George Washington's Major Contributions

C. Shoshany 11x

History December 11, 2007

George Washington’s Major Contributions

George Washington, the father of our country, is one of the most well known figures in American History. As a military general, and then later as the President of the United States, he possessed many qualities that made him such a great man. His leadership abilities can be seen in his many accomplishments and contributions.

He began his military career in 1752, when he joined the British army and served as a lieutenant in the French and Indian War. Two years later, George Washington built Fort Necessity to defend his forces from French soldiers. George was appointed to be the colonel of the Virginia regiment in 1755.

After being a lieutenant and colonel, George decided to change his life and become more political. In 1758, he was elected to the House of Burgesses in Virginia and ended up serving it for 17 years. In 1774 he was elected as Virginia Delegate to the First Continental Congress and then to the Second Continental Congress in 1775.

Once George Washington finished his first political stage in his life, he became leader of the Continental Army in 1775. During the year 1776, George and his troops had a successful victory over the British Army. George was very good strategist and using his skills, he outsmarted General Cornwallis at the battle of Princeton. Finally after six years, George Washington was able to end the American Revolution with his defeat of the British at Yorktown in 1778.

Besides being politically active and serving in the military, George had a great sense of leadership. He was dedicated to the people that he worked with, and as general, he fought alongside his men. In 1776, George promised his troops a cash bonus at the end of their army service and because of this, he was able to attract and recruit many other soldiers to join the army. George also created the “Purple Heart” which was a badge honoring military merit. George Washington possessed excellent skills, an outgoing personality and advanced leadership abilities which helped him to accomplish so many achievements in his lifetime.

Bibliography: www.history.com

George Washington's Family Life

C. Shoshany 11x

History December 4, 2007

Family Life of George Washington

George Washington was one of the most important figures in American history. Often referred to as the "father of liberty and freedom," George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. He was born in Westmoreland, Virginia and was the son of Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. Known facts about his childhood prove that George was a hardworking and dedicated person. Through his lifetime he accomplished so much as both a General and later as the first President of the United States.

George was a part of a large family with many siblings, five brothers and one sister. The names of his brothers were Augustine, Lawrence, Samuel, John Augustine and Charles; George’s sister was named Betty. George’s father, Augustine, had been previously married so in addition, George had two half-brothers from that marriage. His grandfather was named Lawrence Washington. George was tall and strong as a child and he received a pony from his father as a gift and learned how to ride. At school, George was taught by a minister how to read, write, and do sums; however George had a difficult time with spelling. George’s father died when he was only eleven years old, so his half-brother Lawrence taught him how to hunt and shoot. At age sixteen George became a surveyor, and surveyed the land to the west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

George Washington married Martha Curtis, who already had two young children, Patsy and Jackie, from a previous marriage. They lived on a plantation called Mt. Vernon, which became his lifetime home. George and Martha then adopted two other children. George was considered a gentleman farmer because he preferred the quiet plantation life over the political life. Over the course of his lifetime, George increased the size of the Mt. Vernon plantation from 2000 acres to 8000 acres, and changed the original tobacco crop to wheat. George Washington died at age sixty seven on December 14, 1799, after living a life full of achievements.

Bibliography:

http://www.clements.umich.edu/Exhibits/g.washington/case.05/case05.html

http://www.indianchild.com/george_washingtonhtm

http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/project/faq/index.html

www.history.com