George Washington

Led the War of Independence and stepped down after two full terms, setting the tradition of peaceful transfer of power.

Life

Plantation and battlefield

Washington came from a Virginia planter family, worked as a surveyor in his youth and served as a militia officer in the Seven Years' War between Britain and France. After the war Britain taxed the Thirteen Colonies of North America through measures such as the Stamp Act, provoking constant protest; as a member of the Virginia legislature he took part in the Continental Congress and argued for securing colonial rights by force.

Commander of the Continental Army

In 1775 he was chosen commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Facing an army short of both training and supplies, he adopted a strategy of avoiding decisive battle and preserving his strength, fighting from Trenton and Saratoga to Yorktown, where, with the support of the French army and navy, he finally forced Cornwallis to surrender. After the war he gave up his command and returned to his farm, earning wide renown.

First President

In 1787 he presided over the Constitutional Convention, and in 1789 he was elected the first President. After two full terms he voluntarily stepped down, establishing the tradition of peaceful transfer of power and of not seeking to rule for life. He owned slaves all his life and arranged for their emancipation only in his will; his stance on slavery is an unavoidable part of how later generations judge him.

Legacy

Washington is revered by Americans as the "Father of His Country." He persevered through the War of Independence, voluntarily surrendered his command after the war, and declined to seek a third term after serving two, setting precedents for civilian control of the military and the peaceful transfer of power that profoundly shaped the American constitutional tradition. He was also a slaveholding planter; although his will provided for freeing his slaves, his relationship with slavery remains an unavoidable aspect of assessments of him today.

Major works & achievements

• Led the Continental Army to win the War of Independence
• Presided over the Constitutional Convention
• Became the first President of the United States
• Stepped down voluntarily after two terms

Did you know? He is the only president in American history who never belonged to any political party.

Key dates

• 1754Took part in the French and Indian War in North America
• 1774Attended the First Continental Congress
• 1775Became commander-in-chief of the Continental Army
• 1776Battle of Trenton lifts morale
• 1781Forced British surrender at Yorktown
• 1783Gives up his command; returns to Mount Vernon
• 1787Presided over the Constitutional Convention
• 1789Elected first President
• 1797Steps down voluntarily after two full terms