George Washington - The Best President?

George Washington was the first president of theGeorge Washington had retired from the military
United States and considered one of theand entered politics. He was a member of the
best.George Washington is a much-admiredVirginia legislature and a major critic of the British.
person in many respects. As the first president ofIn 1770, Washington began advocating forceful
the United States, he set the course upon whichresistance to British rule.In 1775, the colonies
the current three-branch system of federalformed a Continental Congress to address the
government is based. George Washington isconflict with the British. George Washington was
perhaps the one person who can most claim theelected Commander of all colonial forces. War had
title of Founding Father.George Washington wasalready broken out in Massachusetts. Washington
born on February 22, 1732 in Virginia. He was theand his troops soon joined and the British were
son of well off plantation owner and spent his youdefeated in Boston in 1776. By summer, however,
in relative comfort. During his youth, the Britishthe British has sent more troops and defeated
Empire ruled the 13 colonies. Despite what youthe colonial forces on numerous occasions.Facing
might assume, he was hardly a revolutionary andtotal defeat and a lack of money, George
his stated goal was to become an officer in theWashington did an amazing thing. He rallied his rag
British Army! Obviously, that goal never came totag colonial forces and paid their wages out of his
fruition.As George Washington grew intoown finances. By late December of 1776, the
adulthood, he became an expert surveyor of land.colonial forces were starting to turn the tide
He worked in what was then called the Americanagainst the British. After more victories in 1777,
West and purchased vast tracts of land withthe French offered their support. It took a few
other family members. He eventually owned overyears to arrive, but Washington was eventually
56 thousand acres.In 1752, George Washingtonable to completely defeat the British. In 1781, the
joined the Virginia militia. He quickly became anBritish surrendered much of the east coast. In
officer and played a pivotal part in the French and1783, a treaty was signed granting the colonies
Indian War. The French had moved into the Ohiotheir independence.On February 4, 1789, George
Valley, which aggravated the British to no end.Washington was elected the first President of the
Washington was given the task of telling theUnited States of America with John Adams as
French to leave the territory. When they refused,vice president. As the first president, he put in
Washington suggested a fort be built and hisplace many precedents and traditions including:1.
superiors agreed.As the fort was being built,Being referred to as Mr. President.2. Refused to
Washington was promoted to Lieutenant Colonelbe declared King.3. The creation of an inaugural
and given the task of defending it. Leading 159event and ball.4. Swearing on a bible when taking
men, he was victorious in minor skirmishes.the oath of president.5. Moving the capital to
Instead of being promoted to an officer position inWashington, D.C.6. Agreeing to the passage of the
the British Army, he was told no colonial couldBill of Rights.7. Proclaimed the neutrality of the
attain the position. Bitter, Washington resigned andUnited States in all international conflicts.In 1792,
the French turned the tide.Desperate to turn thePresident Washington ran for re-election and was
tide, the British Governor of Virginia reinstatedunopposed. He left office in March 1797. On
George Washington by appointing himDecember 14, 1799, he died of pneumonia on his
Commander of all the Colonial forces. Within threeVirginia plantation.Richard Monk is with - a site with
years, the French were defeated and Washingtonfacts about everything. Visit us to read more
was famous. He married Martha Curtis in 1959,about facts about George Washington.
but they never had any children.By the 1760s,