...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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...as President, and shaped their ideas of the powers to be given a President, by their opinions of his virtue” (“George Washington” 127). In saying this, he meant that George Washington was a man that, in the eyes of all the chair-holders, fit all the characteristics that a President should have. For over 150 years before George Washington’s time, America was a colony of the British Empire that controlled the do’s and don’ts of the people living there. However, with the accumulation of laws and acts set forth by the distant British Empire, the...
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...British policies coming out of the French and Indian war like the taxation without representation were the main cause of the development of the revolutionary war. Although the objective of American leaders was to maintain peace, the publishing of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” convinced American leaders to declare independence from Britain; independence was obtained with the help of the noteworthy contributions of Washington and his leadership role as commander of the Continental Army. ` The Seven Years War left Britain with an enormous debt; the British felt that Americans should be grateful to the empire, so it seemed reasonable that the colonies help pay their national debt. Parliament then started making changes. Before 1763, Parliament had occasionally acted to forbid the issuance of paper money in America, but colonists frequently ignored these measures, and the British government seemed uninterested. The British Parliament nevertheless decided to outlaw colonial money, which drove up the cost of business and inflation. On top of that, they imposed new taxes on the colonies and strictly enforced them. Previously when Parliament brought laws to be passed they gave colonials the job to collect the taxes. Now this was no longer the case as they took away the colonial assemblies’ right to collect taxes. The revenue from these taxes was to...
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...The American War for Independence: Sea Power, Joint and Combined Operations: Question 7. Given the overwhelming British victories in New York and New Jersey in 1776, how was General Washington able to avoid catastrophic defeat and eventually win the war? By Julie Moss A paper submitted to the Faculty of the Naval War College in partial satisfaction of the requirements of the Department of Strategy and War. The contents of this paper reflect my own personal views and are not necessarily endorsed by the Naval War College or the Department of the Navy. Signature: /JKM/ BACKGROUND Following the French-Indian War, The American Revolution began between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the former British colonies in North America. The British power was trying to overwhelm the colonists of New America with many acts, such as the Stamp Act, the Sugar Act, and the Intolerable Acts, all of which were deemed illegitimate by the colonists and in violation of the rights as Englishmen. For the most part, colonists were trying to reject the oligarchies that were common in Europe and started to believe in Republicanism based on the Enlightenment. Many leaders took part in this Revolution; one of the most important of whom was General George Washington. His role was vital in the victory for Americans and their freedom from the power of Britain. As the war for independence approached, Washington was known throughout the American Colonies for his courage and military exploits...
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...Virginia * Children: no natural children (Adopted the children of Martha Custis) *Grandfather by marriage of Confederate General Robert E. Lee * Military Service: Commander General, Revolutionary War * Profession: Surveyor/Planter * Political Party: Federalist * Home State: Virginia * Political Offices: Chairman of Constitutional Convention * Died: December 14, 1799 (Age- 670 Last Words: “I die hard, but I am not afraid to go. “Tis well.” Buried: Mount Vernon, Virginia * Term of Office: April 30, 1789 – March 3, 1797 * Number Of Terms Elected: 2 Terms * Nickname: “Father of Our country” * First Lady: Martha Dandridge Custis * George Washington quote: “I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of me conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.” * Major Events While In Office: * Elected to first term with a unanimous electoral vote. (1789) * First United States census(1790) * District of Columbia Established(1791) * States Entering Union While in Office: * Vermont(1791) * Kentucky(1792) * Tennessee(1796) Childhood and Education Washington was born on February 22, 1732. He lost his father at age 11 and his half-brother, Lawrence, took over that role. Washington’s mother was protective and demanding, keeping him from joining the British Navy as Lawrence wanted. Lawrence owned Mount Vernon and George lived with him from the age of 16. He was schooled entirely in Colonial...
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... The Global Leader On April 30, 1789 President George Washington became the first president of the United States of America. The entire world was watching to see how Washington did as he led the United States during a period of great uncertainty. Washington’s self-awareness and inquisitiveness were instrumental in his role as a global leader. “As conflicts ensued across the globe, Washington was very careful on the decisions he made in particular, what countries he sided with” (Rothstein, 2013). In terms of global leadership competencies, Washington did what he thought best for the country. Washington’s global leadership was put to the test early in his presidency. John Jay's treaty with England had negative ramifications for the Washington administration. France claimed that the treaty violated an agreement signed with the United States during the Revolution and that it meant the United States was siding with Britain. By 1796, the French were harassing American ships and threatening punitive sanctions against the United States. Diplomacy did little to solve the problem, and in later years, American and French warships exchanged gunfire on several occasions. Washington knew that the decision he made was the right one. He was confident in his decision making and had courage to make the decision and see the treaty with Britain thru. Washington used his inquisitiveness to take initiative and move this country forward...
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...Do marriages always end happy? Martha Washington was born Martha Dandridge on June 2, 1731, in Kent County, Virginia, on the Chestnut Grove plantation. At 18 years old, Martha married Daniel Parke Custis, a rich plantation owner, in 1749. The couple would have four children, though only two, Jack and Pastsy, lived past childhood. The first two children, Daniel and Frances, died before the age of five. It is believed that Daniel died of malaria and Frances cause of death is unknown. Custis himself died in the summer of 1757, and Martha became the inheritor of his 15,000 acre estate. The death of her husband left Martha being one of the wealthiest women in Virginia. The love between Martha and George Washington. Martha met a young colonel in...
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...Revolution Part 1 Complete the grid by describing each military event and explaining its relationship to the outcome of the Revolutionary War. Military Event Description Relationship to the Outcome of the Revolutionary War Concord and Lexington Britain's General Gage would send out regiments of British soldiers quartered in Boston. Their destinations were Lexington, where they would capture Colonial leaders Sam Adams and John Hancock, then Concord, where they would seize gunpowder Shots were fired that began the war Fort Ticonderoga served as a key point of access to both Canada and the Hudson River Valley during the French and Indian War On May 10th of '75, Benedict Arnold, Ethan Allen, and the Green Mountain Boys brought it under American power for the first time. Second Continental Congress From 1774 to 1789, the Continental Congress served as the government of the 13 American colonies and later the United States. In 1775, the Second Continental Congress convened after the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) had already begun When the Second Continental Congress came together on May 10, 1775, it was, in effect, a reconvening of the First Continental Congress. Delegates from twelve of the Thirteen Colonies were present when the Second Continental Congress convened. The Congress was to take charge of the war effort Bunker Hill The battle is named after the adjacent Bunker Hill, which was peripherally involved in the battle and was the original...
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...the first president of the United States of America, is one of the most influential when it comes to the role of the president. Born on February 22, 1732 Washington was the son of Augustine and Mary Washington in Virginia. Washington later enlisted in the Great Britain Army and fought in the French and Indian War as a general who served to protect the colonies from the French’s attacks during the French and Indian War. With his help he aided the capture of Fort Duquesne. When he retired from the armed services he devoted his time to care for his landholdings. Unlike many landowners he actually worked on his land. George Washington had about 100 slaves however he has stated that he disliked the institution of slavery....
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...My topic has made an impact on society because George Washington was the first president of the United States. But he learned most of his skills from his previous career as a war general. Few have investigated the assumption that Washington was a war general solely based on the fact that he had a military background and that he could help Virginia reunite the colonies. Many people assume that Washington did no greater good during his time as a war general. George Washington was the best war general in 18th century America. The significance of George Washington being a general cannot be overstated, particularly in the context...
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...schooled in Breslau by Jesuits. He was born into a military family and became involved involved in war a very young age. Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben had many careers leading up to the Revolutionary War. Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben better know as the military engineer, became a Prussian officer at 17 years old. Von Steuben then became a member of an infantry unit and a staff officer in the French and Indian War. Von Steuben did so well that he was promoted from a member of an infantry unit to King...
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...“Give me liberty or give me death!” (Henry). Every American has heard the famous lines of Patrick Henry, Wadsworth’s poem about Paul Revere, the tale of Washington’s apple tree, and numerous other tales of the American Revolution. However, historical dates, opinions, and figures give depth and understanding to this new beginning and explain the events that led to American’s freedom. From 1775 to 1783, The Revolutionary War raged between England and her colonies in the “new world.” Because they waged the actual battles, the opposing troops played crucial roles in determining the struggle’s outcome. Their strong motives, brilliant leaders, and heroic qualities defined the American Revolution. Before the war began, dramatic tensions broke the motherland and colonies apart,...
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...Patriot Success: Washington’s Strategic Skill or British Operational and Strategic Failure Introduction Sun Tzu considered war as a necessary evil that must be avoided whenever possible. Many opportunities were presented to the British rule by the Americans to prevent the Revolutionary War and vice versa. The design, execution and effects of operations played a significant role on both sides from the outset of the war thus completely affecting the Clausewitzian Trinity of government, people, and army. Operational and strategic mistakes of the British led to Patriot success. However, it can be argued that the strategic skill of George Washington led to Patriot success. Center of Gravity The first, the supreme, the most far-reaching act of judgment that the statesman and commander have to make is to establish by that test the kind of war on which they are embarking; neither mistaking it for, nor trying to turn it into, something that is alien to its nature (Clausewitz, 88). He says this is the first of all strategic questions and the most comprehensive. Strategically, the British never established the type of war they would be committing themselves to until the passion of the people within the Colonies reached a point of no return. George Washington saw Great Britain’s center of gravity (CoG) as the will of its government (Weigley, 5). The British government deduced...
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...There are many factors that helped the colonies win the revolutionary war, despite the odds seeming to be stacked against them. However, although it possibly did not seem like it to the British at the time, the colonists did have many advantages to the British. One good example would be the geography, or the placement, of America. For starters, the British were not used to the foreign terrain of the land, which made it more difficult for them. Along with that, where they were fighting was a long distance away from the country they were fighting for. That means that it took a long time for them to get more resources and soldiers. It was not unheard of for the ships sent from Britain to America to not show up at the port; it was a long boat ride, and sometimes the colonists would hire the pirates to attack the ships....
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...and even playing cards. Members of American colonial society argued “No taxation without representation” rejecting the rules and authority of the British Parliament to tax them because they lacked representation in the parliament. This event lead to the Boston Tea Party in December 6,1773 where Boston colonists dressed as Indians threw chests of taxed tea into the harbor to protest British taxes on tea. During the American Revolution, there were also some battles involved...
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