George Washington

Preface/Author's note

-GW is a huge figure in history -he is a role model for us -he risked everything to become the general and he did not have to but stepped up to become president anyways -he was even going to retire, but when Shay's rebellion happened he knew he had to keep fighting for his country -people need to step up

Events in the Intro

-The Indian Chief during the French Indian War says in the beginning of the book that he is shocked with washington because bullets are hitting him, hit his hat, coat but he still survives all of this. George Washington is protected by the great spirit and is expected to do great things. -he was unsuccessful in many battles and faced many horrible defeats...even faces depression thinking that he cannot fight anymore because the indians are fighting unfairly...through all of this he comes out on top and wins the support of all people in the country

Washington's Farewell Address

-Warned Americans not to get involved in European affairs, not to make permanent alliances, not to form political parties and to avoid sectionalism. -controversial: did he actually write it or someone else? -didn't serve a 3rd term, stepped aside, didn't want to be a king

washington's feelings on too much reliance on gov't

-believed government should stay out of the lives of people as much as possible -He thought people go on and create their own life do not the government do it for you -Get education and go live ur life

washignton's support and belief in the constitution

-he believed in it -he presided over the convention where it was created -he wrote to other leaders about it -he agreed to be president when it was created-

What happened with Benedict Arnold?

-he was a traitor and one of GW's good friends = his biggest disappointment in war -he led one general's army into battle and they won the battle, but he received no recognition for it (all generals around him were given a "raise") -washington knew BA won the battle for them but didnt speak up for him in govt -he came up w a big plan to get put in charge of a base, weaken the base, and encourage the Brits to attack this base (West Point Base) -debt needed to be paid so the brits offered him money and a higher rank in army, which basically became a joke because they didnt even trust him after his master plan

what did he think of the french revolution

-it was too crazy, too violent -it went way too far, farther than necessary -anarchy, chaos -Decide not to get involved bc country to fragile to get involved in other country wars

what did he think of political offices

-politics should not be a career - it should be a service to show patriotism -you should not do it forever or expect anything out of it

john honeyman

-sold vegetables to brit troops and they trusted him -became a spy for the patriots and told them everything

What was Washington's personality like?

-stubborn -loved ice cream -extremely humble - always put himself in the front of the lines (generals were usually in the back though) -Not a man of many words, his deeds explained him -Pointed out his biggest character flaw was sacrificing everything to lead

What was his opinion on the Articles of Confederation?

-too weak -country will fall apart = anarchy **esp after Shay's -Bc of him he worked to get rid of it because he said he did not freeze himself to see the country unravel like this -Thought the articles were useless and junk

shay's

Brought him out of retirement because it really scared most of politicians. Wondered what they were gonna do when the next one broke out

washington and the european generals that helped him

Europeans taught these guys how to become soldiers Everyone hated british bc they were number 1 they helped him train his men because militia is not a trained army it is a bunch of volunteers who have volunteered out of patriotism

conclusion of book

He did not want to be general, be the first president or go to the constitutional convention. He wanted to go home but he always stepped up and killed it! GO WASHINGTON. He did not need to do any of this because he was so rich and everything but he did it out of the goodness of his heart. he did everything out of loyalty to the US and its people PATRIOTTTT people need to follow in his foosteps

What is the general message of the book?

SACRIFICE

Battles of trenton and yorktown

Trenton Hessionaries were helping the british and George attacked on christmas day which none of them expected Weather was horrendous like a lot of snow British and all them have a party the night before, celebrating and stuff but than musket balls come flying in the morning. They are still in pajamas Betsy was a very attractive woman who was a spy partying with the british Betsy kept the commander of these troops very occupied that evening and when they got attacked the next morning she was helping them. None of them were ready for it Yorktown George did not wants to do this he wanted to go to New York but he got talked out of it. british fleet of ships found out washington was sending troops he put the brits in a bad spot because yorktown is surrounded by water on three sides, brit fleet didnt show and french fleet did insteas, US was on the land side, and the rest was water became a siege = random attacks here and there but basically waiting it out for one side to make a move or surrender **One side has no chance cornwallis (Brit general) appointed someone else when the time came to finally surrender because he was too embarrassed that he had been set up like this

his willingness to listen to others

he was stubborn, but would listen. he wasn't easily convinced

Washington had a sense of _____?

humility he never talked about himself/his accomplishments and never raised himself up

view on slavery

it was a necessary evil (they needed it but that doesnt mean its good) he had his own slaves to help him after martha died, all of their slaves were freed

Constitutional Convention

presided over it to keep everyone in line opted to become president he did not want to do it or be there but he felt it an obligation

General Gage

the one who took all of the credit washington shouldve said something and didnt

What happened with the Washignton monument

they ran out of money part of the way through building it (bc it was government funded) but somehow it got finished after 50 years

his first love story

tried to propose twice to this girl but gets turned down because he didnt come from high enough