Lesson 7: George Washington vs. King George

 

Washington at Mount Vernon

George Washington vs. King George

George Washington was not the eldest child. His father died before he could go to college. Not having an inheritance, and no formal education, George had to scramble to find a mentor. His neighbors the Fairfax family were good mentors. As a teenager, he wanted to go into the military but his mother was totally against it. Instead, he became a surveyor of the wilderness of Virginia colony. He learned a little about warfare in the Virginia militia fighting the indigenous tribes. They reported that he could not be killed. As a military commander, George Washington saw many humiliating defeats. Even though the rag tag army of rebels couldn't win, George realized that he only needed to harass the British and keep them from gaining ground. George was criticized by many as an incompetent leader. When the soldiers faced their toughest winter at Valley Forge, he almost submitted his resignation. He decided to do his duty no matter the cost. Eventually, British support of the conflict waned and eventually, with the help of the French Navy's blockade, Washington was able to defeat Cornwallis at Yorktown and prevent his retreat. In all conflicts, Washington showed unusual courage and never feared for his own life. 

Tour George Washington's Estate Mount Vernon Here

Read the book George vs. George Read aloud on YouTube

Different Approaches

Washington began to believe that they could meet their objective of independence without defeating the British army. Meanwhile, British General Howe clung to the strategy of capturing colonial cities in hopes of smothering the rebellion. Howe didn't realize that capturing cities like Philadelphia and New York would not unseat colonial power. The Congress would just pack up and meet elsewhere. Source

Martha Washington: First Lady

Martha "Patsy" Dandridge was just nineteen years old when she married a man who was twenty years her senior. By the age of twenty-six, she was a widow. She was courted by Colonel George Washington, commander of the First Virginia Regiment. She accepted George and on her wedding day she wore a gown of yellow silk damask with a petticoat of cream silk highlighted with interwoven silver threads. Although somewhat faded today, Martha Washington's wedding slippers were originally a purple satin with silver ornamentation. George Washington adopted and raised her two children Jacky and Patsy Custis. Martha Washington spent considerable time directing the large staff of slaves and servants. While George Washington oversaw all financial transactions related to the plantation, Martha Washington was responsible for the not insubstantial process of harvesting, preparing, and preserving herbs, vegetables, fruits, meats, and dairy for medicines, household products and foods needed for those who lived at Mount Vernon, relatives, slaves and servants - as well as long-staying visitors. She was known for her benevolence. She travelled to the front to be with George and tirelessly worked to help sick soldiers.

Study the Battle of Saratoga and Fort Ticonderoga

Who was Henry Knox?

Learn about the song "A Toast"

Image Credit: Thomas P Rossiter and Louis R Mignot / Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain