...George Washington’s Farewell address is a letter of resignation written to the American people stating his advice and warnings of long term safety and happiness. Washington’s letter was released to the public in September 1796 but “drafted in 1792, with the help of James Madison,” as he prepared to retire to Mount Vernon following his first term. Wikipedia.com/Washington’s farewell address. Washington’s main concerns were unity of the states, upholding the constitution, foreign alliances, government spending, religion, morality and education. UNITY OF THE STATES. Washington begins his warnings that their independence, at home and abroad, safety, prosperity, and liberty all depend on the unity of states. That their union will come under attack by foreign and domestic enemies of America “as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed”, to be suspicious and look down upon anyone who seeks to abandon the union or weaken the Constitution, to look beyond any slight differences between them in religion and politics and place their independence and freedom above all else, “With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles”, and the dangers of sectionalism arguing that the true motives are to create distrust or rivalries between regions and people to gain power and take control of...
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...George Washington’s “Farewell Address” George Washington wrote a farewell speech in 1796, marking the retirement of his leadership of the United States of America. He published his goodbye, titled his “Farewell Address,” in many papers. The long, revised copy of his speech, originally intended to be read at the end of his first term, tells of how he wanted to retire four years previous, but how he had been begged to stay on. He states that he never considered himself to be worthy of leading the country, and then goes on to give his thoughts and opinions of many matters in the government. Looking at the way he had led the country for the previous eight years, and the 45 he had given to serving it, should only make this country want to heed his warnings and advice. George Washington was a great man, with the country’s best interest at heart and mind, and only gave his honest opinion regarding many subjects such as the importance of national union and the constitution. He also spoke of the evils and dangers of political parties and debt, and stressed the importance of religion and morality in our government. In all honesty, no man ever left a more dignified farewell. Many people fought and died to make this country a nation; a whole....
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...Abstract Though some of the greatest political minds of the time, including Alexander Hamilton and John Jay assisted in the effort, the final draft was Washington’s. Without question the address portrayed his ideals and principals. 1) The Benefits of Unity Washington encourages the American people to stay united “That your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual” His desire was for them to protect the sanctity of the Constitution, and to insure that it is administered with wisdom and virtue. He addresses the unity of government with the people. Washington states that unity is what will hold America together and in fact is the very foundation that supports it. "The unity of government...is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence...of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize." The American people should never take for granted the “Collective and individual happiness” and they should watch for, and take every measure at their disposal to protect these liberties from threats both from within, and outside the United States. Washington encouraged a strong infrastructure for the Union “Here every portion of our country finds the most commanding motives for carefully guarding and preserving the union of the whole” Washington foresaw the importance of a common government and unified laws, that would encourage commercial enterprise and trade between the different geographical...
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...In his piece titled “The Greatness of George Washington”, Gordon S. Wood is trying to show the reader that George Washington was great not because of his intellect or his military genius, but because of his virtuous character. When you look closely at George Washington’s life, it is evident that he was not a prominent scholar, especially when compared to some other Founding Fathers. Although he was brilliant at running his plantation, Washington never went to college, and, as Jefferson said, his “‘colloquial talents were not above mediocrity” (Oates 135). For these reasons, it is hard to imagine Washington “expressing his views on Plato in the Jefferson and John Adams did” (Oates 135). Also, even though his role as general during the Revolutionary...
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...George Washington is the first president of the United States, who is considered as the father of country. During the American Revolutionary War he becomes the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. The country counts the third century from the first President of the United States of America, and people still remember the great jobs done by George Washington. The honour George gain in the times, when no one could ever know, that America will be the leading country in the world. People, who knew George Washington, says that he was very simple person. The house of president was jus a small house, no security guards or servants. This shows George’s simplicity: he was tall, calm, conceited man, however, he was very polite, and guests in his house was always welcomed. Many writers tried to write and describe George Washington’s lifetime, achievements and aims, but many of them do it just for the payment. The first Washington’s biography is written by John Marshall; he inherit the law to use all Washington’s documents, letters. Although Marshall’s Washington was inhuman, but the notes was very helpful for other writers and researchers. The notes about George Washington also was written by romanist James Polding, historian Henry K Lodge, D. Fisher, B. Wilson and etc. Many reminiscences were written by good and famous writers about the first President of the United States, but one historian John B. McMaster said, that Washington is completely unknown person, although his biography...
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...In his autobiography “George Washington and the American Military Tradition,” Don Higginbotham explores the reciprocity of members of military, soldiers and politicians who molded George Washington’s career in military and fundamentally cultivated the achievement that made our nation independent. Higginbotham also focuses on the legacy of Washington’s triumph, showing that the important mix of civil and military affairs which was hallmark of American Revolution has been diversely considered and only rarely recapitulated by American soldiers from subsequent generations. George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Bridges Creek, Westmoreland County, Virginia. When Washington was eleven years old, his father passed away. He was tossed from one household to another after the death of his father. He spent some of his childhood with his mother who lived in Fredericksburg, with a few relatives from Westmoreland, and with his step brother in Mount Vernon....
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...Aside from being the face of the dollar bill and our first president, what do you actually know about George Washington? Bet you didn't know about his fascination towards architecture and his love for Theater. In the United States, American’s all over the nation get a day off to celebrate Presidents day, which is held on Washington’s birthday, but in reality, no one honestly cares. Although George Washington had many failures at the beginning of his career, he managed to learn from his falls. As one of our Founding Fathers, his achievements and courage have helped shape America, making Washington a notable American hero. The date of February 11th, 1732, marked the birth of Washington in Tidewater Virginia. At a young age, president Washington “...had had little education- only seven or eight years of schooling by private tutor, no training in Latin or Greek or Law… and those close to him knew, he was self-conscious about this.” (43). Although Washington lacked a proper education, at the age of 16 he was able to go on his first voyage as a surveyor's apprentice. On this voyage, George went on an expedition into the wilderness of Western Virginia over the Blue Mountains (43). During this journey, he learned a lot of different things through experience, proving his perseverance and attention to detail helped him learn along the...
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...During George Washington’s life, he made a lasting impact on the world. George inspired people to speak against England, became the first president of the United States of America, and much more. His legacy will forever be imprinted in the world as the man who paved a new road for people. George Washington was born in Virginia on February 22, 1732. He spent most of childhood time at a plantation named Ferry Farm. George gained an interest of plants at a young age. After his father’s passing when George was just eleven years old, it is believed he helped his mother manage the plantation in his father’s place. George Washington finished his formal schooling around the age of fifteen. During his schooling, George took an interest in mathematics, and from there he became a surveyor. George was introduced to surveying during his schooling. He made most of his profit from surveying in the Virginia wilderness and through his work, he was able to obtain land of his own. Even though George was a very intelligent, dedicated student, he never attended college....
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...When people think of our most prominent founding fathers, who comes to mind? George Washington? Benjamin Franklin? How about Alexander Hamilton? Often an overlooked founding father, Hamilton was a very important person in our country's history. He expertly juggled his time-consuming position in the newly-independent country with having a wife and children. He had a very rich, interesting childhood, an interesting education, and made many great achievements for a man who died at the young age of 49. Nevis of the British West Indies was his birthplace, the second of two boys. The west Indies’s distance from everything else made it the ideal dumping place for those not bad enough to be executed, yet not good enough to live with civilized people....
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...pages biography book on which author Richard Brookhiser sets the arguments to describe one of America’s founding fathers, Mr Alexander Hamilton. Richard Brookhiser takes us through the times on which Hamilton lived, accounting all the extraordinary events that surrounded and shape his life and character from his humble beginnings in St. Croix to the years he hold a position of power as the nation’s Treasury Secretary. All through the book Brookhiser explore other’s points of view about Hamilton. As all persons involved in politics Hamilton had supporters, enemies and people that could not described or comprehend what kind of American he was. Alexander Hamilton is known for many as a genius and a great economist but others point to his achievements as “forcing the dominion of big money or big government or both”(Brookhiser 4). The contrast of opinions on Hamilton serves as points of examination for Brookhiser, who put all perceptions at test with the facts of reality to create a real perspective. As the author points out on the book, “the tread that runs through every chapter, and every aspect of Hamilton’s life, is his identity as an American. The author sets to tell Hamilton’s history through ten chapters which go from the earliest accounts of Hamilton’s childhood to his last moments of agony before death. Brookhiser begins with a brief introduction into the person that Hamilton was, by taking a look onto the commemoration of independence at New York City on July 4, 1789. At...
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...Scholar Gil Troy discusses America’s early leaders George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy who tried to forge compromises and maintain civility. Gil Troy characterizes our successful Presidents as “leading from the center” as said in the reading. Troy says “history suggests what might work and what will fail”. Gil Troy reminds us of the finest traditions of presidential leadership from our nation’s past. In Gil Troy eyes, these Presidents not only succeeded because of their political visions, but because of their moderation. He discusses partisanship in the presidency and its effect on the country. And George Washington who mediated between the competing visions of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton,...
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...George Washington was a truly splendid man who I was beyond blessed to be acquainted with. Time and time again he proved to be the most dignified, wise, and sincere person that I have ever known. On top of these traits, my dear friend accomplished an outstanding number of things in his sixty seven years on this earth. Some of these achievements include his career as a land surveyor, his vital role in the French and Indian War, the part he played for our beloved state of Virginia, his major role in the Constitutional Convention, his presidency, and his time in Mount Vernon. As many may know, Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia in 1732. He was raised by his parents, Augustine and Mary, on their plantation on Pope’s Creek. As...
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...the feelings of achievement, satisfactory, and thankfulness because Columbus has made it to land. This painting was actually “commissioned by Congress in June 1836 to paint the Landing of Columbus for the Capitol Rotunda. It was installed in the Rotunda by early January 1847.” During this time in America, there were battles going on about whether or not people could worship as they pleased. Finding the new land was like a great paradise of a place where people could worship. Therefore, the artist captures this time frame by placing the men on the ground as they are worshiping. Also, Columbus is looking toward the sky almost as he is thanking God for the this new land. The artist was quite successful in his communication to the people outside looking in. The way Columbus is in the middle of the painting standing almost with an arrogance of making this land his, yet all the while thanking God for the New Land. What a great job the artist did in showing the historical background and showing people the message of when Columbus and his crew made it to land. General George Washington Resigning His Commission, by John Trumbull The painting, General George Washington Resigning His Commission, is another gorgeous painting by John Trumbull. This painting was commissioned in 1817 and was hung in the Capitol Rotunda in 1826. This painting is very similar to another painting he did, the Declaration of Independence. This painting shows George Washington’s “commission as...
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...George Washington University Commencement A) On May 19, 2013 George Washington University of Washington, D.C. held their graduation and commencement ceremonies. For their commencement speaker, they brought in Kerry Washington to send the graduates off to the real world. Kerry Washington attended George Washington University on a performing arts scholarship over a decade ago. She is a 1998 graduate of George Washington University with majors in Psychology and Anthropology. Since her graduation, Kerry has been on a path to stardom in Hollywood. She has been featured in movies such as Our Song, Bad Company, Ray, Fantastic Four, I Think I Love My Wife, For Colored Girls, and most recently in Quentin Tarantino’s hit western, Django Unchained. Kerry is also the star of her own television series, Scandal, where she plays a fixer who cleans up scandals and other problems for her clients (biography 1). Kerry’s background is an important factor in her message to her audience. Her background is her credibility, as well as her attention getter. Kerry is not only a famous actress that has a proven track record in Hollywood, but she is a graduate of the university she is speaking to, making her success seem more possible to the audience as well as putting weight and meaning to her message. Kerry’s commencement speech was given to arguably one of the hardest audiences to speak to, a group of some five thousand college students. Kerry is speaking to the large graduate class...
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...Except from Washington’s Crossing by David Hackett Fischer CONCLUSION ~ The War and the American Revolution We have a very difficult card to play. We often have to act by the moon or twilight and leave the World to judge it in the clear sunshine. -General William Maxwell to Adam Stephen, April 10, 17771 On New Year’s Day in 1777, Robert Morris sent George Washington a letter that rings strangely in a modern ear. “The year 1776 is over,” Morris wrote. “I am heartily glad of it and hope you nor America will ever be plagued with such another.” Washington shared that feeling, which was very far from our own. We celebrate 1776 as the most glorious year in American history. They remembered it as an agony, especially the “dark days” of autumn.2 Americans have known many dark days, from the starving times in early settlements to the attack on the World Trade Center. These were the testing times and the pivotal moments of our history. It was that way in 1776, after the decision for independence and the military disasters in New York. In early December, British commanders believed that they were very close to ending the rebellion, and American leaders feared that they might be right. Then came a reversal of fortune, and three months later the mood had changed on both sides. By the spring of 1777, many British officers had concluded that they could never win the war. At the same time, Americans recovered from their despair and were confident that they would...
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