American History

    David McCulloughs (2005) book entitled 1776 takes a look at how great this year was in the annals of American history. Not only did this year signify the birth of a new nation, but it also witnessed the struggles that this nation went through in order to survive.
1. How important was the leadership sold of George Washington in keeping the colonial war effort alive during 1776
    George Washington, who would later on become the first President of the United States, had proven that he displayed exceptional leadership qualities which had served him well as military commander balanced by his experience as a manager of his plantation and being a civic leader from Virginia (McCullough, 2005).
    According to McCullough (2005), Washington demonstrated certain traits that made him a worthy leader that kept the war effort alive on the part of the colonists as they were struggling to defend and preserve their newly acquired independence.  He was a good listener, very willing to lend an ear to the counsel of others. He was humble in the sense that he handled failure well, never dwelling on it but rather learning his lessons.  This came to serve him well as commander of the Continental Army owing to his past military service with the British in the war against the French a decade ago.  He had his share of defeats at the hands of the British, but he learned from it and was able to turn things around to his advantage in future engagements.
    Best of all, he was considered by McCullough (2005) to be the greatest actor of the time long before Ronald Reagan. Washingtons  acting  skills were also vital in the sense that he had to put on a firm character and poise even in the most trying times or in the face of defeat.  Washington, realizing his role as a leader, cannot afford to be seen haggard or worried because it would infect his soldiers which was why he constantly had to maintain his poise and dignity at all times.  In addition, he exuded charisma that would draw people to him rather than repel them, and he had the attitude to go with his appearance and it paid off handsomely.  This was the impression he gave when he appeared before the Continental Congress in uniform to signify his readiness, and he was appointed head of the army right then and there (McCullough, 2005).
2. Of Washington s chief lieutenants which one was the most valuable and helpful and why    Of all the men who were chief lieutenants of Washington, only one had Washingtons confidence and it was a Frenchman named Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de LaFayette (as he was more well-known).  Even though he was a foreigner, he had proven to everyone, including Washington, that he was not another French  glory-seeker.   He exhibited passion and enthusiasm in his commitment to the cause of independence in many battles. He was hoping that his participation would persuade the French king Louis XVI to aid the colonists (McCullough, 2005).
    Another characteristic that made Lafayette valuable to Washington was his humility and unwavering loyalty to him. Aware of his privileged status, Washington was ashamed of showing Lafayette the appalling conditions of his camp, Lafayette said he came to learn and not to teach, underscoring he was ready to take on even the lowliest of positions just to fight. Because of this, Washington came to regard the young noblemanofficer more than just his aide, but as a son as well (McCullough, 2005).
    Lafayette had proven his dedication long enough to convince Washington that he was fit to command a division which was withheld because he was a foreigner.  When he was given a command, Lafayette had proven not only his loyalty to the cause of the revolution, but also his competence as a military commander when he gave them victories (McCullough, 2005).
    Lafayettes loyalty to Washington was unquestionable since the former regarded Washington like a father. Knowing that what the Continental Congress was doing was not proper, he even warned Washington of plans to replace him as commander of the force assigned to invade Canada and to protect his patron (McCullough, 2005).
    When the French finally sent forces to aid the colonists in their fight, Lafayette once again proved his usefulness in defusing situations where there was a lack of coordination between the French fleet and the people of Boston averting a riot. After leaving for France, Lafayette returned to America once again and took part in the closing campaigns of the war. After the war, Lafayette continued to work for closer relations with the newly formed United States of America. His efforts did not go unnoticed and he was made an honorary American citizen (McCullough, 2005).

3. Why did many Americans of the late-18th century believe that Divine Providence smiled upon them

     Manifest Destiny  was that 19th-century belief in the United States at the time that the American people were preordained by God to be a great nation. However, it was believed that this spiritual dimension goes way back during the early years of the United States even before the nation was not born yet.  It was said that Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, Common Sense, stated that the American people had the power to begin the world over again and that the birth of a new world was at hand.  The colonists at the time were mostly religious, god-fearing men, and they believed that there was a supreme being that led them to where they were ever since the day their forebears arrived on these shores of America, Divine Providence accompanied them here and continues to do so to this very day (McCullough, 2005).
    They likened themselves to the Hebrews of the Bible which they had read on how Abraham was commanded by God to raise his family in a land He promised to them, a land flowing with milk and honey. To the colonists, they saw themselves as the successors to these Hebrews. God had led them to their Promised Land and thus (as Paine had already emphasized) gave them the power to restart the world and make it the way they so desire. They believed nothing on earth could take that away from them, not even the British crown which was threatening to curtail or deprive them of their power. They believed, especially the Founding Fathers, that it was Divine Providence that guided their actions which resulted in the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence.  This was further underscored when they sought the protection and support of the Divine Providence, highlighting their fervent devotion to God and that everything was done according to His will, not their own, and the year 1776 was the time given to them to exercise these God-given powers to exercises their rights and their will and history showed they were right (McCullough, 2005).
    In conclusion, the year 1776 and beyond signaled a new chapter in the history of the New World. It showed that after centuries of living in relative peace and enjoying freedoms they had never enjoyed before, the colonists were determined not to have these freedoms taken away from them, and they were willing to fight for them. Above all, they believed God was on their side, and although it took them long to secure their freedom, their faith in God saw them through and they eventually prevailed (McCullough, 2005).