George Washington - The Best President?

George Washington was the first president of the1760s, George Washington had retired from the
United States and considered one of the best.Georgemilitary and entered politics. He was a member of the
Washington is a much-admired person in manyVirginia legislature and a major critic of the British. In
respects. As the first president of the United States,1770, Washington began advocating forceful
he set the course upon which the currentresistance to British rule.In 1775, the colonies formed
three-branch system of federal government is based.a Continental Congress to address the conflict with
George Washington is perhaps the one person whothe British. George Washington was elected
can most claim the title of Founding Father.GeorgeCommander of all colonial forces. War had already
Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Virginia.broken out in Massachusetts. Washington and his
He was the son of well off plantation owner andtroops soon joined and the British were defeated in
spent his you in relative comfort. During his youth,Boston in 1776. By summer, however, the British has
the British Empire ruled the 13 colonies. Despite whatsent more troops and defeated the colonial forces
you might assume, he was hardly a revolutionary andon numerous occasions.Facing total defeat and a lack
his stated goal was to become an officer in theof money, George Washington did an amazing thing.
British Army! Obviously, that goal never came toHe rallied his rag tag colonial forces and paid their
fruition.As George Washington grew into adulthood,wages out of his own finances. By late December of
he became an expert surveyor of land. He worked in1776, the colonial forces were starting to turn the
what was then called the American West andtide against the British. After more victories in 1777,
purchased vast tracts of land with other familythe French offered their support. It took a few
members. He eventually owned over 56 thousandyears to arrive, but Washington was eventually able
acres.In 1752, George Washington joined the Virginiato completely defeat the British. In 1781, the British
militia. He quickly became an officer and played asurrendered much of the east coast. In 1783, a
pivotal part in the French and Indian War. The Frenchtreaty was signed granting the colonies their
had moved into the Ohio Valley, which aggravatedindependence.On February 4, 1789, George
the British to no end. Washington was given the taskWashington was elected the first President of the
of telling the French to leave the territory. WhenUnited States of America with John Adams as vice
they refused, Washington suggested a fort be builtpresident. As the first president, he put in place many
and his superiors agreed.As the fort was being built,precedents and traditions including:1. Being referred to
Washington was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel andas Mr. President.2. Refused to be declared King.3. The
given the task of defending it. Leading 159 men, hecreation of an inaugural event and ball.4. Swearing on
was victorious in minor skirmishes. Instead of beinga bible when taking the oath of president.5. Moving
promoted to an officer position in the British Army,the capital to Washington, D.C.6. Agreeing to the
he was told no colonial could attain the position.passage of the Bill of Rights.7. Proclaimed the
Bitter, Washington resigned and the French turnedneutrality of the United States in all international
the tide.Desperate to turn the tide, the Britishconflicts.In 1792, President Washington ran for
Governor of Virginia reinstated George Washingtonre-election and was unopposed. He left office in
by appointing him Commander of all the ColonialMarch 1797. On December 14, 1799, he died of
forces. Within three years, the French were defeatedpneumonia on his Virginia plantation.Richard Monk is
and Washington was famous. He married Marthawith - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to
Curtis in 1959, but they never had any children.By theread more about facts about George Washington.