George Washington

Examples of George Washington in the following topics:

• The American Military Forces

  • The Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army in June 1775 and elected George Washington as Commander-in-Chief.
  • On June 15, 1775, George Washington was elected as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.
  • Washington was never financially compensated for his service as Army Commander.
  • Popular support for the war was at an all-time low, and Washington had to put down mutinies both in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Lines.
  • George Washington served as commander-in-chief for the duration of the Revolutionary War without compensation.

• Calls for a Stronger Constitution

  • On March 25–28, 1785, delegates from Virginia and Maryland met at George Washington's estate in Mount Vernon, Virginia.
  • Thomas Jenifer, and Thomas Stone of Maryland; and Alexander Henderson and George Mason of Virginia.
  • While serving as George Washington's top aide, Alexander Hamilton also realized that a strong central government was necessary for avoiding foreign intervention and alleviating the frustrations caused by an ineffectual Congress.

• The Revolutionary Army at Valley Forge

  • General George Washington and his army made camp at Valley Forge from December 1777 to June 1778 to protect Pennsylvania from the British.
  • Following the Battle of White Marsh, the last major engagement of 1777, General George Washington's troops moved to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 25 miles northwest of Philadelphia, to wait out the winter.
  • Anti-Washington movements arose and a few soldiers even advocated replacing Washington with General Horatio Gates, following his success at the Battles of Saratoga.
  • Led by Brigadier General Thomas Conway, and referred to as the Conway Cabal, this group of soldiers worked behind the scenes to replace Washington with Gates, damaging Washington’s political cache.
  • Washington's troops endured harsh conditions at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78.

• Washington's Farewell

  • In his 1796 Farewell Address to the American people, Washington gave his final thoughts on foreign policy, trade, and national unions.
  • George Washington, who had been reelected in 1792 by an overwhelming majority, refused to run for a third term, thus setting a precedent for future presidents.
  • Washington's Farewell Address became a classic statement of republican principles (such as education and religion) and public morality.
  • Furthermore, Washington warned Americans of the political dangers they should avoid in order to remain true to their values.
  • Perhaps the most seminal piece of advice in Washington's Farewell Address was one that dealt with foreign policy.

• Quebec, New York, and New Jersey

  • In the summer of 1776, General William Howe and 30,000 British troops attacked and defeated General George Washington's Continental forces in the Battle of Long Island.
  • Washington skillfully managed a narrow escape, retreating across the East River to Manhattan Island.
  • In mid-December, Washington planned a two-pronged attack on an outpost in Trenton, including a third diversionary attack in Bordentown.
  • That night, Washington stealthily moved his troops again, intending to attack the garrison Cornwallis left at Princeton.
  • General George Washington rallying his troops at the Battle of Princeton, by William Ranney, 1848

• Conclusion: The Fight for Independence

  • King George III’s hostility weakened many colonists’ attachment to Great Britain and ultimately strengthened the movement for independence.
  • The Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army in June 1775 and elected George Washington as its commander-in-chief.
  • General George Washington and his army made camp at Valley Forge from December 1777 to June 1778 to protect Pennsylvania from the British.
  • Washington petitioned Congress for supplies and provisions, but received no support.
  • After two days of negotiations, Cornwallis surrendered his forces to Washington and Rochambeau.

• Washington's Escape from New York

  • Although Howe was successful in driving Washington out of New York City, he was unsuccessful in taking New Jersey.
  • A series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey between British forces under General William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington occurred in 1776 and the winter months of 1777.
  • Four days later, Fort Lee, across the Hudson River from Fort Washington, was also taken.
  • Washington sent troops and reinforcement to Princeton, successfully driving the British from the city.
  • Washington entered winter quarters at Morristown, having retaken most of the state from the British.

• Dolley Madison and Washington City

  • Dolley Madison played a major role in establishing the nation's newly created capital city, Washington D.C.
  • As the invading British army neared Washington in 1814 during the war, Dolley Madison ordered the Stuart painting of George Washington to be removed, as the White House staff hurriedly prepared to flee.
  • They sailed to the Washington area and landed at Benedict, Maryland on August 19.
  • "A dozen descendants of Jennings came to Washington, to visit the White House.
  • The United States Capitol after the burning of Washington, D.C. in the War of 1812.

• Citizen Gênet Affair

  • Genêt commissioned four privateering ships (the Republicaine, the Anti-George, the Sans-Culotte, and the Citizen Genêt) and organized American volunteers to fight Britain's Spanish allies in Florida.
  • After raising this militia, Genêt traveled to Philadelphia to meet Washington and formally request an official suspension of Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality.
  • Washington sent Genêt an 8,000-word letter of complaint on Jefferson and Hamilton's recommendation.
  • Genêt, knowing that he would likely be sent to the guillotine, asked Washington for asylum.
  • Edmond-Charles Genêt came dangerously close to violating President Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality.

• The War in the Chesapeake

  • Starting in March of 1813, a squadron under British Rear Admiral George Cockburn started a blockade and raided towns along the bay from Norfolk to Havre de Grace.
  • Governor-in-Chief of British North America Sir George Prevost had written to the admirals in Bermuda, calling for retaliation for destructive American raids into Canada, most notably the Americans' burning of York in 1813.
  • The British left Washington, D.C. as soon as the storm subsided.
  • The successful British raid on Washington, D.C., dented American morale and prestige.
  • Describe the burning of Washington, D.C. and the subsequent battles of Baltimore and Fort McHenry