French and Indian War
In 1753, The French began expanding their military control into the Ohio Country, a territory claimed by the British colonies of Virginia and Pennsylvania. These competing claims led to the start of the French and Indian War. Governor Dinwiddie sent Major Washington to deliver a letter informing the French of those claims and asking them to leave.Washington met with Half-King and other Iroquois leaders allied to Virginia to secure their support in case of conflict with the French. The French refused to leave the area. Washington was sent back to the Ohio Country to protect an Ohio company group building a fort. A french force drove out the company and began building Fort Duquesne. Washington and his militia ambushed the French and killed Joseph Coulon de jumonville. The French responded by capturing Washington at Fort Necessity. He was allowed to return with his troops back to Virginia. Washington was young and inexperienced at the time, because of his decision to attack the French, he lit the spark that would begin the French and Indian War.
Washington became the senior aide to British General Edward Braddock. He did this because he wanted to have support from British officers. All British officers all outranked any American officers and Washington disliked this. He wanted to make it more equal or join the British army. He told General Braddock how to attack the French. Braddock listened to Washington's instructions and marched his troops on with them in a line. The French and their Indian allies easily defeated the British who were out in the open. After suffering many casualties, the British retreated in disarray. Washington rode back and forth across the battlefield, rallying the remains of the American and British forces for an organized retreat. He was one of the only men to not have been injured at all. Somehow instead of taking the blame for telling Braddock what to do, Washington was hailed as a hero. All over the colonies and Britain he was being published in newspapers for his bravery when the British retreated. Dinwiddie rewarded Washington with a comission as Colonel of the Virginia Regiment and Commander in Chief of all forces now raised in the defense of His Majesty's Colony. The Virginia Regiment was the first full-time American military unit in the colonies. Many of his battles were defeats and Washington's military career was full of failures. But by sheer luck, he managed to avoid most of the blame and look good. In 1758, he participated in the Forbes Expedition to capture Fort Duquesne. He was embarrassed yet again in a friendly fire episode. He was not involved in any other major fighting and the British won a strategic victory. Following the expedition, Washington retired from his military life until the revolution.
Although he did not gain the commission in the British army he wanted, he gained valuable military, political, and leadership skills. He closely observed British military tactics and kept notes. He developed a command presence. He learned to organize, train, drill, and discipline his companies and regiments. He learned tactics and strategy.
Washington became the senior aide to British General Edward Braddock. He did this because he wanted to have support from British officers. All British officers all outranked any American officers and Washington disliked this. He wanted to make it more equal or join the British army. He told General Braddock how to attack the French. Braddock listened to Washington's instructions and marched his troops on with them in a line. The French and their Indian allies easily defeated the British who were out in the open. After suffering many casualties, the British retreated in disarray. Washington rode back and forth across the battlefield, rallying the remains of the American and British forces for an organized retreat. He was one of the only men to not have been injured at all. Somehow instead of taking the blame for telling Braddock what to do, Washington was hailed as a hero. All over the colonies and Britain he was being published in newspapers for his bravery when the British retreated. Dinwiddie rewarded Washington with a comission as Colonel of the Virginia Regiment and Commander in Chief of all forces now raised in the defense of His Majesty's Colony. The Virginia Regiment was the first full-time American military unit in the colonies. Many of his battles were defeats and Washington's military career was full of failures. But by sheer luck, he managed to avoid most of the blame and look good. In 1758, he participated in the Forbes Expedition to capture Fort Duquesne. He was embarrassed yet again in a friendly fire episode. He was not involved in any other major fighting and the British won a strategic victory. Following the expedition, Washington retired from his military life until the revolution.
Although he did not gain the commission in the British army he wanted, he gained valuable military, political, and leadership skills. He closely observed British military tactics and kept notes. He developed a command presence. He learned to organize, train, drill, and discipline his companies and regiments. He learned tactics and strategy.
The American Revolution
Although Washington expressed disapproval against the British acts, he was still a moderate. He did not take a leading role in the colonial resistance until the Townshend Acts. After the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, the colonies went to war. Washington was nominated and appointed Major General and Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Washington led his men against the British and lost many battles. However, he never surrendered his army and managed to retreat. British generals Howe and Cornwallis made many mistakes against Washington. Often when they had the chance to finish him off, they relented and took a break, giving the American troops precious time to escape. Washington recruited regulars and assigned General von Steuben, a German professional to train his troops. Finally in 1776, the hard work paid off. American troops drove out the British from Boston in March. Even though the British disliked most patriots, they praised Washington about his character and qualities as a military commander. In August of 1776, General Howe launched a massive campaign designed to seize New York. The Americans were badly outnumbered, and many men deserted. Washington was forced to retreat across the East River. The future of the Continental Army was hanging by a thread. Many enlistments were going to expire and the string of losses discouraged people from joining or re-enlisting. On Christmas Day, Washington led a surprise attack on the Hessians by crossing the Delaware. He captured nearly 1000 Hessians in Trenton. The British were seeking revenge and pursued Washington to Princeton. As night fell, he outfoxed them again by leaving very little of his forces to make noises of men building encampments at night. Then he surprised the British in early morning from the other direction. These victories raised American moral and enthusiasm for the war, which was dwindling at the time. Washington and Congress reorganized the army with increased rewards for staying and punishment for desertion. In the late summer of 1777, General Howe and General Burgoyne managed to defeat Washington in battles too complex for his inexperienced troops. However, At the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777 Howe outmaneuvered Washinton and attacked Philadelphia, the capital, unopposed. Washington unsuccessfully attacked the British garrison at Germantown. Meanwhile, Burgoyne, out of reach from help from Howe, was forced to surrender his entire army at Saratoga, New York. It was a major turning point. France then joined forces with the Americans.
In the winter, Washington's army stayed at Valley Forge. It was a tough winter for the men. But in the spring, the army emerged from Valley Forge in good order because they received professional help and training. The British had to evacuate Philadelphia and fought Washington at Monmouth. It was a draw and proved that the Americans were skilled enough to take on the British in their own style of warfare. Washington's final major win was at Yorktown on October 17, 1781 against General Cornwallis. The French navy prevented Cornwallis from receiving any help. Cornwallis had to surrender and it marked the end of major fighting in continental North America. Although the Americans won, Washington had another reason to grieve. His son, Jack, went to watch the battle of Yorktown from afar. After the battle, he fell ill and died. Washington had at that point, lost all his children.
On December 4th, at Fraunces Tavern, Washington formally bade his officers farewell. His farewell was so touching that after he left, all two dozen of the battle-hardened veterans were in tears. On December 23, 1783, he resigned as commander-in-chief. Not a single man in Congress was able to keep their composure and Washington was unable to finish his farewell speech. He gave up his uniform and slowly walked out with a heavy heart. This act shocked all of Europe. Many European leaders believed Washington would keep his power and rule America. King George III called Washington "the greatest character of the age" because he proved he could resist the allure of power. No other man was able to do that. He stands out, for being one of the only men in history to be presented with such power, and turning it down in an instant.
In the winter, Washington's army stayed at Valley Forge. It was a tough winter for the men. But in the spring, the army emerged from Valley Forge in good order because they received professional help and training. The British had to evacuate Philadelphia and fought Washington at Monmouth. It was a draw and proved that the Americans were skilled enough to take on the British in their own style of warfare. Washington's final major win was at Yorktown on October 17, 1781 against General Cornwallis. The French navy prevented Cornwallis from receiving any help. Cornwallis had to surrender and it marked the end of major fighting in continental North America. Although the Americans won, Washington had another reason to grieve. His son, Jack, went to watch the battle of Yorktown from afar. After the battle, he fell ill and died. Washington had at that point, lost all his children.
On December 4th, at Fraunces Tavern, Washington formally bade his officers farewell. His farewell was so touching that after he left, all two dozen of the battle-hardened veterans were in tears. On December 23, 1783, he resigned as commander-in-chief. Not a single man in Congress was able to keep their composure and Washington was unable to finish his farewell speech. He gave up his uniform and slowly walked out with a heavy heart. This act shocked all of Europe. Many European leaders believed Washington would keep his power and rule America. King George III called Washington "the greatest character of the age" because he proved he could resist the allure of power. No other man was able to do that. He stands out, for being one of the only men in history to be presented with such power, and turning it down in an instant.