A Discussion on the Siginificance of George Washington's Life and Work

George Washington played an important part in the founding of America not only because he was the first president, but also because he was commander in chief of the American forces in the American Revolution, and chairman of the convention that wrote the United States Constitution. Washington is believed to be the "father of his country", and for that he should be recognized.

George Washington helped to hold the 13 colonies together and eventually led the men who turned America from an English colony into a self-governing nation.

His military record during the revolution is highly creditable, especially because his job in those years was far harder and more complex than those of a general who only fights battles.

First he had to build an army from untrained and often unpaid men, and the cold winters at Valley Forge would have made a poorer leader quit in despair. Terms of enlistment or conscription werent long at all and Washington often saw nearly his whole army melt from under him as men went home, their legal term of service over.

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He never had an army large enough to risk outright battle, and at times he was close to total defeat. Undiscouraged, Washington turned defeat into resounding victory. Washington's plan was to make it costly for the British to hold ground. He forced them out of Boston, then out of Philadelphia, and penned them up in New York City.

Washington was also an important leader in the movement that led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

At first this meeting considered only changing the Articles of Confederation. When it became clear that the old Articles could not be successfully revised, he gave full support to building the new Constitution. Presiding over the long meetings, he spoke little but wisely and to the point. His presence lent prestige to the proceedings, and although he made few direct contributions, he generally supported the advocates of a strong central government. After the new Constitution was submitted to the states for ratification and became legal, he was unanimously elected president.

Acting with a cooperative Congress, Washington and his aides constructed the foundations on which the political institutions of the country have rested since that time. His qualifications for presidency couldnt have been better. For many years he had contended with most of the problems that faced the infant government. By direct contact he had come to know the leaders who were to play important parts during his presidency. Having traveled widely over the country, he had become well acquainted with its economic conditions and practices. Experience had taught him a lot in the arts of diplomacy. Thanks to his many contacts with the soldiers of his army, he understood the American people and knew what they wanted.

It is these many credentials and accomplishments that George Washington deserves recognition for; his ideals of liberty and democracy set a standard for future presidents and for the whole country.