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The governor of Virginia sent a 21-year-old named George Washington to stop the French from building a fort near the site of present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and to protest French attacks.  But in Western Pennsylvania, at Fort Necessity, the French defeated and captured him and his 400 troops.  They made him sign a statement in French (which George Washington did not understand) "confessing" that his men had assassinated some Frenchmen.  Then they released George Washington.  He remembered that lesson and in the Revolutionary War made sure that in the future he always had an aide who could understand French.  That future aide would be the very influential Founding Father named Alexander Hamilton, a brilliant man fluent in French and who had been homeschooled.

The governor of Virginia sent a 21-year-old named George Washington to stop the French from building a fort near the site of present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and to protest French attacks.  But in Western Pennsylvania, at Fort Necessity, the French defeated and captured him and his 400 troops.  They made him sign a statement in French (which George Washington did not understand) "confessing" that his men had assassinated some Frenchmen.  Then they released George Washington.  He remembered that lesson and in the Revolutionary War made sure that in the future he always had an aide who could understand French.  That future aide would be the very influential Founding Father named Alexander Hamilton, a brilliant man fluent in French and who had been homeschooled.

While George Washington was humiliated by this experience, that did not matter to the young colonies trying to assert themselves.  When he returned to Virginia, Washington was cheered as their hero.  

While George Washington was humiliated by this experience, that did not matter to the young colonies trying to assert themselves.  When he returned to Virginia, Washington was cheered as their hero.  

In all of American history, George Washington is the most honored person.  Why was he so great?  He was not personally a brilliant man.  He inspired his soldiers as a military general, but in terms of military strategy he was not particularly good.  He was somewhat inept during the French and Indian War, for example.  He never wrote much of value, and his most famous writings (such as his Farewell Address) were written by others (Alexander Hamilton wrote that one).  Try to understand as you learn more about George Washington why he is so beloved.  Most likely he was great because of his values, and how everyone knew he would stick to his principles and take the lead in defending them.

In all of American history, George Washington is the most honored person.  Why was he so great?  He was not personally a brilliant man.  He inspired his soldiers as a military general, but in terms of military strategy he was not particularly good.  He was somewhat inept during the French and Indian War, for example.  He never wrote much of value, and his most famous writings (such as his Farewell Address) were written by others (Alexander Hamilton wrote that one).  Try to understand as you learn more about George Washington why he is so beloved.  One reason is that he epitomized leadership:  when he was president and there was a rebellion in western Pennsylvania (the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794), Washington himself got on a horse and personally led a makeshift army out there to suppress it.  Yet Washington was also merciful, later pardoning those who caused the problem.  And Washington was never power-hungry, instead deciding against allowing his reelection again in 1796 after two terms (eight years).

'''Debate: [[George Washington]].  Was he great, and if so, why?'''

'''Debate: [[George Washington]].  Was he great, and if so, why?'''