Download Essay Group 3 #3 George Washington and the American Revolution

1
George Washington and the American Revolution
Tracy Ngo
1830 San Bernardino Ave. San Bernardino, CA 92408
909-796-4195
[email protected]
Redlands High School
840 E. Citrus Ave. • Redlands, CA 92374
909-307-5500
Grade 11th
2
George Washington and the American Revolution
Britain began imposing taxes such as Stamp Act, Townshend Act, Quartering Act, and
Sugar Act pushed the New World into war with Britain. There objectives were to form a new
government where one’s rights would be respected. The new government would be based on
equality, liberty, and rights that would be granted to all citizens, white males who owned
property. During the American Revolution, George Washington, the first and highly influential
president of the United States, guided America through the war against Britain by his leadership,
character, and his likeable personality toward American citizens and American soldiers. Through
his leadership skills, he was created strategic plans that led his soldiers to victory. His character
resulted in American citizens choosing Washington as their leader. Also, his likeable personality
caused American citizens to unanimously choose him as a leader. George Washington assisted
in America gaining their independence from Britain through his leadership, character, and
likeable personality.
George Washington’s leadership skills assisted in America gaining their independence.
George Washington proved his strength and courage by creating strategical plans that allowed
him to win important battles, “While he lost more battles than he won, George Washington
employed a winning strategy that included signal victories at the Battle of Trenton in 1776 and
Yorktown in 1781” (“The Revolutionary War”). Even though he had very little military skills, he
showed determination and managed to guide his troops to victory. By winning important battles
during the war, he filled his soldiers and citizens with hope and belief that they will win; they
started to doubt that they would win when they constantly kept losing battles, “To military
leaders on both sides, however, the events at Yorktown made it clear that conflict was reaching
its natural end” (Kilmeade 190). Due to his superior leadership qualities, he ended war by
3
winning a significant battle. His leadership skills along with his character made him a likeable
person to American citizens as they broke away from England.
American citizens wanted George Washington to represent them as they broke away from
England because of his character. American citizens chose Washington as their leader during the
war, eventually after as well when they decide to elect a president, because they saw him as
strong, courageous, wise, a good decision maker, and trustworthy, “His character helped hold the
other founders together in the midst of tremendous trails and reassured them…” (“The Character
of George Washington”). His military strength, especially during war, resulted in him creating
strong and impenetrable tactics, “But Washington knew full well Howe’s eventual goal, New
York, so he moved his headquarters there. How did Washington know” ( McDowell 157). His
creative planning allowed him to think ahead of the British that led Americans to triumphant. His
likeable personality instilled hope and pride in them as a whole.
Due to his likable personality, he was chosen to lead America because he implanted an
idealistic depiction of freedom and independence from Britain. He was adored by everyone and
seen as a hero, “It was only three months after the fervent yearlong celebration of the one
hundredth anniversary of independence, in which Washington had been portrayed as the ultimate
hero” (Fleming 5). His heroic and braveness as he fought the American Revolution and willing
to do whatever necessary to win was depicted to Americans as a leader. His likeable personality
made him a clear choice to be leader, general, and made him the appearance and face of the
American Revolution, ““…because its members trusted his moral character. Assessments of
Washington applauded his military zeal and political passion on the one hand and his selfrestraint and civil moderation on the other” (“The Character of George Washington”). His likable
4
personality made his choice to be chosen as general and leader of the American Revolution
which was the correct choice for them to win.
Washington’s leadership, character, and likeable personality resulted in the defeat against
the British in the American Revolution. His leadership, character, and likeable personality not
only guided America to win, but also provide many of them with nationalism and pride for their
country. After he victoriously wins against the long, cruel, and difficult battles, American
citizens comprehended the idea of freedom and equality. This set up the foundation and basis on
the country. He improved progress and development for America because he made goals for
them to succeed. His continuous effort to push himself and American soldiers and citizens to
pursue the war allowed an outcome that effected the nation for centuries. Since he fought as
diligently and effectively as possible, he became the first president of the United States because
of his actions of the war which portrayed him as a hero. His first presidency guided, just like how
he guided the Americans to victory during war, Americans about how their new government
should function and be different to Britain.
5
Bibliography (MLA Manual of Style)
Fleming, Thomas J. The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers. New York: Smithsonian, 2009.
Print.
Kilmeade, Brian, and Don Yaeger. George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved
the American Revolution. New York: Sentinel, 2013. Print.
March 15, 2010 | by Gary S. Smith | Topic: Faith & Society Print. "The Character of George
Washington." The Center for Vision Values at Grove City College. N.p., n.d. Web. 02
Dec. 2016.
McDowell, Bart. The Revolutionary War: America's Fight for Freedom. Washington, D.C.:
National Geographic Society, 1967. Print.
@MountVernon. "The Revolutionary War." George Washington's Mount Vernon. N.p., n.d.
Web. 02 Dec. 2016.
6
Biography
At Redlands High School, I took many AP and Honors courses since freshman year. In
freshman year, I took Biology Honors, English Honors, and Math Honors. During my
sophomore year, I took AP European History, English Honors, and Math Honors. Currently in
my junior year, I am taking AP Psychology, AP United States History, AP Language and
Composition, and Math Honors. I recently received an award for Outstanding Student of the
Quarter and have gotten awards for having over a 4.0 GPA. I ran Track and Field freshman year
and ran Cross Country last year where I received a Coach Award for my hard work, dedication,
and improvement. I have been in Octagon Club, where they help others around campus, the
Secretary of Environmental Coalition, where they would preach about helping the environment
around school, and Link Crew, where they support and welcome incoming freshmen into high
school and educate them to know how it operates. I also have accomplished more than 295 hours
of community service at THINK Together, an organization to help children grades 1-5 with
homework, during freshmen year. I am also rank 70 out of 576. For my future, I am determined
about going into a UC school and pursuing a career in being a lawyer. My passion for helping
others and solving other people’s problems has resulted in my wanting to have a profession as a
lawyer. I strive to attend an amazing UC school and being able to major in the profession of my
choice.