GEORGE WASHINGTON

WHO IS GEORGE WASHINGTON?

• First President of the U.S.A
• Commander in chief of Continental Army
• Not a member of any political party
• Served as President from 1789-1797
• 8 years as a President

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

• Born on February 22, 1732
• In Westmoreland County, Virgina
• "Close study" and "Virginia Elite"
• Was the oldest child
• Washington never had children of his own

EARLY LIFE

• At 16, helped survey the Shenandoah lands for Thomas
• Fought in the first battles of French and Indian War
• Led Continental Army (1774-5) during American Revolution
• Became President of Constitutional Convention (1787)

KEY EVENTS/CHALLENGES

• Was elected for the first term (1789)-
• With two or more people in agreement
• Believed in strong federal government-
• Influenced people during 8 years in office
• Challenge: how to establish good government

POST-PRESIDENTIAL PERIOD

• Didn't run for the third time
• Was asked to be the American commander
• Retired to Mount Vernon
• Died on December 14,1799
• Had a throat infection

CHARACTER TRAITS/QUIRKY FACTS

• Politics bored him
• Bravery, integrity, loyalty
• Teeth were made out of:
• "hippopotamus ivory and employing gold wire springs"
• "brass screws holding human teeth"

THINGS NAMED AFTER HIM

• Precedent to many people
• State is named after him
• Monument: Washington Memorial
• Mount Rushmore

CITATIONS

• www.mountvernon.org
• www.wikipedia.org
• www.cr.nps.gov
• www.americanhistory.about.com