The journey of George Washington- America’s first President

George Washington, the first president of American, commander of the Continental Army, President of the Constitutional Convention. Through these roles, Washington personified character and leadership.

The son of a landowner and planter, George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in the British-ruled colony of Virginia. George’s father died when he was 11, and his older brother, Lawrence, helped in bringing him up. Washington never attended college but had studied fundamental subjects including reading, writing, and mathematics. However, not a lot is known about his childhood days.

Washington, in his 20s, participated as a soldier in the French and Indian War, Great Britain’s conflict with France over the Ohio River Valley territory. He was elected by Virginians to their colonial legislature, or government, at the age of 26.

Further on, he got married to Martha Dandridge Custis, a wealthy widow with two young children. They got settled at Mount Vernon, a house Washington got in inheritance.

During his tenure as a government official, Washington stood against unfair laws, like increased taxes, during Great Britain’s rule.

In 1774 and 1775, he was chosen to be Virginia’s representatives at the First and Second Continental Congresses, a group of representatives from the 13 colonies that would eventually become the United States.

In July 1776, it was claimed that the 13 colonies were declared independent states, i.e. no longer under British rule. To oppose it. an army was formed, and Washington was chosen to head it.

For five years, Washington held the position of the head of the army till the British finally surrendered. After this, Washington became a national hero.

In 1787 state representatives held a meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Constitutional Convention. There, the delegates wrote the Constitution of the United States. This document laid the foundation to a strong federal government: two chambers of legislators, a federal court system, and a president.

Based on the Constitution’s guidelines, states selected representatives to nominate a president. Washington emerged victorious in the vote and became the first president of the United States.

During his tenure, Washington set a precedent for the future presidents of America. He chalked out how the country would mediate treaties with other countries.

He led two back-to-back terms as President.  Washington retired to Mount Vernon in 1797. Washington dealt with a lot of diseases in his life and died two years later on December 14, 1799.  He supported the largest populations of enslaved people in the country and asked in his will for them to be released from slavery by the time of his wife’s death.

The first President of America left a legacy that continues to inspire the leaders of America even today.