1. #1 George Washington 1789-1791

2. “The Father of Our Country”

3. Background  George Washington was born to an established, if not “elite” family in Virginia, on February 22, 1732. The family had been prospering in Virginia since the mid-1600’s.  His father, Augustine,was a planter, sheriff, and exporter. He died when George was 11.  Augustine had four children with his first wife, Jane Butler. She died when she was 28.  George Washington was born to an established, if not “elite” family in Virginia, on February 22, 1732. The family had been prospering in Virginia since the mid-1600’s.  His father, Augustine,was a planter, sheriff, and exporter. He died when George was 11.  Augustine had four children with his first wife, Jane Butler. She died when she was 28.

4. Background Continued  In 1731, Augustine married his second wife, Mary, who was George’s mother.  George was the first of his parent’s six children.  Including half-siblings, George had six brothers, and three sisters.  In 1731, Augustine married his second wife, Mary, who was George’s mother.  George was the first of his parent’s six children.  Including half-siblings, George had six brothers, and three sisters.

5. Early Life  George’s father dies when he was only eleven.  George was left to live with his mother, and their relationship was rocky.  He rebelled against her and spent much time living with his older siblings, especially his oldest brother Lawrence.  Lawrence had inherited most of his father’s fortune, was educated, and had married into a wealthy family. He was the most influential person in young George’s life.  George’s father dies when he was only eleven.  George was left to live with his mother, and their relationship was rocky.  He rebelled against her and spent much time living with his older siblings, especially his oldest brother Lawrence.  Lawrence had inherited most of his father’s fortune, was educated, and had married into a wealthy family. He was the most influential person in young George’s life.

6. Coming of Age  George gained an entrance into aristocratic circles through his brother.  He learned to the social graces of this class, how to dance, how to play cards, how to ride horses, how to dress, and how to flirt (he had trouble in this area though, and was thought to be overly romantic). In short, how to be a Virginia Gentleman.  George went on a long surveying trip in the wilderness when he was only 16. He loved it and became a licensed surveyor that year.  George gained an entrance into aristocratic circles through his brother.  He learned to the social graces of this class, how to dance, how to play cards, how to ride horses, how to dress, and how to flirt (he had trouble in this area though, and was thought to be overly romantic). In short, how to be a Virginia Gentleman.  George went on a long surveying trip in the wilderness when he was only 16. He loved it and became a licensed surveyor that year.

7. Coming of Age Continued  George worked as a surveyor for the next few years.  In 1751 Lawrence contracted tuberculosis, and in attempt to help the condition, he and George traveled to Barbados, for the climate. There George contracted smallpox, which scarred his face permanently.  Lawrence died of his disease when they returned in 1752.  George inherited Mt. Vernon as a result.  George worked as a surveyor for the next few years.  In 1751 Lawrence contracted tuberculosis, and in attempt to help the condition, he and George traveled to Barbados, for the climate. There George contracted smallpox, which scarred his face permanently.  Lawrence died of his disease when they returned in 1752.  George inherited Mt. Vernon as a result.

8. Early Military Career  In 1752 George was appointed to the Virginia Militia.  During the French and Indian War, George had a mixed record.  In 1754 George led a force of militia into the wilderness where they were soundly defeated by the French at Fort Necessity. This was in part due to Washington’s poor tactics and choice for a place to fortify.  In 1752 George was appointed to the Virginia Militia.  During the French and Indian War, George had a mixed record.  In 1754 George led a force of militia into the wilderness where they were soundly defeated by the French at Fort Necessity. This was in part due to Washington’s poor tactics and choice for a place to fortify.

9. Young Washington

10. Early Military Career Continued  George next saw combat in 1755, when his militia and over a thousand British troops were defeated by the French and Indians near Fort Duquesne.  In 1755 George was selected as a colonel of Virginia Militia. He defended the frontier against attack in able fashion.  In 1758 he successfully attacked Fort Duquesne.  Throughout the war George earned a reputation for bravery and courage.  George next saw combat in 1755, when his militia and over a thousand British troops were defeated by the French and Indians near Fort Duquesne.  In 1755 George was selected as a colonel of Virginia Militia. He defended the frontier against attack in able fashion.  In 1758 he successfully attacked Fort Duquesne.  Throughout the war George earned a reputation for bravery and courage.

11. Marriage  In 1759, George was married to Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy widow of Daniel Parke Custis. Martha inherited from her first husband an estate of more than 17,000 acres, two mansions, a large some of cash, and over one hundred slaves.  Their marriage seemed to be a reasonably happy one.  George had no children of his own, but was the step father of Martha’s children and the guardian of his step grandchildren.  In 1759, George was married to Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy widow of Daniel Parke Custis. Martha inherited from her first husband an estate of more than 17,000 acres, two mansions, a large some of cash, and over one hundred slaves.  Their marriage seemed to be a reasonably happy one.  George had no children of his own, but was the step father of Martha’s children and the guardian of his step grandchildren.

12. Martha Washington

13. Washington’s Family

14. Virginia Planter at Mt. Vernon  George resigned from the militia in 1758, and settled down at Mt. Vernon.  Originally a tobacco plantation with some fisheries, George turned Mt. Vernon into a wheat farm. He built a large mill there, grew buckwheat, alfalfa, hemp, increased his fishing operations, and brewed beer and distilled whiskey. He also had a spinning business, and raised horses.  George was an extremely wealthy man.  George resigned from the militia in 1758, and settled down at Mt. Vernon.  Originally a tobacco plantation with some fisheries, George turned Mt. Vernon into a wheat farm. He built a large mill there, grew buckwheat, alfalfa, hemp, increased his fishing operations, and brewed beer and distilled whiskey. He also had a spinning business, and raised horses.  George was an extremely wealthy man.

15. Mt. Vernon

16. Political Career  Elected to Virginia House of Burgesses in 1758.  Justice of the peace in Fairfax county, 1770.  Delegate at the Williamsburg Convention in 1773.  First Virginia Provincial Convention 1774.  Elected to Virginia House of Burgesses in 1758.  Justice of the peace in Fairfax county, 1770.  Delegate at the Williamsburg Convention in 1773.  First Virginia Provincial Convention 1774.

17. Political Career Continued  Elected delegate to First Continental Congress in 1774.  Elected delegate to Second Continental Congress in 1775.  Continental Congress elected Washington as General and Commander in Chief of the Continental Army June 15, 1775.  Elected delegate to First Continental Congress in 1774.  Elected delegate to Second Continental Congress in 1775.  Continental Congress elected Washington as General and Commander in Chief of the Continental Army June 15, 1775.

18. Revolutionary War  Never a brilliant tactician, Washington proved to be an able General in the Revolution, keeping a rag-tag group of part time soldiers together against a far superior enemy.  Although defeated numerous times, Washington knew that if he kept fighting, avoided disastrous defeat, and received aid from abroad, he could wear the British down.  As he had earlier in his life, Washington showed his courage against enemy fire numerous times during the Revolution.  Never a brilliant tactician, Washington proved to be an able General in the Revolution, keeping a rag-tag group of part time soldiers together against a far superior enemy.  Although defeated numerous times, Washington knew that if he kept fighting, avoided disastrous defeat, and received aid from abroad, he could wear the British down.  As he had earlier in his life, Washington showed his courage against enemy fire numerous times during the Revolution.

19. Critical Battles for Washington Successes (Wins or Draws) -Trenton -Princeton -Monmouth -Yorktown Successes (Wins or Draws) -Trenton -Princeton -Monmouth -Yorktown Losses -Long Island -White Plains -Brandywine Creek -Germantown -Numerous skirmishes.

20. Washington Crossing the Delaware

21. After the War  Washington returned home to private life, while the country struggled under the Articles of Confederation.  Convinced that a change was needed, Washington joined the Continental Convention of 1787. Washington was the president of the convention, giving the proceedings an air of prestige.  After the ratification, Washington was unanimously elected the first president of the United States on February 5, 1789.  Washington returned home to private life, while the country struggled under the Articles of Confederation.  Convinced that a change was needed, Washington joined the Continental Convention of 1787. Washington was the president of the convention, giving the proceedings an air of prestige.  After the ratification, Washington was unanimously elected the first president of the United States on February 5, 1789.

22. As President  Washington served his two terms in New York and Philadelphia.  He was very aware of his unique position as a precedent setter.  He and his cabinet chose the site for Washington D.C.  He traveled extensively through the country to show good will to the people, (usually in fancy dress and on a huge white horse)  He established the title of the president as “Mr. President”.  Washington served his two terms in New York and Philadelphia.  He was very aware of his unique position as a precedent setter.  He and his cabinet chose the site for Washington D.C.  He traveled extensively through the country to show good will to the people, (usually in fancy dress and on a huge white horse)  He established the title of the president as “Mr. President”.

23. Important Decisions or Actions  Chartered the Bank of the United States, enabling a government line of credit.  Proclamation of Neutrality regarding the war between France and Britain.  The Jay Treaty of 1794, which kept the U.S. out of war with Britain, and protected trade between the two nations.  Put down the Whiskey Rebellion (leading the militiamen himself).  Refused a third term as president.  Chartered the Bank of the United States, enabling a government line of credit.  Proclamation of Neutrality regarding the war between France and Britain.  The Jay Treaty of 1794, which kept the U.S. out of war with Britain, and protected trade between the two nations.  Put down the Whiskey Rebellion (leading the militiamen himself).  Refused a third term as president.

24. Presidential Style  Washington was brilliant at delegating authority. He chose one of the most outstanding cabinets of all time and let them make proposals, which he would decide upon.  He did not second guess himself.  He worked hard to ensure unity in the country between regions, and growing political parties.  Washington was brilliant at delegating authority. He chose one of the most outstanding cabinets of all time and let them make proposals, which he would decide upon.  He did not second guess himself.  He worked hard to ensure unity in the country between regions, and growing political parties.

25. Later Years  Retired to Mt. Vernon, went to work on repairs there.  Was asked by President Adams to prepare an Army for a possible war with France.  Met with visitors almost daily.  Retired to Mt. Vernon, went to work on repairs there.  Was asked by President Adams to prepare an Army for a possible war with France.  Met with visitors almost daily.

26. Last Days  George Washington died on December 14, 1799.  In unsuccessful attempts to heal him, old fashioned remedies such as leeching were used. Many historians suspect that these techniques helped to kill him.  George Washington died on December 14, 1799.  In unsuccessful attempts to heal him, old fashioned remedies such as leeching were used. Many historians suspect that these techniques helped to kill him.

27. George Washington and Slavery  Like most men of his time and place, George Washington was a slave owner..  As he grew older his stance grew more mild, and he made it a point not to sell his slaves, to keep families together.  Washington freed his slaves in his will.  Like most men of his time and place, George Washington was a slave owner..  As he grew older his stance grew more mild, and he made it a point not to sell his slaves, to keep families together.  Washington freed his slaves in his will.

28. Legacy  George Washington’s lasting legacy is that of the the “Father of Our Nation”.  He was unique in turning down the chance to be a king. Only a handful of leaders have ever done so.  He set a tone for the office of the president, which has more or less guided future presidents ever since.  George Washington’s lasting legacy is that of the the “Father of Our Nation”.  He was unique in turning down the chance to be a king. Only a handful of leaders have ever done so.  He set a tone for the office of the president, which has more or less guided future presidents ever since.