He
was born February 22nd of 1732 in Westnoreland County, VA.
He was one of the founding fathers of the United States and served as
the first President after the Constitution was established. He served
as President from April 30th 1789-March 4th
1797 but he served as commander in chief of the Continental Army
during the American Revolution.
He
presided over the committee that drafted the Constitution and
established the position of President. He was elected President as
the unanimous choice of the 69 electors in 1788 and served two terms
in office. He oversaw the creation of a strong well financed national
government. This government maintained neutrality in the wars raging
in Europe, suppressed rebellion, and was accepted among all types of
Americans.
His
leadership style established many forms and the rituals of government
that had been used since such as a cabinet system and the delivery of
the inaugural address. He was hailed as the “ father of his
country.” George Washington never had any children of his own with
his wife because after having a bout with small pox he was left
sterile. He did have two step-children since Martha was a widow.
He
opposed the 1756 Stamp Act, the first direct tax on the colonies, and
began taking a leading role in the growing colonial resistance when
protest against the Townshend Act ( enacted in 1767) became
widespread. In May 1769 he introduced a proposal ,drafted by his
friend George Mason, calling for Virginia to boycott English Goods
until the acts were repealed,
When
he was elected president he was paid $25.000 a year, but declined the
salary because he valued his image as a selfish public servant. Plus
he had came from a wealthy family since his father owned tobacco
plantations and slaves. Also his marriage to Martha increased his
property holdings and standings. And made him one of the wealthiest
men in Virginia He
acquired one-third of the 18,000-acre upon his marriage, worth
approximately $100,000, and managed the remainder on behalf of
Martha's children, for whom he sincerely cared for.
Some
Myths about Washington:
He
did not chop down the Cherry Tree. This story was just invented after
his death and was intended to show school children how honest he was.
He
did have false teeth but they weren't wooden. In fact they were made
of cows teeth, one of his own teeth, hippo, ivory, metal, and
springs. In fact they did not fit well which is why he never smiled.
He
did not throw a silver dollar across the Platonic River because there
were no silver dollars when he was a kid.
He
never lived in the White House because the White House was not
completed after his presidency. He did however help select the site
of the capital and the executive mansion.
He
never wore a wig but kept his real hair. He kept it pinned back as
well as powdered it which was popular back in that time.
He
never attended collage but he did find education important and helped
established the country's first collage.
He
was the first founding father to free his slaves. He inherited slaves
from his father at age 11 and even though slavery had been around for
thousands of years and was widely accepted he emancipated the slaves
in his will and his estate paid pensions for their descendants. At
the time of his death over 500 African Americans slaves lived at
Mount Vernon and as he grew older his views on slavery changed.
He
was the first man to sign the constitution.
He
did introduce mules to the United States.
He
declined the opportunity to be King.
