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'''George Washington''' (1732-1799) was the first [[president of the United States]] (1789-1797) and commander in chief of the [[Continental Army]]. He was the dominant military and political leader of the new [[United States of America]] from 1775-1797, leading the American victory over [[Britain]] in the [[American Revolution]] and was the unanimous choice to serve as president. Along with [[Abraham Lincoln]], he has become the foremost icon of American nationalism and a model of the ideal [[Republicanism|republican]] union of political and military leadership. Washington endeared himself to Americans by his efforts to destroy monarchy and aristocracy. The archetype of Washington as the republican champion has become part of America's collective idealization of faith-based citizenship, and is immortalized in New York City's [[Washington Square Arch]], which depicts Washington the soldier on the left, and Washington the statesman on the right.<ref>For photographic images, see http://www.nyc-architecture.com/GV/GV046WashingtonSquareArch.htm</ref>

'''George Washington''' (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was the first [[president of the United States]] (1789–1797) and commander-in-chief of the [[Continental Army]]. He was the dominant military and political leader of the new [[United States of America]] from 1775 to 1797, leading the American victory over [[Britain]] in the [[American Revolution]] and was the unanimous choice to serve as president.

 

Along with [[Abraham Lincoln]], Washington has become the foremost icon of American [[nationalism]] and a model of the ideal [[Republicanism|republican]] union of political and military leadership. He endeared himself to Americans by his efforts to destroy monarchy and aristocracy. The archetype of Washington as the republican champion has become part of America's collective idealization of faith-based citizenship, and is immortalized in New York City's [[Washington Square Arch]], which depicts Washington the soldier on the left, and Washington the statesman on the right.<ref>For photographic images, see http://www.nyc-architecture.com/GV/GV046WashingtonSquareArch.htm</ref>

{{cquote|'''The Constitution is the guide, which I never will abandon. <small>— George Washington</small>'''}}

{{cquote|'''The Constitution is the guide, which I never will abandon. <small>— George Washington</small>'''}}

====French and Indian War====

====French and Indian War====

In April 1754 Washington returned to the Ohio country as lieutenant colonel in command of a volunteer force with the mission of checking the French and protecting an expedition sent out by the Ohio Company of Virginia to build a fort on the Ohio River, at what is now [[Pittsburgh]]. Washington discovered the French had reached the site first. They called it Fort Duquesne. In May he fired on a party of French soldiers, killing ten, including their leader, Jumonville. The French now could cite the attack on Jumonville as a cause of war. This was Washington's first battle and the first engagement of the [[French and Indian War]], which became a major war in Europe.

In April 1754 Washington returned to the Ohio country as a lieutenant colonel in command of a volunteer force with the mission of checking the French and protecting an expedition sent out by the Ohio Company of Virginia to build a fort on the Ohio River, at what is now [[Pittsburgh]]. Washington discovered the French had reached the site first. They called it Fort Duquesne. In May he fired on a party of French soldiers, killing ten, including their leader, Jumonville. The French now could cite the attack on Jumonville as a cause of war. This was Washington's first battle and the first engagement of the [[French and Indian War]], which became a major war in Europe.

On July 3 at Fort Necessity he was attacked by superior French forces led by Jumonville's brother and was compelled to surrender. The terms offered were generous and Washington returned to Virginia. Washington was criticized for his imprudence, and relations cooled between him and Dinwiddie.  

On July 3 at Fort Necessity he was attacked by superior French forces led by Jumonville's brother and was compelled to surrender. The terms offered were generous and Washington returned to Virginia. Washington was criticized for his imprudence, and relations cooled between him and Dinwiddie.  

Washington's dentist was Dr. John Greenwood.<ref name=teeth />

Washington's dentist was Dr. John Greenwood.<ref name=teeth />

He is rumored to have told Thomas Jefferson that a function of the senate is to "cool off" legislation passed from the House of Representatives, similarly to how a saucer is used to cool off hot tea.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Senate_Created.htm United States Senate]</ref><ref>[https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/senatorial-saucer Senatorial Saucer]</ref>

He is rumored to have told Thomas Jefferson that a function of the Senate is to "cool off" legislation passed from the House of Representatives, similarly to how a saucer is used to cool off hot tea.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Senate_Created.htm United States Senate]</ref><ref>[https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/senatorial-saucer Senatorial Saucer]</ref>

Washington was an accomplished dancer.  He took dancing lessons in his teenage years and enjoyed practice throughout his life.<ref>[http://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/colonial-life-today/dancing/ Dancing with General Washington]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=X1MrG9oLmvwC&pg=PT84 George Washington's Leadership Lessons: What the Father of Our Country Can Teach Us About Effective Leadership and Character]</ref>

Washington was an accomplished dancer.  He took dancing lessons in his teenage years and enjoyed practice throughout his life.<ref>[http://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/colonial-life-today/dancing/ Dancing with General Washington]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=X1MrG9oLmvwC&pg=PT84 George Washington's Leadership Lessons: What the Father of Our Country Can Teach Us About Effective Leadership and Character]</ref>

   

   

== References ==

== References ==

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{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==

== External links ==

[[Category:Conservatives]]

[[Category:Conservatives]]

[[Category:Early National U.S.]]

[[Category:Early National U.S.]]

[[Category:Virginia]]

[[Category:Virginia]]

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