George Washington

Gilbert Stuart Williamstown Portrait of George Washington

George Washington was born on 22 February, 1732. He served as the first constitutional President of the United States from 1789 to 1797, and as the commander of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783. His role in the revolution and subsequent independence and formation of the United States was significant. That is why Washington is called “Father of his country”.

Washington was probably the most revered of the U.S. presidents. A member of the economic and political elite of the English mainland colonies, he exhibited many of the moral qualities of this colonial elite: he was not personally ambitious and he had a strong sense of duty. Washington’s greatest contribution to the nation was simply the fact that a large portion of the U.S. population trusted him.

George Washington always pursued two interests: military arts and western expansion. At the age of 16 he helped survey Shenandoah lands for Thomas, Lord Fairfax. Commissioned a lieutenant colonel in 1754, he fought the first skirmishes of what grew into the French and Indian War. The next year he was an aide to Edward Braddock.

Married to a widow, Martha Dandridge Custis, Washington devoted himself to a busy and happy life. But like his fellow planters, he felt himself exploited by British merchants and hampered by British regulations. As the quarrel grew, he voiced his resistance to the restrictions. In 1775 Washington was elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army and on July 3 he took command of his ill-trained troops and embarked upon a war that was to last six years. In 1781 George with the aid of French allies forced the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.

George Washington was elected the President after the new Constitution was ratified in Philadelphia. His presidency lasted till 1797 when he retired and went to his estate at Mount Vernon. Washington died of a throat infection on 14 December, 1799. The Nation mourned him for months.

1. When was George Washington born?

2. Who was George Washington?

3. How was George Washington called? Why?

4. What was Washington greatest contribution?

5. What two interests did he pursue?

6. What did he do at the age of 16?

7. Who did he marry?

8. When was Washington elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army?

9. When did his presidency last?

10. Who mourned him for months?

Дата добавления: 2015-04-25