George Washington
George Washington
Leadership Paper
Abstract
George Washington was the first leader of the United States; he was a leader in the military for the French and Indian War, and the American Revolution. While a lot is known about his accomplishments it seems more like destiny and/or fate for his place in history. His upbringing and military battles all are more associated with luck than skill. Discussed in the following is a history and story of an unlikely leader.
George Washington
Washington left behind a undeniable record of military and political achievement. He was not a great field commander, but he learned from his mistakes. Politically, he proved remarkably intelligent at understanding the will of Congress. As a human being, Washington's legacy is more complex.
The Early Years
George Washington was born on the February 22, 1732 in Virginia. Washington had no formal education. Unlike his brothers he was never sent to England for schooling and a higher education. Instead he received a grammar school education in Virginia. George Washington’s brother Lawrence married into Virginia’s largest single landowner family the Fairfax’s. Washington’s connection by his brothers’ marriage gave him a privilege that he would otherwise not have had. Accompanying George Fairfax on an expedition into the wilderness of the Blue Ridge Mountains, allowed a young George Washington to learn about surveying (3). Washington put his newly acquired surveying skills to profitable use. By the time he turned 18, he was earning more money from surveying than he could as a farmer. Ambitious, knowing that surveying and would not bring the wealth are social standing he sought, Washington decided to try for a military career.
He applied for a commission in the Virginia colonial militia. Washington, by using his connection to the Fairfax’s was made a major and charged with training militia in Southern Virginia. At this point in his life, George Washington at the age of 21 years
Leadership Paper
Abstract
George Washington was the first leader of the United States; he was a leader in the military for the French and Indian War, and the American Revolution. While a lot is known about his accomplishments it seems more like destiny and/or fate for his place in history. His upbringing and military battles all are more associated with luck than skill. Discussed in the following is a history and story of an unlikely leader.
George Washington
Washington left behind a undeniable record of military and political achievement. He was not a great field commander, but he learned from his mistakes. Politically, he proved remarkably intelligent at understanding the will of Congress. As a human being, Washington's legacy is more complex.
The Early Years
George Washington was born on the February 22, 1732 in Virginia. Washington had no formal education. Unlike his brothers he was never sent to England for schooling and a higher education. Instead he received a grammar school education in Virginia. George Washington’s brother Lawrence married into Virginia’s largest single landowner family the Fairfax’s. Washington’s connection by his brothers’ marriage gave him a privilege that he would otherwise not have had. Accompanying George Fairfax on an expedition into the wilderness of the Blue Ridge Mountains, allowed a young George Washington to learn about surveying (3). Washington put his newly acquired surveying skills to profitable use. By the time he turned 18, he was earning more money from surveying than he could as a farmer. Ambitious, knowing that surveying and would not bring the wealth are social standing he sought, Washington decided to try for a military career.
He applied for a commission in the Virginia colonial militia. Washington, by using his connection to the Fairfax’s was made a major and charged with training militia in Southern Virginia. At this point in his life, George Washington at the age of 21 years
References: Davis, K. (2008). America’s Hidden History. New York, N.Y.: HarperCollins Ramsay, D. (2009). Life of George Washington, The. (Reprint ed.) Salt Lake City, Utah: Editorium (1) Author Unk. (n.d.) George Washington and the American Revolution. Retrieved January 15, 2011, from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/george-washington-and-the-american-revolution.html (2) Author Unk. (n.d.) George Washington. Retrieved January 15, 2011, from, http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/georgewashington (3) Author Unk. (n.d.) George Washington: A National Treasure. Retrieved January 15, 2011, from http://www.georgewashington.si.edu/life/chronology.html (4) Author Unk. (n.d.) George Washington: A National Treasure. Retrieved January 15, 2011, from http://www.georgewashington.si.edu/life/chrono_military.html (5) Author Unk. (n.d.) George Washington: A National Treasure. Retrieved January 15, 2011, from http://www.georgewashington.si.edu/life/chrono_civilian.html