George Washington Flaws and All Essay example - 2098 Words

There are many individuals in American History, whom we as Americans regard for their courage and audacity in shaping our nation. We learn in our history classes the great accomplishments of our founding fathers such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Ben Franklin. One other great founding father and our First President, George Washington was one whom we learned much about. We learn in school that he is as a prime example of leadership, citizenship, and overall individual achievement for his many contributions to our nation’s earliest struggles. But although we are taught that George Washington was this man of great disposition, no man is without his flaws. Many scholars have sought to enlighten individuals to these cracks in the Nation’s†¦show more content†¦At the age of 23 years old Washington would become commander of the Virginia Regiment, ( Ellis, Joseph J, His Excellency, 24) although his men both more experienced and senior sought after him as their le ader. His character and patriotism led directly to his selection as Commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Army. As commander-in-chief George led his army to a number of very important victories to include the capture of Boston with few defeats such as the trouncing of New York City. George lost many battles, with only one surrender, he continuously and persistently fought the British with unrelenting tactics he conspired the general strategy of the war. He oversaw the training and the organization of the army. Being unanimously elected upon Washington began his first term as President in 1789. He went on to serve for a second term ending his presidency in 1796. All that being said George Washington sounds like a stand up guy and that is why many Americans consider him to be a hero, but there are limits to the stories that are told. During the early times in American society, it was not uncommon or taboo for individuals to have slaves. Many wealthy whites have slaves in their hous ehold. Even some of our founding fathers had slaves. Thomas Jefferson is one such politician who is known for the number of slaves he had as well the illegitimate children he produced with some of theseShow MoreRelated George Washington-Founding Father? Essay1170 Words   |  5 Pages George Washington became President in 1789 and since then has been regarded as America’s â€Å"Founding Father†(10). This grand and hero-like status is said to have â€Å"began gravitating to Washington six months before the Declaration of Independence, when one Levi Allen addressed him in a letter as ‘our political Father.’†(10). The preservation of Washington’s role as a national hero has been allowed by authors and the media omitting his many flaws as if they had either been forgotten or were no longerRead MoreExplain The Strengths And Weaknesses Of The Articles Of Confederation857 Words   |  4 PagesThe articles of confederation were the first agreement and first constitution of the United States. The articles of confederation had many flaws which made it more weak than strong. The articles of confederation were a written document the defined the structure of the government from the years 1781 to 1788, under which the union was a confederation of equal states, with no executive leader or power, the articles of confederation were made to mainly to foster a common defense. Now, there were twoRead MoreThe Founding Father Project : George Washington1159 Words   |  5 PagesProject George Washington is the best Founding Father then all of the rest of the Founding Fathers,and that ever lived.George Washington has shaped America into almost perfection and has achieved the status of a legend.George Washington has achieved all of this by taking part in Pre-Revolutionary War,During the Revolution,and Post-Revolutionary War.He will be forever known as the man who made The United States of America,and â€Å"The Father of his Country†. Before the Revolution, George Washington had beenRead MoreWhat Are The Flaws Of The Founding Fathers?1385 Words   |  6 PagesWhat are the flaws of our founding fathers and may have led them to shape our country? There is a group of men of legendary status who are dubbed the â€Å"founding fathers,† often referred to as the creators of our nation. Their faces are dispersed all across America, ranging from coast to coast, with the obelisk of the Washington Monument on the east coast to Mount Rushmore on the north border of the United States to our everyday money; the founding fathers are quite prevalent in our society. AlexanderRead MoreHis Excellency- George Washington Book Review Essays1557 Words   |  7 PagesHis Excellency: George Washington Joseph Ellis sets out to make George Washington, the person we think of as an icon, into a real person. He wants to show us what makes him tick. He wants to turn the marble into the man. So many students today see George Washington as a memorial, a monument, a face on a dollar bill, and the man who could not lie when he cut down the cherry tree. He wants to show us the man George Washington was in his day. Ellis’s method was to divide George Washington’s lifeRead MoreThe United States Of The Declaration Of Independence1486 Words   |  6 Pagesfrom England in 1776. They were a group of very strong and independent men who were interested in the future of the country and its ability to stand on its own. Some of the most important men who signed the Declaration of Independence include: George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. The founding fathers were a group of men who were sick and tired of the abuse and mistreatment of the British soldiers in the 1700’s. There wereRead MoreThe Success Of The American Revolution1328 Words   |  6 Pagesempire. 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The members of the founding generation shared what Wood calls a devotion to the public good, a belief in the importance of public service, and also a serious convictionRead MoreThe Articles Of Confederation And The Constitution1109 Words   |  5 PagesAlthough, the war was won and there were lots of flaws in the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution started shaping the laws and government in the nation. Democracy was something that may be hard for the people to handle according to Alexander Hamilton of New York, and it would also make them confused by the challenges of running the nation. The nation was on the European economic system which it had trouble and struggled. The people got married, raised families, bought slaves, they movedRead MoreJohn Adams : The Second President Of The United States1224 Words   |  5 Pagesteacher and that’s where he met Abigail Smith, the woman he would marry. John and Abigail got married and had five children; one of them was Jo hn Quincy Adams, which would later become president. John Adams was the first vice president for George Washington, and he was his successor, becoming president from 1797 to 1801. He ran for a second term, but he lost to Thomas Jefferson. While John Adams was president, plenty of events occurred. The XYZ affair was one of the events that happened while he