George Washington
By Illa Vij

GEORGE WASHINGTON, the first President of USA and leader of its revolutionary struggle for independence, distinguished himself by his judicious and temperate approach to problems. He helped unify the diverse elements that formed the USA. George was born in Virginia on February 22, 1732. His father was a prosperous land owner. He owned plantations on which he raised cattle and grew tobacco.

Washington spent his youth on the estates, and his education was inadequate. At the age of 15, he became an orphan. He lived with his half-brother Lawrence, who had inherited their father’s estate. Lawrence was married to a girl who belonged the rich Fairfax family. George’s acquaintance with Lord Fairfax proved to be an asset for him. The culture and the library of the family provided George a lot of exposure that refined and polished him.

Fairfax appointed George an assistant surveyor and then surveyor to Fairfax county in 1749. Two years later on a visit to West Indies, George caught smallpox, which marked him for life. On return, he lost his half-brother and the estates were inherited by the latter’s daughter. Within a few years the daughter too died, and George became a wealthy landowner. An enthusiastic farmer, he, devoted himself to the work on the estates. He had visions of prosperous farmers who would add to the prosperity of the nation.

In 1752, George Washington was appointed adjutant of one of the military districts of Virginia, and a year later he was in active military service. He showed himself as an outstandingly brave leader.

The war between Britain and France was on and Virginia was threatened with invasion. George fought and defended his colony. After a victorious end, he decided to return to his plantation. In the meanwhile, in his absence, he had been elected to the local House of Burgesses. He married a widow, Martha Dandridge Custis, and settled down at his estate. He became an important figure in the colony.

King George III decided to tax the American colonies to help pay for the recent war against France. The colonists were extremely upset and objected violently to the move. Washington made a speech in the House of Burgesses to propose a boycott of British goods. The Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in this connection. The following year the American War of Independence began. Congress wanted Virginia to lead the united army, and Washington was elected commander-in-chief. Washington had to create the army he was to lead. The troops given to him were without uniforms, training or discipline. He managed to turn them into a fighting force and eight months later, the British were turned out of Boston. On July 14, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed. The war ended with the British surrender at York town on October 19, 1781.

Two years later, Washington resigned and retired. He desired to spend peaceful evenings as a private citizen on his farm. He had given his best to the nation and now wanted to lead a restful life. In 1789, he was called once again to lead his country, this time as its first President. The stream of life in New American nation was dangerously turbulent. Only George Washington had the strength and ability to weld the colonies together. As a President, his term of office ended after four years, but his work was not complete till then. He was urged to serve another term. By the end of the second term (in 1797), he was 65 years old. He went to his home at Mount Vermon. With renewed enthusiasm, he took up again the life he deeply loved. Two years later, he fell ill, and on December 14, 1799, he died.

Major-General Henry Lee proclaimed Washington "First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen". Washington has also been called the first American, as he was the first to think of developing the West. He welded the states into a united nation of which he was the founder. He was not a professional soldier, but became the commander-in-chief of an army. He disliked politics, yet became the first holder of the highest political office in America. He was not a rebel at heart, yet he was the undisputed leader of the American Revolution. The secret of his success in all fields lay in the brilliancy of leadership, and capacity for inspiring loyalty. His determination and strength of character tore the North American colonies from the British rule and with his ability to discipline, he united the colonies into the United States of America.