Introduction
George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia on 22nd February 1732 (Benge, 11).He schooled exclusively in colonial Virginia. During the American Revolution, he took up a duty of a general and commander-in-chief of the colonial armies (Benge, 14). Later, he served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797 and passed on two years later. However, Washington has remained one of the memorable figures in American history. Notably, he bears a great historical significance in the United States of America. This paper seeks to identify and explore on the significance of George Washington in the American history.
George Washington has been termed as the most influential American colonies’ asset in the American Revolutionary war (Benge, 21). This is because of the great role he individually played during the war. Notably, his personal dedication to service, his leadership skills and his willpower and guts contributed immensely to the victory of the Americans in the revolutionary war. The revolutionary war began as a fight between the great Britain and other thirteen colonies but later narrowed down to focus on the United States, Netherland, Spain and France against Britain (Benge, 24). The war was in quest for independence of the United States of America. George Washington’s importance during the American Revolutionary war cannot be exaggerated. He was named the commander in chief of the continental army during the revolutionary war that lasted from 1775 to 1783(Benge, 30). He was an amazing general who did not lose faith in the victory of the American army, despite their various defeats in the first year of the war with the British. He managed to lead the American army to important victories such as the incarceration of Boston together with major defeats including the loss of New York City (Benge, 34). Most importantly, the victory of the Americans is attributed to Washington because of his leadership skills, dedication to service, commitment for his course and his strong courage. Remarkably, the American army was poorly trained, ill equipped and composed of very few soldiers. Despite all these challenges, Washington managed to keep the army united through his leadership qualities in which he motivated and directed them. Unlike other generals, George Washington did not quit or escape from his duty and commitment towards the American army at any time. The eight tasking years of the war ended In October 1781(Benge, 43). With the help of the French, the Continental forces managed to arrest British troops under General Charles Cornwallis (Benge, 48). This incident successfully brought the revolutionary war to an ended and George Washington was proclaimed a national hero. Furthermore, George Washington was very significant in the historical politics of the United States of America. Notably, Washington is usually referred to as the founder and father of the United States of America due to the political foundation he set from history. He had a great consideration for a strong federal government which immensely transformed the nation during his term in office. He supported the principle of merit and opposed foreign entanglement, ideas which came to be followed by his successors who have always aimed at keeping the political pace set to them by Washington (Benge, 66).
Conclusion
Recognizing that the way he approached the job would influence how succeeding presidents handled the position, George Washington passed down a legacy of strength, integrity and national purpose to the people of the U.S (Benge, 68). George Washington therefore remains one of the most influential leaders in the history of the American States of America.
Reference
Benge, Janet, and Geoff Benge. George Washington: True Patriot. Lynnwood, WA: Emerald Books, 2001. Print.
