Born in 1732, George Washington served as a colonel in a Virginia militia before the war. He later became commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. A large man by the standards of his day, he was known for his honesty.
He is remembered more for what he did than for what he said or wrote. Most of his writings relate exclusively to military affairs. Still, his quotes are found throughout history volumes. Two of his quotes on religion and government are somewhat at odds: “The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion”; “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible. The reader is left to draw conclusions as to Washington’s exact stance on these issues.
He was appointed Commander in Chief on June 15, 1775, and assumed command in Massachusetts at the end of June. Fighting had already begun at Bunker Hill. By August, Washington had started the American Navy. In August 1776 he led the Continental Army at Long Island against 20,000 British troops.
The Conway Cabal of 1777 was an attempt by American General Conway and others to replace Washington because of his purported ineffectiveness. The attempt failed. Washington and his troops braved the winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania; over 2,000 troops died. The course of the war eventually turned in favor of the Americans, and the new republic was born.
Washington was a slave owner, so his participation in that evil institution is undeniably a blight on his legacy. Still, he freed his slaves in his will, and people remember him as the leader of the new nation that brought an end to colonial rule in the Americas.
He literally led the fight to establish constitutional democracy that would be limited by the rights of man, a revival of classical concepts that had died during the Dark Ages. That model of political rights was subsequently used by African Americans, women, and gay/lesbian groups to gain more freedoms. It is a concept that is usually taken for granted in the U.S. today, unless threatened by government.
George Washington became the first President of the United States in 1789. After two successful terms as President, Washington left office. He died in 1799.
