One of the most important personalities in the history of USA is George Washington, the statesman and military man who perhaps more than any other connected his name with the country’s national and political emancipation from British control. He is included in the pantheon of American politicians, the “Founding Fathers” of the nation.
It is no coincidence that Washington is depicted first from the left in his massive sculpture National Monument at Mount Rushmorewhich includes the busts of four presidents and symbolizes the birth and growth of the American nation.
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Popes Creek, Virginia. He was the oldest of six children of Justice of the Peace Augustine Washington and Mary Ball. He also had four older half-siblings from his father’s previous marriage. Although he did not attend a particularly good school, he managed to develop his aptitude for mathematics, drawing and writing.
After coming of age, he engaged for some years in drafting and designing maps, and was then appointed surveyor surveyor of Culpeper County. From 1752 to 1758 Washington served as senior officer in the colonial British army. In January 1759 he married Martha Daudridge Custiswidow of wealthy landowner Daniel Custis.
During his tenure in the British army he had expressed his displeasure towards the greatest colonial power of the time.
He then moved to his estate in Mount Vernon and became active as a tobacco and wheat farmer. It was then that he became actively involved in politics. Already during his service in the British army, he had expressed his displeasure towards the greatest colonial power of the time and subsequently opposed the imposition of taxes on the American colonies. By his actions in the following years, he made clear his reaction to the colonial policy of the British governments.
After the outbreak of the American War of Independence, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the United Colonies (summer of 1775), holding office until the termination of the war with Great Britain. With the Treaty of Paris (September 3, 1783), the British recognized American independence. Washington gave his farewell address to his troops on November 2, and a few days later oversaw the withdrawal of British troops from New York, taking command of the city with Governor George Clinton.
He returned to politics on the occasion of the debates on the American Constitution.
Although he retired for a few years to his estates at Mount Vernon, Washington returned to politics on the occasion of the debates on the American Constitution in 1787, being a pivotal figure in its final formation. Two years later, was elected as the first President of the United States of Americareceiving the vote of confidence of the citizens of the new state. In the next election, which was held from November 2 to December 5, 1792, Washington reaffirmed his primacy in the leadership of the United States of America, virtually unopposed. He received the unanimous vote of the electors to continue his work of establishing a strong state.
He remained in the presidency until 1797, when he was succeeded by former vice president and also a member of the “Founding Fathers” of the USA, John Adams. Washington then retired again to his estates at Mount Vernon. He passed away on December 14, 1799.
Column editor: Myrto Katsigera, Vassilis Minakakis, Antigoni-Despina Poimenidou, Athanasios Syroplakis
