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 __ **George Washington** __ George Washington was **born** on **February 22, 1732**. He **died** on **December 14, 1799**. George Washington never officially joined a party but he supported **federalist** ideas. He served in office from **April 30, 1789** to **March 4, 1797**. His Vice President was **John Adams**, who served with him for both terms. 

George Washington deserves an A+ for his two terms in office. Scholars would agree with me, as they have ranked him as one of the top three presidents of all time. This is probably because he did many great things while in office. For example, the Bill of Rights was created during his presidency, he suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion, he forced the British to evacuate Western Forts, he created the Proclamation of Neutrality, ect.

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Virginia. His parents were Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. He was educated at home by his father and older brother. Washington's father died when he was only 11 years old. George then went to live with his older brother. Washington didn't have very much formal schooling but he taught himself to be a expert woodsman and surveyor. Being such a good surveyor later helped him during the French and the Indian war because his knowledge about the land was invaluable. George Washington became a hero in both the French and Indian War and the Revolution.

George Washington started his military career in the French and Indian War. However, he was not successful at first. He got stuck in a jam and threw together a little fort call Fort Necessity. Unfortunately, he was not victorious. George Washington and his troops were defeated and signed a surrender in order to be able to march back to Williamsburg. Disappointed, George Washington dropped out of the military. Luckily, he signed back up again the next year determined to succeed. He joined the British general Edward Braddock. Braddock was ambushed by the French and the Indians, and even though Washington had fallen ill he still managed to rally Virginian troops. This gained Washington respect and boosted his military career. He was promoted to colonel and commander in chief of the Virginia militia. During his time in the military Washington grew from a foolish young boy to a mature soldier.

Washington left the army in 1758 and entered into politics in 1759. Washington was a member of Virginia's House of Burgesses. He was a delegate in the first and second Continental Congress. During this time Washington happily married Martha Dandridge Curtis. However, he was becoming increasingly annoyed and upset with the way the British treated the colonists. Washington was the unanimous choice for commander in chief of the Continental forces. They battled the British and lost New York City to them, however they battled again in New Jersey. This time the Americans won Trenton. Washington helped his troops survive a terrible winter at Valley Forge. Then the French came to help and America gained victory at the Yorktowne Campaign. After the war, Washington stayed away from politics for a while. He preferred to spend time at his home, Mt. Vernon. Washington did not return to politics until 1787 when he headed the Virginia delegation to the Constitutional Convention in Philidelphia, where he was unanimously elected President.

George Washington's goal as president was to create a great nation that would be capable of surviving a world that was being torn apart by war between Britain and France. He accomplished this goal by doing many things. One thing that he did was create a Proclamation of Neutrality in 1793, which helped the country to avoid foreign conflict. He also created a decade of peace with Britain by creating the Jay treaty in 1795. Another goal of Washington's was to unite the American people. When George Washington came into Presidency the country was brand new. The people hadn't really begun to think of themselves as one nation yet because for so long they had either been on their own, creating local governments, or being controlled and suppressed by the British. The American people were very afraid that the new government that was being established was going to be just as bad, or worse than the British. One of the things that George Washington did to reach this goal was touring New England and the South to prevent sectionalism and to help the people feel united. In 1790 he wrote to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport and addressed them as equal citizens expressing his thoughts that religious freedom was the key to a free, constitutional government.

George Washington had a very good relationship with Congress. One of the reasons Washington had such a good relationship with Congress is because of his expieriences as a soldier. While in the wars Washington learned how to effectively deal with civil authority. Even when he strongly disagreed with congress, or was angry at them for not sending enough supplies during the war, he still acted appropriately. Congress unanimously voted him president twice. They wanted him to be president for a third time as well, however he refused saying that being president for more than two terms would give one man too much power. Another reason Congress liked Washington so much was because of the hero he had been during the war. Congress and Washington had a good relationship because they worked hard together to establish things such as the Bill of Rights, The Proclamation of Neutrality, The Jay treaty, the taxes, the national banking system, ect. Washington certainly didn't do it alone.

Creating the Bill of Rights was the most positive thing that George Washington and his administration did. Although created over 200 years ago, they are still in effect today. They are the amendments to our constitution that give us the freedoms we take for granted every day. Another great thing he did was establishing a national banking system that we still use today, and implementing an effective tax system. The most negative thing that Washington did was turn down a third term in office. Washington was a great president and we are better off because of him.

George Washington was probably the best president we have ever had. Not only did he do a great job as president but he had the harder job than any other president. George Washington was the first president. When he came into office the country was brand new and far from perfect. He had many obstacles to overcome, and he did, gracefully.

George Washington and his administration created the Bill of Rights. This had a bigger impact on lives today than any other thing he did. Because of this we have freedom of speech, freedom of press, the right to have a gun, and many other things. Also they created the national banking system that we still use today. It is certainly a good system if it is still working after over 200 years, even with all the advances in technology. We may not realize it but without these things that we take for granted our lives would be very different.

This country is much better off because of having a president like George Washington. He did many great things including creating the bill of rights, helping to establish freedom of religion, supressing the Whiskey Rebellion, paying off war debts, and making peace with the British. He probably did such a great job because he was the first president and had to start from scratch. He was able to establish many things that are still making our country run smoothly today. George Washington earned his A+.

Bibliography: George Washington - EnchantedLearning.com. (n.d.). //ENCHANTED LEARNING HOME PAGE.// Retrieved January 26, 2010, from http://www.enchantedlearning.com/history/us/pres/washington/

George Washington. (n.d.). //Supercomputing '94//. Retrieved January 26, 2010, from http://sc94.ameslab.gov/TOUR/gwash.html

Rediscovering George Washington. Timeline: Presidency | PBS. (n.d.). //PBS//. Retrieved January 26, 2010, from http://www.pbs.org/georgewashington/timeline/presidency.html

GEORGE WASHINGTON. (n.d.). //SOLAR NAVIGATOR HOMEPAGE INFORMATION PORTAL MARINE WORLD ELECTRIC NAVIGATION CHALLENGE//. Retrieved January 26, 2010, from http://www.solarnavigator.net/history/george_washington.htm