George Washington

Ms. Alexander US History at Moorpark High School

What do you know about President Washington?

His early life

• He was born on February 22, 1732 Westmoreland, Virginia (by the way, Lincoln was also born in February and this is the reason why we celebrate President’s Day in February) • He had eight brothers and sisters • His father died when he was young (11 years old) • He was very close to his half brother, Lawrence Washington • When Lawrence passed away he left his estate, Mount Vernon to George

What jobs did Washington have?

• Scout and surveyor – Means he went around and measured the areas and described them • Farmer – He ran a plantation that grew a lot of food including wheat • Military leader – Leader for British in French and Indian War – Commander of the Colonial Army in the Revolutionary War • President – First Constitutional President of the USA!

What was so important about George Washington?

• He did a lot to set the tone for the United States and President • He knew what he did was important and could affect the future of the country

A Leader is Honest

• He knew he could not do the job by himself so he had people around him to help him, his ‘cabinet’

A Leader is Courageous

• When he was a military leader he was constantly being shot at but he never hid. There were even bullet holes in his uniform!

• When he retired, he told the country to avoid involvement with other countries – This is called neutrality – Not everyone agreed with him and it took courage to speak out

A Leader takes Personal Responsibility • He owned slaves and knew it was wrong. • When he died, he freed his slaves in his will. He also offered his former slaves jobs.

A leader uses good judgment

• When he became President he decided to dress as a… – Civilian, this means he dressed as a regular person, not a military leader – He did not want to seem “power hungry” • He felt the president should be in office for only two terms-he did not want the president to become too powerful.

• He selected the land where our national capital would be.

A leader learns from his mistakes • When he was serving in the military he lost many battles…but never gave up • He learned from his mistakes and came up with great ideas such as attacking on a holiday (Christmas)

A leader is humble

• When asked what to call him he simply said… –

Mr. President

• He did not brag about his accomplishments • He was a leader by

example

• He knew he was not the best at everything- this is why he created the presidential cabinet

Fun Facts about Mr. President

• He wanted an education but because his father died when he was young he could not go to school, he even tried to create a national university when he was president • His teeth were not wooden- they were made of hippopotamus tusk or old teeth • There is no proof that he cut down a cherry tree • He was 6’2” tall and 175 pounds • He was a great dancer!

Pictures from DC and Mount Vernon

Remember…