George Washington

George Washington (February 22, 1732 [O.S.

February 11, 1731] – December 14, 1799) is the first President of the United States of America, serving from 1789 to 1797, and the dominant military and political leader of the United States from 1775 to 1799.

He leads the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presides over the writing of the Constitution in 1787.

Washington becomes the first president, by unanimous choice, and oversees the creation of a strong, well-financed national government that maintains neutrality in the wars raging in Europe, suppresses rebellion, and wins acceptance among Americans of all types.

His leadership style establishes many forms and rituals of government that have been used since, such as using a cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address.

Washington is universally regarded as the "Father of his country."

Washington was born into the provincial gentry of the Colonial Virginia slave society; his wealthy planter family owns tobacco plantations and slaves.

After both his father and older brother die when he is young, Washington becomes personally and professionally attached to the powerful William Fairfax, who promotes his career as a surveyor and soldier.

Washington quickly becomes a senior officer in the colonial forces during the first stages of the French and Indian War.

Chosen by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 to be commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolution, Washington manages to force the British out of Boston in 1776, but is defeated and almost captured later that year when he loses New York City.

After crossing the Delaware River in the dead of winter, he defeats the British in two battles, retakes New Jersey and restores momentum to the Patriot cause.

Because of his strategy, Revolutionary forces capture two major British armies at Saratoga in 1777 and Yorktown in 1781.

Historians laud Washington for his selection and supervision of his generals, encouragement of morale and ability to hold together the army, coordination with the state governors and state militia units, relations with Congress and attention to supplies, logistics, and training.

In battle, however, Washington is repeatedly outmaneuvered by British generals with larger armies.

After victory is finalized in 1783, Washington resigns rather than seize power, proving his opposition to dictatorship and his commitment to American republicanism.

Dissatisfied with the weaknesses of Articles of Confederation, in 1787 Washington presides over the Constitutional Convention that drafts the United States Constitution.

Elected as the first President of the United States in 1789, he attempts to bring rival factions together to unify the nation.

He supports Alexander Hamilton's programs to pay off all state and national debt, to implement an effective tax system and to create a national bank (despite opposition from Thomas Jefferson).

Washington proclaims the United States neutral in the wars raging in Europe after 1793.

He avoids war with Great Britain and guarantees a decade of peace and profitable trade by securing the Jay Treaty in 1795, despite intense opposition from the Jeffersonians.

Although never officially joining the Federalist Party, he supports its programs.

Washington has a vision of a great and powerful nation that would be built on republican lines using federal power.

He seeks to use the national government to preserve liberty, improve infrastructure, open the western lands, promote commerce, found a permanent capital, reduce regional tensions and promote a spirit of American nationalism.

Washington's "Farewell Address" is an influential primer on republican virtue and a warning against partisanship, sectionalism, and involvement in foreign wars.

He retires from the presidency in 1797 and returns to his home, Mount Vernon, and his domestic life where he manages a variety of enterprises.

He frees all his slaves by his final 1799 will.

At his death, Washington is hailed as "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen".

The Federalists make him the symbol of their party but for many years, the Jeffersonians continue to distrust his influence and delay building the Washington Monument.

As the leader of the first successful revolution against a colonial empire in world history, Washington becomes an international icon for liberation and nationalism, especially in France and Latin America.

He is consistently ranked among the top three presidents of the United States, according to polls of both scholars and the general public.

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