Looking through the years that the United States has been around the improvement of the country has been greatly positive. Through the troubles, wars, and depressions the leadership qualities of one major individual had the greatest influence on the country. The way that George Washington led the country was a major influence on American History. Through his years as general against the British, to leading the country to victory at Yorktown, to his terms as president, Washington led the country and made a major influenced influence on the modern day government. When fighting began between Massachusetts and the British in 1775, Congress named Washington commander of their new Continental army, in hope that it would lead to a confederation …show more content…
19, 1781. (Siege of Yorktown). Without Washington’s leadership qualities at Yorktown, there is no way of knowing how the battle would have ended. Washington was not even planning on attacking Cornwallis at Yorktown until he learned that Adm. de Grasse was sailing for the Chesapeake with 29 warships. (Siege of Yorktown). If Washington would not have made the decision of attacking Cornwallis, the 29 ships headed for Chesapeake could have caused more damage to the colonies and would have probably even changed the outcome of the war. Washington gained victory at Yorktown by leading his troops through the widely scattered forces. The Battle of Yorktown is considered one of the most powerful military executions in history. (Siege of Yorktown). With Washington leading the troops they ended up executing the attack perfectly and resulted in the end of the war. Without Washington leading the troops, the battle at Yorktown could have easily had a different outcome. Because Washington pulled such a great execution at Yorktown he ended up influencing the country and government that we have today. “People knew that Washington was a great leader. So, he was elected as the first president of the United States.” (George Washington). Since Washington led America to victory against the British, there was no other logical option for president. Washington believed that in order for the country to be powerful there had to be distributed power. Washington did not believe that all power was to be given to one person so he created a “cabinet” to help him. (George Washington). Washington understood that they just fought a war because of one leader controlling everything. To prevent it he decided to make a “Cabinet” in order to also have control of the government. “People
In the book of His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis, the author introduces Washington, the Father of the United States, in a fresh portrait focused on the characters of Washington. This book is an impressive biography of Washington's remarkable dedication to the United States history. According to the author, George Washington is an omnipresent figure as he was growing up, described as the man in the moon who was aloof and silent. This book focuses on Washington's wartime service which became some of his major contributions to the United States, rather than merely telling the true story of Washington, its main thesis is focusing on analyzing his contributions and how his governorship had affected the American history. Washington's life is divided into three areas in this book.
George Washington plays a very important part in the American Revolution. Throughout the Revolutionary war, he was ordered by Congress to be the commander in chief of the Continental Army. Washington had little experience in leading such a big army. Although he actually showed that he was actually able to control and lead the Continental Army. George Washington and his army won battles like the Battle of Yorktown in 1781 and the Battle of Trenton in 1776.
I believe that George Washington was the most influential president of the first five presidents. George Washington's presidency was the most influential because he was the one who laid down the rules and boundaries for the future presidents, helped to establish a new form of government that gave the power to the people, and helped the colonies to win the Revolutionary War by defeating Lord Cornwallis during the Battle of Yorktown. John Quincy Adams once said; “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." George Washington inspired the people of the United States to become more than colonists, but to become patriots that would fight for their rights and the rights of others.
The nation was just starting out at the time, and he had to choose which actions would be best for both the current time and the future. He had to set an example through wars, rebellions, and treaties, preserving our country along with his own opinions. I know one of George Washington’s greater achievements was during the Whiskey Rebellion. He was the first man to send his own army after U.S. citizens at this time. The farmers were killing tax collectors in protest of the whiskey taxes, and George Washington believed it wasn’t an appropriate method of protest.
He did not seek fame and fortune. On the contrary, he sought a "more perfect union." George Washington was an exemplar for future presidents. His successors encompass several qualities that make a good
Washington was a thorough disciplinarian and emphasized a lot on training. He charged with his troops against Indians in the west and in a time span of just ten months his troop had fought twenty battles and lost a third of the men, as put by Ellis “it was his unqualified success” in the war (Ellis p.38). Though Washington never got commissioned in British Army yet he had closely observed British military tactics this led him to gain keen insights into military strategy and strengths and weaknesses of the British Army and this proved as a decisive and invaluable resource during the Revolution. Washington was tough, courageous and had a commanding presence which made him appear to be a natural leader to the troops and they followed him without any questions (Ellis p.
Hamilton wanted to help the British, while Jefferson wanted to help the French. So if Washington decided to help either county it would have resulted in outrage. Therefore he thought it would be best to stay neutral in this European conflict. Another example of Washington's success as president in source D, the video talks about the actions Wahsington took at the end of his political career to set up future presidents for success. One of his tips was, “ political parties are bad”.
presidency, George Washington was able to lead soldiers in the Revolutionary War to gain the nation’s independence from Great Britain, despite having to face various challenges along the way. Washington, whom had no military experience, “was made commander of the Virginia militia” during the French and Indian War (History.com Staff). Washington was trusted amongst his commanding officers and it shows how he had various qualities that exhibited good leadership. Washington was put as commander-in-chief in the Revolutionary War and encountering distinct obstacles along the way, Washington’s hard work and efforts prove him “…to be a better general than military strategist” having endured a lack of “food ammunition and other supplies”(History.com Staff). Washington gained much experience from his role as the commander during the French and Indian War.
With a surprise attack, the Hessians wouldn’t even have time to form their famous formations. George Washington carefully thought out this plan, portraying the leadership quality known as intelligence and this carefully planned decision/attack makes George Washington a risk-taker. Despite the fatigue and the winter weather, Washington is able to lift his weary soldiers' spirits, enabling the army to cross the river on the night of December 25–26, 1776. The crossing is done in one night, allowing the troops to attack Trenton at eight o' clock on December 26, 1776, and obtain victory by capturing the Hessians. Because the battle was won under the command of George Washington, morale increased significantly.
General George Washington had a major impact in the American Revolution. Washington was one of the main generals in the war. He knew that the only way to get rid of the British was to fight them. He made the colonists fight, by giving them reasons like freedom, no taxes, and no more control, etc. Sadly Washington 's troops were poorly trained, and lacked food and supplies, but his motivation kept them going.
Washington most likely wouldn’t have won the battle without Espionage. Espionage (spying) during the Revolutionary War was important because they used the Culper Spy Ring, both sides used it, and there are a lot of famous spies. In the Revolutionary War, they had spies that used the Culper Spy Ring. The ring was used for sending private messages to Washington about the British army.
He was the person who shielded Boston and New York City, demonstrating American quality to the British Army. In 1781 he George Washington made the Cornwallis ' armed force surrender. He hearts dependably remained with his nation regardless of the amount he cherished his home and family. I trust that one of the best characteristics about George Washington and something that numerous Americans respect him for is the way that he could think quick on his feet, and remain quiet in intense circumstances. He was as a rule where he needed to do the situation and it was settling on a choice about the law, attempting to settle one of Jefferson and Hamilton 's contradictions, or ever making the decision to free his slaves.
George Washington was a great leader. He was very humbled and had a very big heart. He truly cared for every single one of his soldiers. The way he carried himself gave confidence to his troops. In 1775, he was named commander in chief of the Continental Army in the American uprising.
He returned to his home in Mt. Vernon. In 1789 a new government had been made and washington was unanimously picked as the first president. During his first term Washington had decided he wanted to pick men from all areas to be in his cabinet. Two important men had picked where Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson was made the Secretary of State and Hamilton was made Secretary of Treasure.
Washington sometimes didn’t know how to handle things and was embarrassed or awkward about some situations (“Biography of George Washington”). He struggled with knowing how to act like a president because there was no precedent for his office in a world of full kings which left Washington to figure out how to act like a president (“Biography of George Washington”). Washington also faced a challenge on how to manage a quarrelsome cabinet, he had to solicit each person's opinion and consider his options in order to make a decision (“Biography of George Washington”). He also faced the challenge of how to develop a presidential style, people thought that if the president would make something bad happen, the government would be swallowed up, which meant he has to make sure he was going to do things right (“Biography of George Washington”). Washington was always aware that religious beliefs were a fundamental part of the lives of his peers and his soldiers (“George Washington and Religion”).