1789+-+1797+George+Washington

=George Washington= Simen Haraldsen

George Washington was born February 22, 1732 and he died December 14, 1799. He was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1797, leading the American victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary Was as commander in chief of the Continental Army, 1775–1783, and presiding over the writing of the Constitution in 1787. As the unanimous choice to serve as the first President of the United States (1789–1797), he developed the forms and rituals of government that have been used ever since, such as using a cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address. The president built a strong, well-financed national government that avoided war, suppressed rebellion and won acceptance among Americans of all types. Acclaimed ever since as the "Father of his country",

In Colonial Virginia Washington was born into the provincial gentry in a wealthy, well connected family that owned tobacco plantations using slave labor. Washington was home schooled by his father and older brother but both died young and Washington became attached to the powerful Fairfax clan. They promoted his career as surveyor and soldier. Strong, brave, eager for combat and a natural leader, young Washington quickly became a senior officer of the colonial forces. Washington's experience, his military bearing, his leadership of the Patriot cause in Virginia, and his political base in the largest colony made him the obvious choice of the Second Continental Congress in 1775 as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army to fight the British in the American Revolution. He forced the british out of Boston in 1776, but was defeated and nearly captured later that year when he lost New York City. After crossing the Delaware River in the dead of winter he defeated the Bristish in two battles and retaking New Jersey. Because of his strategy, Revolutionary forces captured the two major British armies at Saratoga in 1777 and Yorktown in 1781. Negotiating with Congress, governors, and French Allies, he held together a tenuous army and a fragile nation amid the threats of disintegration and invasion.

The death of his father during King George's War prevented Washington from crossing the Atlantic to receive an education at England's Appleby School, as his older brothers had done. He attended school in Fredericksburg until age 15. In 1753 the French and British empires both tried to expand into the "Ohio Country", especially the area near present-day Pittsburgh. Their conflict led to a world war 1756-63, called the French and Indian War in the colonies, and the Seven Year War in Europe. Washington was in the center of it.



Jone Foss : This is a very good text Simen! You have much great facts and its easy to read. Maybe check som of your words next time.