George Washington's strength as a leader depended on his ability to put the general good ahead of personal gain (his ethical conduct).
George Washington view of common good or general good was of at most esteem as he is well known as a character of high morality showing that the regard of general good is more important than personal gain in the book Washington the indispensable man we see him taking into account the difference between colonist and other citizens .
George Washington gains accolades in Virginia for his performance with Braddock, but the British are not so impressed with the young militiaman. The British move out of the area and George recruit’s locals to help protect colonists against raiding Indians. George appeals to the recently installed Lord Loudoun, the British officer who is to assume command of the American forces, but Loudoun dispenses only tactics and strategy, not support.
George falls into a desolate period when he cannot raise enough recruits, he contracts tuberculosis, and Sally Fairfax refuses to return his communications with her. War finally declared between the French and English on American soil, and George is called into service once more for his prowess in the wilderness areas.
In this chapter, desperation, and disillusion, by his compatriots, Washington was regarded as the hero of Braddock’s defeat. Had he not urged the regular General to adopt a different method of warfare? When finally permitted. Had he not led the survivors out of the Indian ambush? His reputation now passed beyond the borders of Virginia, becoming. Franklin was reported to have praised him, and a preacher intoned that God had surely preserved the youth during the holocaust for some excellent service to the country. The British regular officers who had served with him endorsed his “courage and resolution.” But the official British inquiry into the defeat reached a conclusion opposite to that of Washington admirers: the army’s disastrous panic attributed to colonials, men like Washington who had persuaded the common soldiers that if they fought Indians on the only way that it was correct to fight, they would annihilate. (Washington: indispensable man, Pg 27)
During the shank of the fighting season followed by the Braddock’s defeat, there were some Indian raids- about seventy settlers were killed or reported missing-but the frontier was not aflame. Washington’s greatest problem grounded on the pretensions of the English in relation colonials and on rivalries between colonies themselves
He was able to coordinate to great effect with the state governors, and the Congress as well as their militias (Flexner 397). Washington’s greatest strength was the passionate allegiance of his officers. Despite his training by the Fairfax’s, he had repudiated the British system that based military rank on family influence. Although he believed that men with positions in their neighborhood would be the more likely to procure recruits and them obeyed, he tried to find among them the ablest. And he was determined to base subsequent promotion entirely based on merit. A captain wrote the juvenile colonel, “I have altogether depended on you for protection and am sensible that, as far as justice is on my side, I may depend on your favor” (Washington: indispensable man, pg 31)
In Washington: indispensable man chapters a new call to arms and a Virginian in Yankee land. George Washington revels in the life of a planter, including the country lifestyle of games and hunting foxes, and invests much time in the breeding of horses and hound dogs. George and Martha also become consummate hosts to thousands of guests in the years leading up to the revolution. During this time, Washington also becomes executor and substitute father of the families of nearby dying neighbors and earns much respect from those in the area who appreciate George's integrity in all matters.
Although Washington considers himself to be of sturdy English heritage, George also inherently understands that the American people cannot remain under the domination of the British. George would prefer that any conflict would pass without significant casualties.
In this note, we view Washington as a man capable of discerning between the possibilities of a revolt regardless of his background and his determination to secure freedom at the cost of strategic revolutions to spare bloodshed
He was able to talk the officers out of a rebellion against the continental cabinet since it would have served no greater good. For example in Washington: indispensable man chapter ten an early triumph. Buoyed by optimism, Washington predicts that the war will be over in a few months; however, the British army blockaded in Boston Harbor is a formidable opponent, forcing the Continental Army into a harsh winter without the proper clothes or shelter. Moreover, the current Continental soldiers' enlistment ends at the end of the year, forcing Washington into heavy recruitment during the bleak winter months. Before long, Washington learns of George III's intention to hire German or Russian soldiers to supplement the British troops in Massachusetts.
Fueled by renewed patriotic enthusiasm from the words of Thomas Paine's rhetoric in Common Sense, Washington rallies his troops for a nighttime attack on the British forces in Boston Harbor.
Washington never had the desire to seize power despite the victories that he handed the continental forces. When the wars concluded, he resigned his post rather than using it to step into authority Washington retired from presidency just after two terms only despite being widely accepted by the American people (Bordewich 210). As a founding father, Washington did not use his influence to stay in office until his death hence created the two-term tradition that is still in use today. In the years that followed he maintained a non-partisan stance on political matters even though he supported the Federalist Party’s policies.
His presidency saw the increased unification of rival factions within the young nation. He was in support of Alexander Hamilton’s idea of creating a national bank, implanting an operational tax structure for the country, instituting a stable seat of government, and the satisfaction of all debts (Washington 43). He oversaw a period of peace with Great Britain while facilitating trade between the two nations hence ensuring stable financial growth that profited the country.
George Washington played a central role in the shaping of early American history as a soldier and a statesman. Remembered as the first President of the United States as well as a vital member of the founding fathers of the American nation (O'Brien 19). His key roles in the American history were in the American Revolution War as the Continental Army’s Commander in Chief and the drafting of the US Constitution during the 1787 convention. He was instrumental in taking Boston and driving out the British. In New York, defeated by the British forces but did not suffer significant causalities that would have otherwise force him to surrender. Washington credits victories to his military knowledge and careful planning whereby his strategy and tactics gave him victories against the British, and yet the Britons had more personnel.
PROVE:
Washington reaches New York on April 13, 1776, to discover that every advantage the geography there offered a naval power was also a bayonet aimed at such an army as his. Manhattan Island was too long to be entirely defended with the forces he had and so narrow that command at the little city at the tip trapped by a quick march to the opposite shore of soldiers landed from boats above the town. Military strategies indicated that the city abandoned to the enemy –or better yet burned-while a defensive line was set up further north of Hudson, where accommodating highlands dominated the river. But Washington agreed with Congress that in the current political situation when public opinion had not coalesced in opposition to Great Britain, the effect on the morale of abandoning-not to speak of burning- a major city would be disastrous. And so Washington occupied New York as best he could. His moral conduct is evident in the discipline of principle and virtue to do what is right or general good over self-gain. (Washington: indispensable man, Pg. 77)
At the age of 15, Washington had the opportunity to be secured an appointment into the Royal Navy (Flexner 38). His mother who was a widow at the time objected the offer, a simple gesture that would later shape his destiny and character as a man. He accompanied his older brother, Lawrence, to Barbados believing a change of climate would help his ailing brother recover from tuberculosis (45). While on the trip his face became scarred after he contracted smallpox. Washington practiced land survey as a profession before he joined the army. As the Culpeper County surveyor just at the age of 17, he was in a position that many could use to acquire land for themselves illegitimately, but he did not. George Washington instead saved up money from his work and was able to buy property in the Shenandoah Valley after a while legally (65). All of the following property that he purchased in Western Virginia acquired through hard work.
Flexner’s portrayal of George Washington is that of a human being of impeccable personal qualities although not without blemish in entirety. He always sought to protect Tories as long as they did not commit treason since he believed that they were all Americans (Flexner 138). With He gallantly led the continental forces against the British and after victory spearheaded the creation of a one country opposing any form of sectarianism. When offered the opportunity to be the king, he rejected it and instead focused creating a federal government system.
Washington was not born into riches, but he learned that through hard work he could rectify his situation. Washington inherited a farm from his father and another from his older brother who had served as his surrogate father. He worked hard on his farm like any other hardworking farm owners at the time. Even though he owned slaves as it was a norm during those days in colonial America, he treated them well.
Conclusion
George Washington is a remarkable person with the traits of a hero and the heart of a champion. His defeat against British powers shows his patriotism and love for his nation. Washington’s remarkable spirit to put the general good over personal gain makes him one of the best politicians and most importantly one of the best presidents in US history.
Work Cited
Washington, George. Flexner, James Thomas. Washington: The indispensable man. Open Road Media, 2017.
Washington, George. The Writings of George Washington. Vol. 4. GP Putnam ‘Sons, 1889
Flexner, James Thomas. George Washington and the new nation, 1783-1793. Little, Brown and Company, 1977
Washington, George, et al. The Papers of George Washington. Vol. 4. University Press of Virginia, 1983.
