George Washington s Influence On The United States

George Washington played a critical role in the development of the United States from the early stages. He is one of the Founding Fathers, the men who led the revolution against Great Britain and established the United States of America. George Washington can be considered a â€Å"seed† as in he planted himself into the system and grew into the man many define as the greatest president to ever serve our nation. Washington was the first president of the United States. Washington had-in the words of the French Minister-†the soul, look, and figure of a hero.†Ã¢â‚¬  (Making of a Nation Page 122)His religious denomination was Episcopalian, he was part of the Federalist party, and he married Martha Dandridge at twenty-six years old. Washington was a†¦show more content†¦He won the skirmish before he was captured by the French about fifty miles south of his destination. In the year 1758, he became a brigade commander. Washington was the only American to ever ach ieve this rank during the war. Washington would pursue the life of a Virginia planter and farmer for sixteen years until eventually returning to the military again in 1775. He was elected â€Å"General and Commander in Chief† of all continental forces on June 15, 1775. On Christmas night, 1776, Washington and his men crossed the Delaware River and attacked the unsuspecting Hessian mercenaries at Trenton. This attack forced the Hessians to surrender. Several days later Washington launched another attack on the British, and this time the British were dealt a humiliating loss at Princeton. Around nine hundred Hessians were taken as prisoners. These two defeats forced the British to withdraw their troops to eastern New Jersey, and it gave the Americans some hope that they could win independence from the British. Washington and his men endured an extremely harsh winter from 1777 to 1778 at Valley Forge. He had a deep hatred for the British that was like a flame, and that flame bur ned brighter and hotter with each victory he attained over the British. Washington led the young and prospering nation through many crises and challenges during his military career. His experiences he gained