George Washington: From Hero to President

            George Washington was the first president of the United States and one of the most important leaders in United States history. His role in gaining independence for the American colonies and later in unifying them under the new U.S. federal government cannot be overestimated. George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Virginia. Washington's strong upbringing prompted him to be a military man, however "the British Army rejected his efforts" (Flexner1 320). After George Washington led colonial troops to victory in the American Revolution and was elected president he set up many precedents that had long lasting effects. George Washington changed the way American foreign policy was handled through his 1793 Proclamation of Neutrality. .
             The first thing that really made George Washington a big name was the Revolutionary War even though he did play a significant role in the French and Indian War. Laboring against great difficulties, he created the Continental Army, which fought and won the American Revolution, "out of what was little more than an armed mob" (Web1). The turning point of the war was the battle of Trenton where George Washington decided on a surprise attack during Christmas. After an eight-year struggle, his design for victory brought final defeat to the British at Yorktown, and forced Great Britain to grant independence to its overseas possession. Washington was a hero, but there was little time for fanfare because the country was experiencing great difficulties under the Articles of Confederation. Washington noted, "The Confederation appears to me to be little more than a shadow without the substance" (Web2). It had to be fixed, so the leaders of the new young country met in Philadelphia and changed the government-George Washington was on of the contributors. In 1789 he was unanimously elected the first President of the United States of America. One of the many issues he had to deal with was foreign policy.