George Washington: Difference between revisions
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'''George Washington''' (1732-1799) was the first President of the [[United States of America]] (1789-1797). | '''George Washington''' (1732-1799) was the first President of the [[United States of America]] (1789-1797). | ||
==Early Life== | |||
==American Revolution== | |||
As Ellis (2004) argues, the June 1775-March 1776 siege of Boston was the formative event in George Washington's development as a military and political leader, for it was there that he first responded to the logistical problems inherent to the American cause in the Revolutionary War with his trademark determination, leadership ability, and sound decisionmaking. He also, however, exhibited a stubborn, aloof, severe personality that "virtually precluded intimacy." Washington, dubbed "His Excellency" by the adoring American public, also became acquainted with many of his future staff members and lieutenants during this period. | |||
==Constitution== | |||
Long before most of his contemporaries, Washington realized that independence could not be guaranteed without a standing army and that a nation strong enough to defend itself and to control the West could not exist without a central taxing power and a competent executive authority. All of those things, he admitted. ran directly counter to anti-tax, anti-centralizing sentiments that animated the Revolution. But were necessary nonetheless, Washington insisted throughout the 1780s. Ellis (2004) concludes that Washington, succeeded in reconciling those contradictions and playing the difficult role of a semi-monarchical republican leader because he understood so well the proper use of power and could project "onto the national screen ... the same kind of controlling authority he had orchestrated within his own personality."<ref> Ellis 2004 p. 274</ref> | |||
==First President== | |||
==Family and personality== | |||
As Henriques (2006) stresses, Washington was driven by a lifelong quest for fame. He zealously guarded his reputation and took great care to ensure that he always acted properly and that he received due acknowledgement for his propriety. Washington prided himself on his honorable actions and was inordinately sensitive to criticism. Ellis (2004) stresses that Washington learned to discipline his emotions as an essential survival skill while facing dangers a young officer in the Seven Year's War. That capacity for self-control, outwardly manifested in his famous aloofness, served Washington well again during the Revolution not only by insulating him from criticism but also by enabling him to curb his ambitions sufficiently to give up power at the end of the war, thereby earning him the universally honorable reputation that he so ardently desired. | |||
Washington died in 1799 from acute epiglottitis during an influenza epidem. Attending physicians could not agree whether his condition was cynanche, an inflammation of the throat that was believed to require powerful remedies, or something that would require less radical therapeutic interventions than those his physicians had prescribed.<ref>Ben Cohen, Ben. "The Death of George Washington (1732-99) and the History of Cynanche." ''Journal of Medical Biography'' 2005 13(4): 225-231. Issn: 0967-7720 </ref> | |||
===Slavery=== | |||
Critics argue that Washington's status as a slaveholder, his treatment of his slaves, and his condoning of the institution of slavery besmirch his reputation as the "father of our country." Washington's stay at the President's House in Philadelphia was similarly colored by slavery - nine slaves resided both in the house and in adjacent slave quarters. In his will he dictated a plan to free 123 slaves working at his Mount Vernon plantation in Virginia. | |||
===Memory and memorials=== | |||
==Bibliography== | |||
===Biographies=== | |||
* Joseph J. Ellis, ''His Excellency: George Washington'' (2004), interpretative essay | |||
* Peter R. Henriques. ''Realistic Visionary: A Portrait of George Washington.'' U of Virginia Press, 2006. interpretative essay | |||
===Military=== | |||
* Lengel, Edward G. ''General George Washington: A Military Life.'' Random House, 2005. 450 pp | |||
* McCullough, David. ''1776.'' Simon & Schuster, 2005. 386 pp. | |||
===Political=== | |||
===Specialty studies== | |||
* Morgan, Philip D. "'To Get Quit of Negroes': George Washington and Slavery.'' ''Journal of American Studies'' 2005 39(3): 403-429. Issn: 0021-8758 | |||
* Novak, Michael and Novak, Jana. ''Washington's God: Religion, Liberty, and the Father of Our Country.'' 2006. 282 pp. | |||
* Pogue, Dennis J. "George Washington: Slave Master." ''American History'' 2004 38(6): 52-61. Issn: 1076-8866 Fulltext: in Ebsco, popular history | |||
==Primary sources== | |||
* Washington, George. ''The Papers of George Washington: Presidential Series'' Unibersity Press of Virginia. Ltest volume is Vol. 12: January-May 1793. ed by Philander D. Chase, 2005. 708 pp. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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== External Links == | == External Links == | ||
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gw1.html White House biography] | [http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gw1.html White House biography] | ||
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<references/> | |||
[[Category:CZ Live]] | |||
[[Category:History Workgroup]] | |||
[[Category:Politics Workgroup]] | |||
Revision as of 00:22, 11 May 2007
George Washington (1732-1799) was the first President of the United States of America (1789-1797).
Early Life
American Revolution
As Ellis (2004) argues, the June 1775-March 1776 siege of Boston was the formative event in George Washington's development as a military and political leader, for it was there that he first responded to the logistical problems inherent to the American cause in the Revolutionary War with his trademark determination, leadership ability, and sound decisionmaking. He also, however, exhibited a stubborn, aloof, severe personality that "virtually precluded intimacy." Washington, dubbed "His Excellency" by the adoring American public, also became acquainted with many of his future staff members and lieutenants during this period.
Constitution
Long before most of his contemporaries, Washington realized that independence could not be guaranteed without a standing army and that a nation strong enough to defend itself and to control the West could not exist without a central taxing power and a competent executive authority. All of those things, he admitted. ran directly counter to anti-tax, anti-centralizing sentiments that animated the Revolution. But were necessary nonetheless, Washington insisted throughout the 1780s. Ellis (2004) concludes that Washington, succeeded in reconciling those contradictions and playing the difficult role of a semi-monarchical republican leader because he understood so well the proper use of power and could project "onto the national screen ... the same kind of controlling authority he had orchestrated within his own personality."[1]
First President
Family and personality
As Henriques (2006) stresses, Washington was driven by a lifelong quest for fame. He zealously guarded his reputation and took great care to ensure that he always acted properly and that he received due acknowledgement for his propriety. Washington prided himself on his honorable actions and was inordinately sensitive to criticism. Ellis (2004) stresses that Washington learned to discipline his emotions as an essential survival skill while facing dangers a young officer in the Seven Year's War. That capacity for self-control, outwardly manifested in his famous aloofness, served Washington well again during the Revolution not only by insulating him from criticism but also by enabling him to curb his ambitions sufficiently to give up power at the end of the war, thereby earning him the universally honorable reputation that he so ardently desired.
Washington died in 1799 from acute epiglottitis during an influenza epidem. Attending physicians could not agree whether his condition was cynanche, an inflammation of the throat that was believed to require powerful remedies, or something that would require less radical therapeutic interventions than those his physicians had prescribed.[2]
Slavery
Critics argue that Washington's status as a slaveholder, his treatment of his slaves, and his condoning of the institution of slavery besmirch his reputation as the "father of our country." Washington's stay at the President's House in Philadelphia was similarly colored by slavery - nine slaves resided both in the house and in adjacent slave quarters. In his will he dictated a plan to free 123 slaves working at his Mount Vernon plantation in Virginia.
Memory and memorials
Bibliography
Biographies
- Joseph J. Ellis, His Excellency: George Washington (2004), interpretative essay
- Peter R. Henriques. Realistic Visionary: A Portrait of George Washington. U of Virginia Press, 2006. interpretative essay
Military
- Lengel, Edward G. General George Washington: A Military Life. Random House, 2005. 450 pp
- McCullough, David. 1776. Simon & Schuster, 2005. 386 pp.
Political
=Specialty studies
- Morgan, Philip D. "'To Get Quit of Negroes': George Washington and Slavery. Journal of American Studies 2005 39(3): 403-429. Issn: 0021-8758
- Novak, Michael and Novak, Jana. Washington's God: Religion, Liberty, and the Father of Our Country. 2006. 282 pp.
- Pogue, Dennis J. "George Washington: Slave Master." American History 2004 38(6): 52-61. Issn: 1076-8866 Fulltext: in Ebsco, popular history
Primary sources
- Washington, George. The Papers of George Washington: Presidential Series Unibersity Press of Virginia. Ltest volume is Vol. 12: January-May 1793. ed by Philander D. Chase, 2005. 708 pp.