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George Washington: The Early Years. Born in Virginia, 1732 Lived on a plantation Oldest of 6 children Received some education from tutors, maybe with some school Left home at 16 to accompany a survey party. Early Military Career.
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George Washington: The Early Years Born in Virginia, 1732 Lived on a plantation Oldest of 6 children Received some education from tutors, maybe with some school Left home at 16 to accompany a survey party
Early Military Career Joined the military as a major, he was appointed to this position by the royal governor Worked as an emissary for the royal governor and delivered ultimatums to the French telling them to stop settling in English territory He became a Colonel in 1754 and fought the French for control of the Ohio River Valley Washington resigned from the military in 1754 as his rank was about to be lowered due to the arrival of soldiers from Britain
Military Career Rejoined the army in 1755 at the rank of colonel Nearly died at a battle with the French, Washington was appointed command of the Virginia military forces based on his bravery Was tasked with defending the colonies frontier but lacked men and equipment to do so This led Washington to leave the military again in 1759
Political/Personal Life Married Martha Dandridge Custis and helped to raise her children from a previous marriage Managed his plantations Supported early opposition to British policies Represented Virginia at the first and second Colonial Congress Was appointed as commander of the colonial forces in 1775 Washington turned a ragtag group of militia men into a trained army
Important Battles December 26, 1775: Washington leads his men in a dangerous crossing of the Delaware river and surprises a sleepy force of Hessians in Trenton New Jersey Americans capture 1,000 Hessians and only suffer 4 casualties Washington lacked artillery and could not hold the town but the victory increased revolutionary morale and convinced them that it was worth continuing to fight
Important Battles After the Battle of Trenton Washington avoided a confrontation with a much larger British force by sneaking away Washington then led his troops around the British force and attacked their rear guard Washington lost 40 men, the British lost 275 Washington’s victory caused the British to retreat from most of New Jersey The battle is known as the Battle of Princeton