...George Washington, Sun Tzu’s Apprentice The American defeat of the British during the Revolutionary War was a direct result of George Washington’s incredible leadership and generalship which showed the greatness of Sun Tzu’s “Art of War”. The key to the success of the American Revolution was the George Washington himself. Faced with an almost impossible task of defeating a powerful enemy, Washington was required to defy the odds. So how does Washington’s accomplishment of this task relate to Sun Tzu and his teachings of “The Art of War”? There crucial points come to light: Washington’s selection as to command the Continental Army and inherent command capabilities, Washington’s strategy for winning the war against the Empire of Great Britain, and the art of maneuver that eventually lead to the critical defeat of Cornwallis and the British at Yorktown. George Washington was the greatest leader to choose for the revolutionary war. Sun Tzu said a leader needs to have wisdom, sincerity, humanity, courage, and strictness. These five crucial traits are shown in Washington’s strategy to win the War of independence. Washington was the embodiment of everything fine in the American character. In caring for his troops and their families he would spend his own money to help them. Washington brought more than just military ability and statesmanship to the Revolution he brought character. General Washington was respected not just by the rank and file, but also by people in all parts of...
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...The Military Life of George Washington George Washington was born in a British colony in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on February 17, 1732 and died in Mount Vernon, Virginia, on December 14, 1799. During the time between Washington’s occupation as a land surveyor in his youth and becoming the first president of these great United States he fought in the French and Indian War for the British then the Revolutionary War against the British. All of Washington’s battles were fought with the upmost courage and character. George Washington’s military life began when Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie appointed him as military adjutant, with the rank of major in the Virginia militia. The job of a military adjutant was to teach soldiers...
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...Forging Freedom: Washington's Leadership in 1776 How did a ragtag American army stand against the strongest military in 1776? They did so with the strong leadership of their commanders and generals, who would go on to lead America to victory in the Revolutionary War. Of all the generals, General George Washington would be especially praised for his victory in the Revolutionary War. He would also be praised for leading a ragtag army against the British army in Boston and New York. General George Washington’s leadership and military strategy would ultimately prepare him for the siege of Boston and the defense of New York. With this, 1776 by David McCullough displays the year as a turning point in American history, where George Washington showcased his preparation for the fight against the British forces and his military strategy which would lead America to victory, making the book an important read for AP history students....
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...these are not words that you commonly associate with George Washington, but as it turns out he was a master at all of those. Even though he is primarily known as the father of our country and our first president; he was also a master spy. Washington was a Visionary Leader and Ethical Leader while leading our nation’s fight for freedom from the British, and as the country’s first president. In this paper we will review how he used visionary traits to win the revolutionary war, and then we will discuss how his strong ethical traits ensured our country remained true to its founding principles. I will then describe how I used many of the same Visionary Leadership and Ethical Leadership traits while I served in Afghanistan....
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...weak, and esteem to all” George Washington. This quote was said by one of the most intelligent, ambitious military genius; George Washington. Washington used his mind in fighting war instead of just brute force. He turned the battlefield and the art of war into a chess match. Washington’s efforts in the Revolutionary War were very significant I that they ultimately help lead to the American victory in the Revolutionary War. “Washington’s genius lay in his understanding of power, both military power and political power, an understanding unmatched by that of any of his contemporaries.” (Morgan, p6) Washington’s military tactics where showcased in many battles of the Revolutionary War, such as the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, and the Battle of Yorktown. During these battles Washington was able to out think and out whit the British by devising schemes that led him to victory in each of these battles. So, how significant were George Washington’s military strategies in winning the Revolutionary War? George Washington was the oldest son of Augustine Washington and his second wife, Mary Ball Washington. He was born on February 22, 1732 in present day Westmoreland County, Virginia. Washington spent many of his early days on the family estate on Pope Creeks along the Potomac River. While he was there he received somewhat of an education learning different subjects such as mathematics, surveying, the classics, and “rules of civility.” At age 11 Washington’s father died in 1743,...
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...12-6-16 Teacher: Mr.Hill Luke Holmberg Core: 1 George Washington was important to U.S history because he was the first President of the United States. Before that he was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He was born on February 22, 1732. He was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia,VA his parents were Mary Ball Washington and Augustine Washington. George Washington was associated two times in Germantown's contribution to American history. During the Revolutionary War in 1777 George Washington led the U.S Army to the battle of Germantown. George Washington's Army was forced to retreat so the British won, but both sides had major losses of men. This battle...
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...George Washington and the Revolutionary War Have you ever wondered how this nation formed or who helped create it.There were many important people during the revolutionary war that made the united states what it is today,so how did people like George Washington steer America even through the harshest times. Where did he get his military experience? Before George Washington became a general in the revolutionary war he was a surveyor and mapmaker, which means he surveyed the land and then created maps about that area this helped him in the revolutionary war because he could look at an area and quickly perceive a route his troops can take. Before Washington was with the us army, he was the aide to a British general he learned valuable...
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...This year in American history we learned how we won our independence from Great Britain in the Revolutionary war. The Revolutionary war was fought from 1775 to 1783. The leader of the American army was George Washington and the leader of the British army was King George the 3rd. Some weaknesses of the American continental army was that the army always had a shortage of men having no more than 20,000 troops at one time or place. Also the men were poorly trained and they had small navy. Some strengths of the American army were their Patriotism. Also they had a good commander George Washington. Some strengths of the British army were that they were well trained, equipped, and had an army of 42,000 troops at the beginning of the war. Some weaknesses...
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...George Washington Shaped America into Greatness Amanda Villeso American History Mr. David 4-24-17 “Give me liberty or give me death”(“Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death” Speech.”). George Washington definitely applied this saying when fighting in the Revolutionary War. Washington being called the Father of His Country has done many wonderful things for everyone. Being the leader of the Patriots, he had lived a successful and long life. Thomas Jefferson said “On the whole, his character was, in its mass, perfect, in nothing bad, in a few points indifferent; and it may truly be said that never did a nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great…” (“Revolutionary-War.net.” “Greatest Stories Ever Told”) To think it all started here and in the end people like Jefferson would be saying things like this about him. George Washington’s family, education, and military career has helped America become a better country for all....
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...The leader I chose from my table was Alexander Hamilton. His Machiavellian manipulation of people around him and his innate ability to get things done makes him an excellent example of leadership. . Born to a prostitute whose husband ran away and had her imprisoned, he displayed an early affinity for politics by negotiating a job with the British East India Company despite being six years too young at the age of eight. His mother died at ten years old to disease, but Alexander found a man willing to take him in. When that man committed suicide, Alexander went to live on his own. When he was fourteen, a hurricane struck his town and destroyed everything he had. Undeterred, he made the most of the situation and wrote a story about the events. His writing was so good the leader of his village led an effort to raise money for him to go to college in America. He had made his way up from a child who should have never been born to the prodigy of his hometown. When he...
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...George Washington was the first President of the United States of America, and general of the revolutionary war. George was a Virginia planter, surveyor, and land speculator for 15 years, before he got into conventional armies. Despite having small practical experience in handling large, conventional armies, Washington proved to be a capable and resilient leader of the American military forces during the war. In July of 1775, George Washington accompanied Braddock on an expedition and served as an aide-de-camp. Braddock assigned Washington to several duties during the war which gained him recognition. Although Washington was only a volunteer, he saved Braddock’s army from extermination during the French and Indian War. Moreover, in 1775,...
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...French Indian War and George Washington: Shaping Our Countries Independence HIST 101 American History to 1877 Nicholas R. Arrivey American Military University Professor Sine The French and Indian War: Shaping Our Countries Independence The French and Indian War lasted from 1756 – 1763, lasting seven long years. Compared to other significant events in our great countries history (like the Revolutionary War), how could these mere seven years play such a huge role in shaping our countries independence? Could it be because of the outcome of the war? Or could it be because of the personnel who took part during the French and Indian War? One key person who was involved in this war and is a founding father of the country is President George Washington. His role in this war helped him gain leadership traits and abilities that guided him to shape the great country. The French and the British were involved in a conflict over the Ohio Valley during the early 1750s. The main conflict was due to the French and the British expanding their territories over the land while crossing paths in Ohio. The French had already set up trading posts in Ohio. Once the British entered into Ohio they also set up trading posts, which the French viewed as the British impeding on their commerce they gained from the Indians. Mount Vernon Non-Profit states, “In 1744 the Iroquois signed the Treaty of Lancaster with the British, which ceded Iroquois claims in Maryland and Virginia. While the Iroquois...
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...large in American history as George Washington. His powerful leadership, determination, and endless patriotism was essential for winning the Revolutionary War, the creation of the United States Constitution, and the establishment of a new government. There are three defining events that happened to George during his life in colonial America. His proper childhood upbringing, his military leadership in the revolutionary war, and his election as the First President of the United States were the 3 most powerful events that took place in his life. As time passed, his legend has continually grown. He was made up of honesty, strength, and humbleness. We are told he could never tell a lie. We are told he could throw a coin across the Potomac. He was offered an American crown, but turned it down for democracy. Time may have turned great myths out of small truths, but the contributions this one man gave to the creation of the American nation is denied by no one. George Washington was born into a prosperous and strict family that owned a plantation in Virginia. George was 11 when his father died. George's mother, Mary, a tough and driven woman, struggled to keep their home together. George never received more than an elementary school education. Young George held a gift for mathematics. This skill for numbers combined with his confidence and ambition caught the attention of Lord Fairfax who was head of one of the most powerful families in Virginia. George started to work as a surveyor...
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...George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia on February 22, 1732. He was born into a middle class family, his father Augustine and mother Mary, moved the family up the well-known Potomac River, to another Washington owned plantation called Little Hunting Creek. This was in 1735, only three years later the family packed up and moved again. This time to Ferry Farm, opposite of Fredericksburg Virginia, This was finally the place George would call home, for much of his childhood and youth years. George lived a normal child’s life for the time period. A little better off than most, he was homeschooled in his younger years, where he learned math, geography, Latin and the English classics. Like many people he gained most of his knowledge and understanding of life by watching other people. He mastered the art of growing tobacco, and how to run a plantation. A major...
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...the Americans go through during the course of this story, the outcome of the war would be a positive success to the Americans. As a result, good leadership is a very important factor in accomplishing a goal. Also, encouragement is a big help when it comes to boosting a soldier’s morale. Furthermore, endurance is vital to an army and a war’s success based on the spirit of the men and the devotion to their cause. To begin, a leader has to be both disciplined and commanding. There are many men that can have this position, but George Washington is the ultimate man that best fits these criteria. The author describes him as the man that has, “The look and bearing of a man accustomed to respect and to being obeyed” (McCullough, 42). This is very crucial of a great leader because his followers will believe in whatever he says and they will cooperate with him. Thus, Washington had the charm and the ability to make people respect him due to his behavior and his way of interacting with people. In doing so, this helps him in gaining other people’s respect over the years as both a military leader and as the first President of the United States of America. Additionally, good leadership is not the only factor of the Revolutionary War’s success, but encouragement also helps boost a soldier’s morale when he is fighting. In the book, the reader finds a powerful testimony of a soldier that is fighting in the Battle of Bunker Hill and is appalled by the carnage of war...
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