George Whashington Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

George Whashington - Essay Example He was born the second child of Augustine and Mary Ball Washington in Westmoreland County Virginia in February 22, 1732 (The White House 4). Like any child in his day, he was educated at home under the diligent tutelage of his father and older brother. Being born in the family of farmers, his first interests are also on planting and agriculture. His manners, moral, and education embody that of an 18th century Virginia gentleman. Together with this passion, he also has two "intertwined interests" (The White House 6)-military arts and military expansion. He has been previously employed as a surveyor which geared him with the knowledge of the terrain in his homeland. During 1749, he was appointed as surveyor of then recently established Culpeper County where he became interested in Ohio Company which planned to exploit Western Land. From these humble occupations, he was commissioned a lieutenant colonel in 1754 and fought in the early series of French and Indian war. These exposures equipped him with the necessary skills of warfare and courage. During the following year, Washington "escaped injury although four bullets ripped his coat and two horses were shot from under him" (The White House 7). After his brother's death, he inherited part his estate together with his responsibility as the adjutant in the colony. At the age of 20, he became Major Washington and "was charged with training the militia in the qua rter assigned him" (George Washington 7). He became a Master Mason in Freemasons, a fraternal organization which had a lifelong influence in him. Washington served in the military during the seven years of French and Indian war. Between the war, he got acquainted with a widow named Martha Dandridge Custis who eventually became his wife. They got married on January 6, 1759 and moved to Mount Vernon where Washington began his career as a farmer and a political figure. Being married to a wealthy widow, Washington has been charged of tilling and managing thousands of acres of land. After his marriage, he has been devoted to a busy yet fulfilling life. However, he also shared the growing concerns of his fellow planters. Having been under British regulations, he also felt exploited by the British merchants because of the unfair practices and policies. In his quest of freeing himself and other planters of these restrictions, he took an active role in voicing out their concerns (The White House 10). He became a leader in the colonial resistance by introducing the proposal which called to boycott imported English goods. He was recognized by being very much passionate in pushing for his fellow planters' interests. When the fighting in the American Revolution broke out in 1775, Washington signaled his preparedness for war by appearing at the Second Continental Congress in his military uniform. Having the "prestige, the military experience, the charisma and military bearing," and "the reputation of a strong patriot" (George Washington 15) he was appointed Major General and elected by the congress as Commander-in-Chief. Thus, together with his troops, he embarked on war which lasted for six years. His efforts paid off because in 1781, he