George Washington Statue - a photo on Flickriver

            George Washington was the 1st President of the United States.  He was also a member of the Continental Congress that would sign the Association and later the United State Constitution.  His rise to glory started as a General during the French and Indian War and would go on as Commanding General during the Revolutionary War, although he would always introduce himself as just a farmer.

In 1753, the French Army sided with all Indian tribes to force British out of the country.  Their first act was to occupy the Ohio Valley.  This was controlled by the British and considered split land between Pennsylvania and Virginia.  The British sent Washington to the valley to deliver a message to the French asking them to vacate the area.  The French refused and this starting the French and Indian War.

Washington was put as an aid to British General Edward Braddock.  In 1755, Braddock would be killed in battle and George Washington would take charge to lead the army.  The troops were forced to retreat but Washington was promoted to General for his heroism for taking charge and his composure on the battlefield.  Washington was given General of Virginia Regiment and is considered the first Regiment or army controlled by colonies.  All other parts of army was British ruled or just militia.  Washington would take his army and march west where he would lead a charge against Fort Duquesne in present day Pittsburgh forcing the French to retreat and open up the Ohio Valley.

Soon after this major victory, Washington would retire from the British Army.  He would return back to his home, Mount Vernon, in Virginia, where he would continue his job as a farmer.  It was as a farmer that Washington would take pride, and when introduced, he would always be referred to as George Washington, the farmer, not President or general.  He would soon meet and marry widower Martha Dainbridge Custis.  She would have 2 children who George would raise as his own because he would never have children with Martha.

With the outbreak of the Revolutionary War coming, all colonies called what they referred to as a Constitutional Convention.  Washington would attend Virginia's and be elected as a delegate to join the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.  In 1774, as a member of the 1st Continental Congress, Washington would help right and sign the Articles of Association.  These articles were sent to the Queen of England and highlighted the cruelties of the throne and British control over the colonies.  The Association would later serve as a rough draft for the Declaration of Independence.  The Articles of Association were ignored by the Queen and the Colonies were forced to declare their independence from England.  

In 1775, when the 2nd Continental Congress was decided, Washington would again serve as delegate from Virginia.  He would arrive in Philadelphia in his war suit ready for war.  So instead of serving in the Congress, John Adams of Massachusetts nominated Washington as General and Commander of all Continental forces.  Washington thought he wasn't capable of this honor but accepted.  Washington, however,  served in the British Army where he was a General and learned how to lead a British Army and fight with a British Army.  It made him an easy candidate.

Washington would take over the army with different goals.  He would train the Army, since most men were common men and never served in the Army.  He would also lead this army he trained and put together against the Crown without surrendering until the war was over.  And that he did.

Throughout this war, Washington would lead this army with his head held high and ready to take down any obstacle in their way.  He would however be defeated in over half the battles he led.  But he never surrendered.  He would almost be captured at the Battle of Long Island but was able to escape and flee New York.  In 1777, he had his men camped out at Valley Forge for the winter.  Over the next 6 months, thousands of his men died at Valley Forge from disease.  Congress did not have the money to send supplies like clothes or food.  The army almost decided to over throw Washington but Washington would help raise the morale of the soldiers.  He would have all local farmers donate food and would bring in Generals Marque de Lafayette and Frederick Von Steuben.  They would train the soldiers in gorilla warfare and how to beat the British Army.  The next few years, the Army started defeating the British one battle at a time.  It would all come to an end in 1781 when Washington would lead his men to Yorktown and surround British Major General Lord Cornwallis bringing an end to the war.

After the war, Washington would give his farewell speech to his troops at Fraunces Tavern in New York and then retire to his home Mount Vernon.  He would again be sent to Philadelphia in 1787 to help rewrite a new Constitution because the Articles of Confederation were to vague and causing problems in the newly formed states.  Washington would preside over the congress and help write the new Constitution.  He would then be one of the signers to sign the United States Constitution.  One thing in the Constitution was that a new government would be formed with one man presiding it.  Washington would be voted and sworn in as the 1st President of the United States.

Washington serves as 1st President with no idea on how to run a whole government.  But he considered himself a man of the people and it was his duty to serve the people.  Washington helped set up a nation built on laws and government.  He set up a good Judicial System to preside over cases instead of having one man decide the outcome.  Washington also set up a treasury to control government spending and helped set up a banking system.  Washington spent 2 terms as President of the United States but spent all his time setting up a nation for the future.  He retired after 2 terms because he felt that he would always be elected if he ran, and if only one man serves as President, he would be no different then a king, which is why we declared our independence from England in the first place.

This wax statue of George Washington is located in Mt Vernon, Va at the estate of George Washington, Mt Vernon.

Taken in: United States / Virginia / Mount Vernon / Vernon Square (show map)

Taken on: September 20, 2014

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Camera: Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS, f/3.4, 1/60 sec, 4mm, ISO 800 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS
Aperture:	f/3.4
Exposure Time:	0.017 sec (1/60)
Focal Length:	4mm
ISO:	800
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Auto, Fired, Red-eye reduction
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
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