George WashingtonThe First President of the United

States

Presentation by: Hillary Hacker

Background photo: American Flag By: ladybugbkthttp://www.flickr.com/photos/branditressler/989489697/lightbox/

Young Life

• Born February 22, 1732

• Raised in Virginia • Father died when he

was 11• Educated in the United

States• Worked on family farm

http://www.mountvernon.org/learn/meet_george/index.cfm/ss/21/

Western Expansion

• Taught himself surveying• Joined expedition to West Virginia• At 17 became county surveyor• Went to Barbados with Lawrence

Fairfax• Contracted Smallpox

Early Military Career

• Very interested in Military• Could have

joined British Navy• Gained a place

in Virginia Militiahttp://www.flickr.com/photos/mbell1975/3158104410/in/set-72157622999843869/lightbox/

French-Indian War 1754-1763

• Appointed to Major• Delivered letter to French military • Appointed to lieutenant colonel• Fought many battles• Received little support from British• Eventual British win

American Revolution

• Elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army

• July 3, 1776 took charge of 14,000 man army

• Famous attack on Christmas eve 1776

• Gained respect among citizens

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/2554466239/

Early Political Career

• 1783 Resigned from commission• Made him a national Hero• May 1787, unanimously elected

presiding officer of constitutional convention• Rallied for support of Constitution• Wanted to retire from politics

Presidency

• Was voted unanimously by all electors• Served 2 terms• 1st term focused on organization• Concerned with opposing parties being formed• 2nd term focused on foreign affairs• Believed neutrality was essential• At end of term most major conflicts were

resolved

Late Life

• Would not accept 3rd term• Appointed commanding general

of a provisional army• December 12, 1799 became sick• Died December 14, 1799

Legacy

• Most respected President

• Policies still applied today

• Associated with success of the nation

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/2560878009/sizes/m/in/photostream/

“It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.”

-George Washington

Bibliography

• http://www.mountvernon.org/learn/meet_george/index.cfm/ss/21/

• http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/president

s/georgewashington • http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/washin

gton/george1.html • http://www.theamericanrevolution.org/peopl

edetail.aspx?people=1