates a Washington's army unsuccessfully attacked the British garrison at Germantown in early October. Prelude The campaign in Philadelphia had begun quite badly for the American forces Germantown is a neighborhood in the Northwest Philadelphia section of the city of Philadelphia, about six miles northwest from the center of the city Meanwhile Burgoyne, out of reach from help from Howe, was trapped and forced to surrender his entire army at Saratoga, New York. Background See also Saratoga campaign The British plan and Howe's blunder The original conception of the campaign had been for Burgoyne with some eight Saratoga is a Town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. As a result of this battle, France entered the war as an open ally of the Americans, turning the Revolution into a major world-wide war. Washington's loss of Philadelphia prompted some members of Congress to discuss removing Washington from command. This attempt failed after Washington's supporters rallied behind him. The Conway Cabal refers to an effort in late 1777 and 1778 to remove George Washington as commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary ^[27]

Washington's army encamped at Valley Forge in December 1777, where it stayed for the next six months. Valley Forge, Pennsylvania was the site of the camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777&ndash1778 in the American Revolutionary War. Over the winter, 2,500 men (out of 10,000) died from disease and exposure. The next spring, however, the army emerged from Valley Forge in good order, thanks in part to a full-scale training program supervised by Baron von Steuben, a veteran of the Prussian general staff. Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von Steuben ( September 17, 1730 &ndash November 28, 1794) was a Prussian-German army officer The British evacuated Philadelphia in 1778 and returned to New York City. Meanwhile, Washington remained with his army outside New York, and in the summer of 1779, at Washington's direction, General John Sullivan, in retaliation for Iroquois and Tory attacks against American settlements earlier in the war, carried out a decisive scorched earth campaign that destroyed at least forty Iroquois villages throughout what is now upstate New York. Background When the American Revolutionary War began British officials as well as the colonial Continental Congress sought the allegiance (or at least the neutrality A scorched earth policy is a military strategy or operational method (possibly more often referred to as a tactic but this is not entirely correct as there is a difference between He delivered the final blow in 1781, after a French naval victory allowed American and French forces to trap a British army in Virginia. Background After a strategically indecisive campaign in the southern states, in the summer of 1781 British troops under Lord Cornwallis headed to the coast at Yorktown The surrender at Yorktown on October 17, 1781 marked the end of fighting. The Siege of Yorktown or Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington Events 539 BC - King Cyrus The Great of Persia marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost Year 1781 ( MDCCLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Though known for his successes in the war and of his life that followed, Washington only won three of the nine battles that he fought. ^[28]

In March 1783, Washington used his influence to disperse a group of Army officers who had threatened to confront Congress regarding their back pay. The Newburgh Conspiracy was a plot hatched in 1783 near the end of the American Revolutionary War resulting from the fact that many of the officers and men of the The Treaty of Paris (signed that September) recognized the independence of the United States. The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, and approved by the Congress of the Confederation on January 14, 1784, formally Washington disbanded his army and, on November 2, gave an eloquent farewell address to his soldiers. Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000 ^[29] On November 25, the British evacuated New York City, and Washington and the governor took possession. Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the Following the American Revolution, Evacuation Day on November 25 marks the day in 1783 when the last vestige of British authority in the At Fraunces Tavern on December 4, Washington formally bade his officers farewell and on December 23, 1783, he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief, emulating the Roman general Cincinnatus, an exemplar of the republican ideal of citizen leadership who rejected power. Fraunces Tavern is a restaurant and museum in lower Manhattan, New York City. "December 4th" redirects here For the song by Jay-Z, see December 4th (song. Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 1783 ( MDCCLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus (519 BC &ndash 430 BC? was an ancient Roman political figure serving as Consul in 460 BC and Roman dictator in 458 BC and During this period, the United States was governed under the Articles of Confederation without a President; governmental organization was different from the present form.

Washington's retirement to Mount Vernon was short-lived. He made an exploratory trip to the western frontier in 1784,^[7] was persuaded to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787, and was unanimously elected president of the Convention. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə He participated little in the debates involved (though he did vote for or against the various articles), but his high prestige maintained collegiality and kept the delegates at their labors. The delegates designed the presidency with Washington in mind, and allowed him to define the office once elected. After the Convention, his support convinced many, including the Virginia legislature, to vote for ratification; the new Constitution was ratified by all 13 states. The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme Law of the United States.

Presidency: 1789–1797

Main article: Presidency of George Washington

The Washington Cabinet
OFFICE	NAME	TERM
President	George Washington	1789 – 1797
Vice President	John Adams	1789 – 1797
Secretary of State	Thomas Jefferson	1790 – 1793
	Edmund Randolph	1794 – 1795
	Timothy Pickering	1795 – 1797
Secretary of Treasury	Alexander Hamilton	1789 – 1795
	Oliver Wolcott, Jr.	1795 – 1797
Secretary of War	Henry Knox	1789 – 1794
	Timothy Pickering	1795 – 1795
	James McHenry	1796 – 1797
Attorney General	Edmund Randolph	1789 – 1794
	William Bradford	1794 – 1795
	Charles Lee	1795 – 1797

The Electoral College elected Washington unanimously in 1789, and again in the 1792 election; he remains the only president to receive 100% of electoral votes. With inauguration on April 30 1789 the presidency of George Washington initiated a significant leadership role over the United States The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by The Vice President of the United States is the first person in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death John Adams (October 30 1735 July 4 1826 was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. The United States Secretary of State (commonly abbreviated as SecState) is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with Foreign affairs Thomas Jefferson (April 13 1743 – July 4 1826 was the third President of the United States (1801–1809 the principal author of the Declaration of Independence Edmund Jenings Randolph ( August 10, 1753 September 12, 1813) was an American attorney, Governor of Virginia Timothy Pickering ( July 17 1745 &ndash January 29 1829) was a politician from Massachusetts who served in a variety of roles The United States Secretary of the Treasury is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury, concerned with finance and monetary matters, and until Oliver Wolcott Jr ( January 11, 1760 June 1, 1833) was United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1795 to 1800 and governor The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington 's administration Henry Knox ( July 25, 1750 &ndash October 25, 1806) was an American Bookseller from Boston who became the chief Timothy Pickering ( July 17 1745 &ndash January 29 1829) was a politician from Massachusetts who served in a variety of roles James McHenry ( November 16, 1753 May 3, 1816) was an early American statesman The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice (see) concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement Edmund Jenings Randolph ( August 10, 1753 September 12, 1813) was an American attorney, Governor of Virginia William Bradford ( September 14, 1755 – August 23, 1795) was a lawyer and judge from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, and the second Charles Lee (1758 &ndash June 24 1815) was an American lawyer from Virginia Gilbert Charles Stuart (born Stewart) (December 3 1755 &ndash July 9 1828 was an American painter from Rhode Island. The Electoral College consists of 538 popularly elected representatives who formally select the President and Vice President of the United States. The United States presidential election of 1789 was the first presidential election in the United States of America, and the only one to not take place in an even numbered The United States presidential election of 1792 was the second presidential election in the United States, and the first in which each of the original 13 states appointed John Adams was elected vice president. John Adams (October 30 1735 July 4 1826 was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. The Vice President of the United States is the first person in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death Washington took the oath of office as the first President under the Constitution for the United States of America on April 30, 1789 at Federal Hall in New York City although, at first, he had not wanted the position. The oath or affirmation of office of the President of the United States was established in the United States Constitution and is mandatory for Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Year 1789 ( MDCCLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Federal Hall, located at 26 Wall Street in New York City, was the first capitol of the United States of America and the site of George Washington ^[30]

The 1st United States Congress voted to pay Washington a salary of $25,000 a year — a large sum in 1789. The First United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government consisting of the United States Senate and the Washington, already wealthy, declined the salary, since he valued his image as a selfless public servant. At the urging of Congress, however, he ultimately accepted the payment. A dangerous precedent could have been set otherwise, as the founding fathers wanted future presidents to come from a large pool of potential candidates — not just those citizens who could afford to do the work for free.

Washington attended carefully to the pomp and ceremony of office, making sure that the titles and trappings were suitably republican and never emulated European royal courts. To that end, he preferred the title "Mr. President" to the more majestic names suggested.

Washington proved an able administrator. An excellent delegator and judge of talent and character, he held regular cabinet meetings to debate issues before making a final decision. In handling routine tasks, he was "systematic, orderly, energetic, solicitous of the opinion of others but decisive, intent upon general goals and the consistency of particular actions with them. "^[31]

Washington reluctantly served a second term as president. He refused to run for a third, establishing the customary policy of a maximum of two terms for a president which later became law by the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution. The Twenty-second Amendment ( Amendment XXII) of the United States Constitution sets a Term limit for the President of the United States. ^[32]

Domestic issues

States admitted to Union
North Carolina – November 21, 1789 12th state
Rhode Island – May 29, 1790 13th state
Vermont – May 4, 1791 14th state
Kentucky – June 1, 1792 15th state
Tennessee – June 1, 1796 16th state

Washington was not a member of any political party, and hoped that they would not be formed out of fear of the conflict and stagnation they could cause governance. North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States Events 164 BC - Judas Maccabaeus, son of Mattathias of the Hasmonean family restores the Temple in Jerusalem. Year 1789 ( MDCCLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Rhode Island ( officially named the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, is a state in the New England region of the United States Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the Year 1790 ( MDCCXC) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Vermont ( is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. Events 1256 - The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV Year 1791 ( MDCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Commonwealth of Kentucky ( is a state located in the East Central United States of America. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 1792 ( MDCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Tennessee ( is a state located in the Southern United States. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 1796 ( MDCCXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year His closest advisors, however, formed two factions, setting the framework for the future First Party System. The First Party System is a term of Periodization used by some political scientists and historians to describe the political system existing in the United States between Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton had bold plans to establish the national credit and build a financially powerful nation, and formed the basis of the Federalist Party. The Federalist Party (or Federal Party) was an American political party in the period 1792 to 1816 with remnants lasting into the 1820s Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, founder of the Jeffersonian Republicans, strenuously opposed Hamilton's agenda, but Washington favored Hamilton over Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson (April 13 1743 – July 4 1826 was the third President of the United States (1801–1809 the principal author of the Declaration of Independence

In 1791, Congress imposed an excise on distilled spirits, which led to protests in frontier districts, especially Pennsylvania. Excise or Excise tax (sometimes called an excise duty) is a type of Tax charged on goods produced within the country (as opposed to Customs duties By 1794, after Washington ordered the protesters to appear in U.S. district court, the protests turned into full-scale riots known as the Whiskey Rebellion. The United States district courts are the general Trial courts of the United States federal court system. The Whiskey Rebellion, less commonly known as the Whiskey Insurrection, was a popular uprising that had its beginnings in 1791 and culminated in an insurrection in 1794 in the The federal army was too small to be used, so Washington invoked the Militia Act of 1792 to summon the militias of Pennsylvania, Virginia and several other states. The Militia Act of 1792 was a series of Statutes enacted by the second United States Congress in 1792. The governors sent the troops and Washington took command, marching into the rebellious districts. ^[33] There was no fighting, but Washington's forceful action proved the new government could protect itself. It also was one of only two times that a sitting President would personally command the military in the field. These events marked the first time under the new constitution that the federal government used strong military force to exert authority over the states and citizens.

Foreign affairs

In 1793, the revolutionary government of France sent diplomat Edmond-Charles Genêt, called "Citizen Genêt," to America. Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Edmond-Charles Genêt ( January 8, 1763 &ndash July 14, 1834) also known as Citizen Genêt, was a French ambassador Genêt issued letters of marque and reprisal to American ships so they could capture British merchant ships. A letter of marque is an official warrant or commission from a Government authorizing the designated agent to search seize or destroy specified assets He attempted to turn popular sentiment towards American involvement in the French war against Britain by creating a network of Democratic-Republican Societies in major cities. Democratic-Republican Societies were local political organizations formed in the United States in 1793-94 to promote Republicanism and Democracy and to Washington rejected this interference in domestic affairs, demanded the French government recall Genêt, and denounced his societies.

To normalize trade relations with Britain, remove them from western forts, and resolve financial debts left over from the Revolution, Hamilton and Washington designed the Jay Treaty. The Jay Treaty, also known as the Treaty of London of 1794, between the United States and Great Britain averted war solved many issues left over from It was negotiated by John Jay, and signed on November 19, 1794. John Jay (December 12 1745 – May 17 1829 was an American Politician, Statesman, revolutionary, Diplomat, a Supreme Court Events 1095 - The Council of Clermont, called by Pope Urban II to discuss sending the First Crusade to the Holy Land Year 1794 ( MDCCXCIV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Jeffersonians supported France and strongly attacked the treaty. Washington and Hamilton, however, mobilized public opinion and won ratification by the Senate by emphasizing Washington's support. The British agreed to depart their forts around the Great Lakes, the Canadian-U. The Laurentian Great Lakes are a chain of freshwater lakes located in eastern North America, on the Canada–United States border. S. boundary was adjusted, numerous pre-Revolutionary debts were liquidated, and the British opened their West Indies colonies to American trade. Most importantly, the treaty avoided war with Britain and instead brought a decade of prosperous trade with Britain. It angered the French and became a central issue in political debates.

Supreme Court appointments

George Washington appointed the following Justices to the Supreme Court:^[34]

• John Jay (Chief Justice) – 1789
• William Cushing (Associate Justice) – 1789
• John Rutledge (Associate Justice) – 1789
• James Wilson – 1789
• John Blair – 1789
• James Iredell – 1790
• Thomas Johnson – 1792
• William Paterson – 1793
• John Rutledge (Chief Justice) – 1795
• William Cushing (Chief Justice, disputed) – 1796
• Samuel Chase – 1796
• Oliver Ellsworth (Chief Justice) – 1796

Farewell Address

Washington's Farewell Address (issued as a public letter in 1796) was one of the most influential statements of American political values. George Washington's Farewell Address was written to the people of the United States at the end of his second term as President of the United States ^[35] Drafted primarily by Washington himself, with help from Hamilton, it gives advice on the necessity and importance of national union, the value of the Constitution and the rule of law, the evils of political parties, and the proper virtues of a republican people. While he declined suggested versions^[36] that would have included statements that there could be no morality without religion, he called morality "a necessary spring of popular government". He said, "Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. "^[37]

Washington's public political address warned against foreign influence in domestic affairs and American meddling in European affairs. He warned against bitter partisanship in domestic politics and called for men to move beyond partisanship and serve the common good. He called for an America wholly free of foreign attachments, saying the United States must concentrate primarily on American interests. He counseled friendship and commerce with all nations, but warned against involvement in European wars and entering into long-term "entangling" alliances. The address quickly set American values regarding religion and foreign affairs.

Retirement and death

After retiring from the presidency in March 1797, Washington returned to Mount Vernon with a profound sense of relief. He devoted much time to farming and, in that year, constructed (or oversaw the construction of) a 2,250 square foot (75-by-30 feet, 200 m²) distillery, which was one of the largest in the new republic, housing five copper stills, a boiler and 50 mash tubs, at the site of one of his unprofitable farms. At its peak, two years later, the distillery produced 11,000 gallons of corn and rye whiskey worth $7,500, and fruit brandy. ^[38][39]

On July 13, 1798, Washington was appointed by President John Adams to be Lieutenant General and Commander-in-chief of all armies raised or to be raised for service in a prospective war with France. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Year 1798 ( MDCCXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a John Adams (October 30 1735 July 4 1826 was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. Lieutenant General is a Military rank used in many countries The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the A commander-in-chief is the Commander of a nation's Military forces or significant element of those forces He served as the senior officer of the United States Army between July 13, 1798 and December 14, 1799. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Year 1798 ( MDCCXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 1799 ( MDCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a He participated in the planning for a Provisional Army to meet any emergency that might arise, but did not take the field. ^[7]

On December 12, 1799, Washington spent several hours inspecting his farms on horseback, in snow and later hail and freezing rain. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Year 1799 ( MDCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a He sat down to dine that evening without changing his wet clothes. The next morning, he awoke with a bad cold, fever and a throat infection called quinsy that turned into acute laryngitis and pneumonia. Peritonsillar abscess, also called PTA or Quinsy, is a recognised complication of Tonsillitis and consists of a collection of Pus beside the Laryngitis is an Inflammation of the Larynx. It causes hoarse voice or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the Vocal folds Pneumonia is an inflammatory illness of the Lung. Frequently it is described as lung Parenchyma / alveolar inflammation and abnormal Washington died on the evening of December 14, 1799, at his home aged 67, while attended by Dr. Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 1799 ( MDCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a James Craik, one of his closest friends, and Tobias Lear V, Washington's personal secretary. James Craik ( 1730 - February 6, 1814) was Physician General (precursor of the Surgeon General) of the United States Army, as well Tobias Lear V (born 1762 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire - died October 11 1816 in Washington D Lear would record the account in his journal, writing that Washington's last words were Tis well.

Modern doctors believe that Washington died largely because of his treatment, which included calomel and bloodletting, resulting in a combination of shock from the loss of five pints of blood, as well as asphyxia and dehydration. Mercury(I chloride is the Chemical compound with the formula Hg2Cl2 Bloodletting (or blood-letting, in modern medicine referred to as phlebotomy) was a tremendously popular medical practice from antiquity up to the late Dehydration ( hypohydration) is the removal of Water ( hydro in ancient Greek) from an object ^[40] Washington's remains were buried at Mount Vernon. To protect their privacy, Martha Washington burned the correspondence between her husband and herself following his death. Only three letters between the couple have survived.

Following his death, the British Navy lowered their flags at half mast, the American army wore black armbands for 6 months and Napoleon ordered 10 days of mourning throughout France. Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. ^[41]

During the United States Bicentennial year, George Washington was posthumously appointed to the grade of General of the Armies of The United States by the congressional joint resolution Public Law 94-479 of January 19, 1976, approved by President Gerald R. Ford on October 11, 1976, and formalized in Department of the Army Order Number 31-3 of March 13, 1978 with an effective appointment date of July 4, 1976. The United States Bicentennial was celebrated on Sunday July 4, 1976, the 200th Anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence General of the Armies (or in its full title General of the Armies of the United States) is the highest possible rank in the United States Army Events 1419 - Hundred Years' War: Rouen surrenders to Henry V of England completing his reconquest of Normandy. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr (July 14 1913 December 26 2006 was the thirty-eighth President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977 and the fortieth Vice President Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[7] This restored Washington's position as the highest ranking military officer in U. S. history, which had been undone when General John J. Pershing was made General of the Armies at the end of World War I. John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, GCB ( September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948) was an officer in the United States Army General of the Armies (or in its full title General of the Armies of the United States) is the highest possible rank in the United States Army World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All

Legacy

Main article: George Washington's legacy

Further information: Cultural depictions of George Washington

Congressman Henry Lee, a Revolutionary War comrade and father of the Civil War general Robert E. Lee, famously eulogized Washington as:

First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in humble and enduring scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform, dignified, and commanding; his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting…Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues…Such was the man for whom our nation mourns.

Lee's words set the standard by which Washington's overwhelming reputation was impressed upon the American memory. Washington set many precedents for the national government and the presidency in particular.

As early as 1778, Washington was lauded as the "Father of His Country. Pater Patriae (plural Patres Patriae) also seen as Parens Patriae, is a Latin Honorific meaning " Father "^[42]

He was upheld as a shining example in schoolbooks and lessons: as courageous and farsighted, holding the Continental Army together through eight hard years of war and numerous privations, sometimes by sheer force of will; and as restrained: at war's end taking affront at the notion he should be King; and after two terms as President, stepping aside.

Washington manifested himself as the exemplar of republican virtue in America. More than any American he was extolled for his great personal integrity, and a deeply held sense of duty, honor and patriotism. He is seen more as a character model than war hero or founding father. One of Washington's greatest achievements, in terms of republican values, was refraining from taking more power than was due. He was conscientious of maintaining a good reputation by avoiding political intrigue. He rejected nepotism or cronyism. Jefferson observed, "The moderation and virtue of a single character probably prevented this Revolution from being closed, as most others have been, by a subversion of that liberty it was intended to establish. "^[43]

Monuments and memorials

Today, Washington's face and image are often used as national symbols of the United States, along with the icons such as the flag and great seal. A quarter dollar is a coin worth 1/4 of a United States dollar, or 25 cents. Dollar coins have been minted in the United States in Gold, Silver, and Base metal versions Perhaps the most prominent commemoration of his legacy is the use of his image on the one-dollar bill and the quarter-dollar coin. The United States one-dollar bill ($1 is the most common denomination of US currency. A quarter dollar is a coin worth 1/4 of a United States dollar, or 25 cents. Washington, together with Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln, is depicted in stone at the Mount Rushmore Memorial. Theodore Roosevelt (ˈroʊzəvɛlt October 27 1858 January 6 1919 also known as T Thomas Jefferson (April 13 1743 – July 4 1826 was the third President of the United States (1801–1809 the principal author of the Declaration of Independence Abraham Lincoln (February 12 1809 &ndash April 15 1865 the sixteenth President of the United States, successfully led his country through its greatest internal Mount Rushmore National Memorial, near Keystone, South Dakota, is a monumental Granite sculpture by Gutzon Borglum (1867–1941 located The Washington Monument, one of the most well-known American landmarks, was built in his honor. The Washington Monument is a large tall sand-colored Obelisk near the west end of the National Mall in Washington D The George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia, constructed entirely with voluntary contributions from members of the Masonic Fraternity, was also built in his honor. George Washington Masonic National Memorial is a Masonic Lodge and memorial dedicated to the memory of George Washington, the first President of the United ^[44]

Many things have been named in honor of Washington. This is a list of places in the United States named for George Washington: Counties Counties or equivalents in the United States named after George Washington Washington's name became that of the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., and the State of Washington, the only state to be named after an American (Maryland, the Virginias, the Carolinas and Georgia are named in honor of British monarchs). Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Washington ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Henrietta Maria ( 25 November 1609 – 10 September 1669) was Princess of France and Queen Consort of England, Scotland The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state The Province of Carolina from 1663 to 1712, was a North American British proprietary Colony, controlled by eight English noblemen The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule George Washington University and Washington University in St. Louis were named for him, as was Washington and Lee University (once Washington Academy), which was renamed due to Washington’s large endowment in 1796. The George Washington University ( GW or GWU) is a private coeducational university located in Washington D Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts college in Lexington Virginia, USA

The Confederate Seal prominently featured George Washington on horseback, in the same position as a statue of him in Richmond, Virginia. The Confederate Seal was the seal of the government styled Confederate States of America, of the eleven states that attempted secession during the American Civil War This article is about the city of Richmond the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Washington and slavery

Main article: George Washington and slavery

For most of his life, Washington operated his plantations as a typical Virginia slave owner. Examination of the history of George Washington and slavery reveals that he was a typical Virginia slave owner for most of his life This article is about the cultivation and uses of industrial hemp not its psychoactive cousin Cannabis (drug. In the 1760s, he dropped tobacco (which was prestigious but unprofitable) and shifted to hemp^[45] and wheat growing and diversified into milling flour, weaving cloth, and distilling brandy. This article is about the cultivation and uses of industrial hemp not its psychoactive cousin Cannabis (drug. Wheat ( Triticum spp is a worldwide cultivated grass from the Levant area of the Middle East. By the time of his death, there were 317 slaves at Mount Vernon.

Before the American Revolution, Washington expressed no moral reservations about slavery, but by 1778 he did not want to break up slave families and stopped selling slaves without their consent.

Since maintaining a large (and increasingly elderly) slave population was not economically profitable, Washington wrote to his manager at Mount Vernon that he wished to sell his slaves and "to get quit of negroes" while he was at war in 1778. Washington could not legally sell "dower slaves" (those that belonged to his wife) however, and because these slaves had long intermarried with his own slaves, he could not sell his slaves without breaking up families. ^[46]

Washington was the only prominent, slaveholding Founding Father who succeeded at emancipating his slaves. He did not free his slaves in his lifetime, however, but instead included a provision in his will to free his slaves upon the death of his wife. Not all the slaves at his estate at Mt. Vernon were owned by him, his wife Martha owned a large number of slaves and Washington did not feel that he could unilaterally free slaves that came to Mt. Vernon from his wife's estate. His actions were influenced by his close relationship with the Marquis de La Fayette. Martha Washington would free slaves to which she had title late in her own life. He did not speak out publicly against slavery, argues historian Dorothy Twohig, because he did not wish to risk splitting apart the young republic over what was already a sensitive and divisive issue. ^[47]

Religious beliefs

Main article: George Washington and religion

Washington was baptized into the Church of England. The exact nature of George Washington's religious beliefs has been debated by historians and biographers for over two-hundred years In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican ^[48][49] In 1765, when the Church of England was still the state religion,^[50] he served on the vestry (lay council) for his local church. A state religion (also called an official religion, established church or state church) is a religious body or Creed officially A vestry is a storage room in or attached to a church or Synagogue. Throughout his life, he spoke of the value of righteousness, and of seeking and offering thanks for the "blessings of Heaven. "

In a letter to George Mason in 1785, Washington wrote that he was not among those alarmed by a bill "making people pay towards the support of that [religion] which they profess," but felt that it was "impolitic" to pass such a measure, and wished it had never been proposed, believing that it would disturb public tranquility. ^[51]

His adopted daughter, Nelly Custis Lewis, stated: "I have heard her [Nelly's mother, Eleanor Calvert Custis, who resided in Mount Vernon for two years] say that General Washington always received the sacrament with my grandmother [Martha Washington] before the revolution. "^[52] After the revolution, Washington frequently accompanied his wife to Christian church services; however, there is no record of his ever taking communion, and he would regularly leave services before communion—with the other non-communicants (as was the custom of the day), until he ceased attending at all on communion Sundays. Prior to communion, believers are admonished to take stock of their spiritual lives and not to participate in the ceremony unless he finds himself in the will of God. ^[53][54] Historians and biographers continue to debate the degree to which he can be counted as a Christian, and the degree to which he was a deist. Deism is the belief that a supreme God exists and created the physical universe and that religious truths can be arrived at by the application of reason alone without dependence on revelation

He was an early supporter of religious toleration and freedom of religion. Religious toleration is the condition of accepting or permitting others' religious beliefs and practices which disagree with one's own Freedom of religion is the freedom of an individual or community in public or private to manifest religion or belief in teaching practice worship and observance In 1775, he ordered that his troops not show anti-Catholic sentiments by burning the pope in effigy on Guy Fawkes Night. An effigy is a representation of a person especially in the form of Sculpture. Guy Fawkes Night (also known as Bonfire Night, Cracker Night, Fireworks Night) is an annual celebration on the evening of the 5th of November When hiring workmen for Mount Vernon, he wrote to his agent, "If they be good workmen, they may be from Asia, Africa, or Europe; they may be Mohammedans, Jews, or Christians of any sect, or they may be Atheists. Mohammedan (variant forms Muhammadan Mahommedan or Mahometan is a term used as both a Noun and an Adjective meaning belonging or relating to either "^[53] In 1790, he wrote a response to a letter from the Touro Synagogue, in which he said that as long as people remain good citizens, their faith does not matter. The Touro Synagogue is a Synagogue in Newport Rhode Island, that is the oldest surviving Jewish synagogue building in North America and the This was a relief to the Jewish community of the United States, since the Jews had been either expelled from or prejudiced against in many European countries. (The United States Bill of Rights was in the process of being ratified at the time. In the United States the Bill of Rights is the name by which the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are known )

Personal life

In addition to Martha's biological family noted above, George Washington had a close relationship with his nephew and heir Bushrod Washington, son of George's younger brother John Augustine Washington, who became an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court after George's death. Nicolas Martiau ( Ile de Ré 1591 Yorktown 1657 was a Frenchman who emigrated to the United States of America in the 17th century Île de Ré (formerly also Île de Rhé; in English Isle of Rhé) is an Island off the west coast of France near La Rochelle, This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Bushrod Washington ( June 5, 1762 &ndash November 26, 1829) was a U John Augustine Washington (1736-1787 was a member of the fifth Virginia Convention and a founding member of the Mississippi Land Company.

As a young man, Washington had red hair. ^[55][56] A popular myth is that he wore a wig, as was the fashion among some at the time. Washington did not wear a wig; instead he powdered his hair,^[57] as represented in several portraits, including the well-known unfinished Gilbert Stuart depiction. Gilbert Charles Stuart (born Stewart) (December 3 1755 &ndash July 9 1828 was an American painter from Rhode Island. ^[58]

Washington suffered from problems with his teeth throughout his life. He lost his first tooth when he was twenty-two and had only one left by the time he became President. ^[59] According to John Adams, he lost them because he used them to crack Brazil nuts, although modern historians suggest it was probably the mercury oxide he was given to treat illnesses such as smallpox and malaria. John Adams (October 30 1735 July 4 1826 was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. Mercury(II oxide, also called mercuric oxide, has a formula of Hg[[oxygen O]] and a formula weight of 216 Smallpox is an Infectious disease unique to humans caused by either of two virus variants named Variola major and Variola minor. Malaria is a vector -borne Infectious disease caused by Protozoan Parasites It is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions including ^[59] He had several sets of false teeth made, four of them by a dentist named John Greenwood. ^[59] Contrary to popular belief, none of the sets were made from wood. The set made when he became President was carved from hippopotamus and elephant ivory, held together with gold springs. ^[59][60] The hippo ivory was used for the plate, into which real human teeth and also bits of horses and donkeys teeth were inserted. ^[59] Dental problems left Washington in constant discomfort, for which he took laudanum, and this distress may be apparent in many of the portraits painted while he was still in office, including the one still used on the $1 bill. Laudanum (ˈlȯd-nəm or ˈlȯ-də-nəm also known as Opium Tincture or Tincture of Opium, is an Alcoholic herbal preparation ^[59]

One of the most enduring myths about George Washington involves him as a young boy chopping down his father's cherry tree and, when asked about it, using the famous line "I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet. " In fact, there is no evidence that this ever occurred. ^[61] It, along with the story of Washington throwing a silver dollar across the Potomac River, was part of a book of stories authored by Mason Weems that made Washington somewhat of a legendary figure. The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid- Atlantic coast of the United States. Mason Locke Weems ( October 11 1756 &ndash May 23 1825) generally known as Parson Weems, was an American printer

See also

• American Revolution
• Military career of George Washington
• Town Destroyer, a nickname given to Washington by the Iroquois
• Betty Washington, his sister

References: biographies

Further reading

Further information: George Washington bibliography

Notes

External links

• George Washington Biography from HistoryEmpire as well as gallery, quotes and speeches
• George Washington: A Life — first chapter of the biography by Willard Sterne Randall
• George Washington for Kids
• 39 Volume Collection of the Works of George Washington
• Library of Congress: Washington's Commission as Commander in Chief
• Extensive essay on George Washington and shorter essays on each member of his cabinet and First Lady from the Miller Center of Public Affairs
• The Washington Monument: Tribute in Stone, a National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) lesson plan
• Works by George Washington at Project Gutenberg
• George Washington historic sites in Virginia - Official Tourism Website
• Scientific American Magazine (February 2006 Issue) Putting a Face on the First President
• George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
• President's House in Philadelphia with first person accounts. Project Gutenberg, abbreviated as PG, is a volunteer effort to Digitize, archive and distribute Cultural works Washington's presidential years (1790-96) in Philadelphia when it was the national capital.
• George Washington Birthplace National Monument
• George Washington at Find A Grave
• 1982 interview with James Thomas Flexner on his research into George Washington's life by Don Swaim at Wired for Books. Find A Grave is a Website allowing its users to access maintain and expand an online Database of Burial records Don Swaim (born 1936 is an American journalist and broadcaster. Wired for Books is an online educational project of the WOUB Center for Public Media at Ohio University in Athens Ohio.
• The Winterthur Library Overview of an archival collection on George Washington.

Military offices
Preceded by Position created	Continental Army General and Commander In Chief June 15, 1775 - December 23, 1783	Succeeded by Maj. Prior to the institution of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1903 there was generally a single senior-most officer in the army Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history Year 1775 ( MDCCLXXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 1783 ( MDCCLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or Gen. Henry Knox (Senior Officer of the US Army)
Preceded by Brig. Henry Knox ( July 25, 1750 &ndash October 25, 1806) was an American Bookseller from Boston who became the chief James Wilkinson	Senior Officer of the United States Army July 13, 1798 - December 14, 1799	Succeeded by Maj. James Wilkinson ( 24 March, 1757 &ndash December 28, 1825) was a U Prior to the institution of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1903 there was generally a single senior-most officer in the army Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Year 1798 ( MDCCXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 1799 ( MDCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Gen. Alexander Hamilton
Political offices
Preceded by Position created (Cyrus Griffin as the President of the United States in Congress Assembled)	President of the United States April 30, 1789 - March 4, 1797	Succeeded by John Adams
Honorary titles
New title	Oldest U.S. President still living April 30, 1789 – December 14, 1799	Succeeded by John Adams

Persondata
NAME	Washington, George
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	1st President of the United States, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army
DATE OF BIRTH	February 22, 1732(1732-02-22)
PLACE OF BIRTH	Colonial Beach, Virginia, United States of America
DATE OF DEATH	December 14, 1799
PLACE OF DEATH	Mount Vernon (plantation), Mount Vernon, Virginia, United States of America

Cyrus Griffin (July 16 1749 December 14 1810 was the tenth and last President of the United States in Congress assembled under the Articles of Confederation The President of the Continental Congress was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress, the convention of delegates that emerged as the first national government The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Year 1789 ( MDCCLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 51 - Nero, later to become Roman Emperor, is given the title Princeps iuventutis (head of the youth Year 1797 ( MDCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common John Adams (October 30 1735 July 4 1826 was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. List of United States Presidents by ageThis is a chronology of who was the oldest living President of the United States, former or current at any given time Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Year 1789 ( MDCCLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 1799 ( MDCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a John Adams (October 30 1735 July 4 1826 was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1732 ( MDCCXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Colonial Beach is a town in Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 1799 ( MDCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a This is about the George Washington residence For other uses see Mount Vernon (disambiguation. Mount Vernon is a Census-designated place (CDP in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States.

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