George Washingtons Impact on U.S - Free Essay Example

George Washington, born on February 22, 1732 in Virginia, was the first president of the United States of America. â€Å"Realizing that the way he handled the job would impact how future presidents approached the position, he handed down a legacy of strength, integrity and national purpose.† Washington showed his strong role of leadership through being the commander of the Continental Army through the American Revolutionary War. Before becoming president, Washington began working as a Surveyor. Being the first president, George Washington had major impacts on America socially, economically and politically. Washington had an effect on main events such as The French and Indian war, the American Revolution, the Whiskey Rebellion and more. Being the first president, the actions that George Washington took would affect how future generations follow. He set precedents that were then followed by future presidents, such as the formation of a cabinet, which are heads of the executive departments. An additional precedent set by Washington was the precedent of American neutrality. He knew that for a new nation, trade was necessary, but that alliances may force it into a war. He was the one who set the ground of the U.S. foreign policy in his Farewell Address. His Farewell Address served as a warning of the dangers of of having permanent alliances with other nations. Even though he supported economic ties to other countries, he warned the nation to divert from political commitments with other nations. Washington also strengthened the new government through the support of Hamilton’s financial policies, like when it came to the Whiskey Rebellion. The Whiskey Rebellion took place when the farmers refused to pay excise taxes on the whiskey that they had produced. This is when George Washington, â€Å"left with little recourse and at the urgings of Secretary Hamilton, Washington organized a militia force of 12,950 men and led them towards Western Pennsylvania†, (mountvernon.org) and the Whiskey Rebellion started. Washington taking these actions demonstrated his intentions to enforce the federal law. When it came to the American Revolution, Washington was responsible for gathering and training the continental army and being the colonial commander in chief. â€Å"Washington proved to be a better general than military strategist. His strength lay not in his genius on the battlefield but in his ability to keep the struggling colonial army together. His troops were poorly trained and lacked food, ammunition and other supplies. However, Washington was able to give them the direction and motivation to keep going.† (history.com) This shows that the military skills of these soldiers weren’t ideal but Washington’s leadership role outweighed that. Washington had a part in the French and Indian war in that â€Å"in December 1752, Washington, who had no previous military experience, was made a commander of the Virginia militia. He saw action in the French and Indian War and was eventually put in charge of all of Virginia’s militia forces.† (history.com) After Washington decided to resign from his position in the military, he was asked to fight with the British in the French and Indian war. â€Å"This military position offered Washington his first real experience fighting alongside an experienced military professional. Additionally, he took keen interest in the strategies of the British army. These observations would later allow Washington to attempt to predict the movements of the British forces during the Revolutionary War.† (georgewashington.org) The fact that Washington took this opportunity to fight in the French and Indian War after he resigned, gave him the experience that he needed to later fight in t he Revolutionary War.