George Washington the Great President of America
George Washington was born in 1732 in the state of Virginia. He was a fourth-generation American, his great-grandfather was an English adventurer. Washingtons grandfather and father were tobacco farmers. Washington grew up on a farm and was adept at horse-riding even as a young boy. He may have gone to a school in a neighboring town, but he studied more under a personal tutor. Math was a subject he liked, and this could explain his disposition to become a surveyor later on. He could have gone to England for higher studies just like two of his half-brothers, but owing to the death of his father his studies had to be terminated (Calkhoven, 8). At the early age of fourteen, he decided to begin his working career by joining in the British Navy. Though America was a colony of Britain, the friction and animosity between the two nations did not develop yet. However, since his mother forbade him to take to the seas Washington became a surveyor, mapping and measuring vast uncharted territories of Virginia.
Subsequently he joined the state militia and fought on the side of the British against the French in the French and Indian War (1754-1763). Washingtons long experience in the wilderness and in the war helped him develop his character and outlook. To lead the disorganized and untrained men of the Continental Army to victory against a mighty empire was no easy task, but Washington was up to it because of the favorable conditioning he received when he was fighting as the commander of Virginia militia. By the time he was about to take up the first of the two jobs that would make him a living legend in his own times, he was grounded in the concept of Western expansion and was thoroughly familiar with various military arts.
After participating in the war, Washington returned to his lands at Mount Vernon, married, and led the peaceful life of a well-established planter, during the 1760s. But Americans were feeling increasingly frustrated about British policies and regulations toward them. There was a growing movement of resistance to the mother country, and Washington too made his voice heard. He was not a great orator or a political firebrand, yet he had considerable influence on his fellow countrymen by virtue of his strong character and presence of mind.
In May 1775, he went as one of the Virginia delegates to the Second Continental Congress that was held in Philadelphia. Although he did not speak much at the Congress and did not stand out prominently among other members of the conference, something about his leader-like bearing and manner made him particularly appreciated by many people present there. Very unexpectedly, he was elected as the Commander in Chief for the Continental Army. It would seem like Washingtons destiny came searching for him. A month later, he would assume his command at Cambridge, Massachusetts (Warren, Jr). The soldiers he commanded were not professional soldiers and had very minimal military training. The army was in great shortage of weapons and resources. In addition, smallpox raged among the soldiers and took a great toll during the first year itself. The war would last for six years, during which time most of the great qualities and skills Washington had would be put to test. Through the long years of the conflict, Washington proved himself to be a very capable commander who was shrewd and practical above all. In 1783, America won independence from Britain.
After triumphantly commanding many battles and leading America to final victory, Washington promptly resigned himself to a life of peace and quiet with his family at his Mount Vernon homestead. He did not want to participate in the national affairs because he was confident that there were enough capable men who would look after them. But the infant nation could not do without Washington. Washingtons self-imposed retirement would last only for a brief period.
Washington kept himself in touch with the hectic proceedings that were going on the path toward state formation, and he was rather disappointed at the course of the events. Desiring the creation of a strong constitution, Washington traveled to Philadelphia in 1787, and he was elected to preside over the Constitutional Convention. Once again, he spoke very little but saw to it that the proceedings went on as smoothly as possible and clashes among various speakers were quickly resolved. Subsequently he worked hard to muster support for the new constitution which faced considerable opposition. After the constitution was ratified, Washington considered his work to be over and wanted to go back to his farm (Jones, 103). It was not to be. Washington was unanimously elected as the first President of the country, and remains the only President in American history to be elected unanimously. People could simply find no alternative to him.
Washington became the President on April 30, 1789. John Adams was the Vice-President. Washington was offered a large sum as salary, which at first he declined. But he realized very soon that whatever he would do now would set a precedent. As he was wealthy enough he could do without a salary, but the other presidents who would follow him may not be in the same position. He certainly did not want only wealthy individuals to contest for presidency. Hence he accepted the money. Washington was acutely aware of the importance of his actions in setting precedent and example.
A few years before Washington became the President, he already made a decision of crucial importance which would fundamentally determine the future course of politics in America. Just after the American victory against the British, a strong sentiment prevailed in the soldiers of the American army that the country needed a strong and decisive leader to handle the confusion and the chaos of the times. People doubted whether it was wise to experiment with democracy under such conditions. It was seriously proposed to Washington that he should consider becoming the king of America. He strongly rejected the proposal and even expressed his dismay that such thoughts were entertained in his army (Millerceter.org). Once in office, he took every care to see that the pomp and ceremony attached to his office was minimized and did not reflect that of the European royal courts. He preferred to be addressed simply as Mr. President.
Although he had no previous experience whatsoever in carrying out the duties of civil administration, he soon proved himself to be an able administrator. His style of management was marked by fairness and integrity. Washington was setting standards of exercising authority and administering justice for the future presidents to follow, but these standards were so high that in the history of America they were met only very rarely. Washington was not a very learned and knowledgeable man, as most of the other Founding Fathers were. He was not a philosopher or even a great writer or a speaker. Except for his remarkable achievements during American War of Independence, he was a man from a humble background. Yet the thing that most amazed his colleagues and contemporaries was his unyielding integrity of character and his great ability to deal with people.
Washington was very keen to establish a strong economic foundation for the country. He approved many programs proposed by Alexander Hamilton. By the time he left his office, Washington managed to put a strong and thriving economy in place. Washington was committed to westward expansion, but there were still some obstacles to integrate America from coast to coast. As Hamiltons proposals and reforms were opposed by Thomas Jefferson and others, there emerged a clear bifurcation in the administration, Washington regretted this. He himself was a non-partisan and kept trying his best to patch up the differences among the people (Warren, Jr.).
Washington quelled the so-called Whiskey Rebellion when there raged riots in protest of some new taxes imposed on liquor. He showed that he could resort to forceful action when there was a need to do so. However, he was soft and gentle most of the time. Washington was in the habit of extensively touring Northern and Southern states to take a look at the state of affairs in various regions personally. By the end of a very successful first term, Washington wanted to quit, but he was not allowed to. During his second term, he took a major decision not to involve America in any kind of European wars, though France very much wanted the help of the United States. This decision by Washington would be later very much hailed by historians as it tremendously boosted the prospects of peace and progress for America.
By the end of his presidency Washington accomplished much, but he was always saddened by the growing rift between the members of his administration, which would in the decades to come lead to the standard American two-party system. He very much refused to do a third term, and quietly settled in the countryside for the remainder of his life.
George Washingtons greatness is acknowledged by one and all. His personality and achievements as the commander of the Continental Army and later as the President of the United States have provided inspiration for generations of Americans and continue to do so. In their tribute to him, the Time Magazine once said,
More than all the other Presidents, George Washington has marched through our centuries untouched by critics, growing larger under the baleful eye of history. An uncommon man made from common parts remains our grand legacy and our hope in this moment of bewilderment in our third century.
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