History finds him a young soldier with growing command.

Witnessed assassination of French ambassador in French & Indian War

Loved (probably) Sally Fairfax but she was married, so married up with Martha instead, and still remained friends with the Fairfaxes.

Took stringent interest in his business dealings, much more than Jefferson and other Virginia planters elite; took others’ failure to meet expectations as affront.

Mount Vernon started putting him into debt and out of control; both he hated.

In 1766 moved away from tobacco toward wheat, fish, corn; first prominent guy to start producing linen and wool (economic freedom).

Pursued land in Ohio River Valley against British wishes and realized Indians fate before others (anti-idealism and sentimentalism).

Selected to command army before army was created.

Marrying Martha was most important decision to shape his life, but accepting Army command shaped his place in history.

Rejected slaves as soldiers initially but soon changed his mind.

Responded quickly to smallpox epidemic with inoculations.

Was illogically aggressive at New York, so after Trenton-Princeton surprise victories he got more selective and defensive.

John Marshall and Marquis de Lafayette served under him, as did Hamilton and Monroe.

Letters to Lafayette revealed humor and human side.

German volunteer Baron von Steuben injected uniformity and discipline into Continental army.

Others had fear Washington wouldn’t give up power a la Rome and England because he wanted to keep standing army.

Cared more about land than money or stocks because was the only tangible measure of success.

The war got rid of monarchy and British rule, but not the world of privilege and rank, which Washington still liked.

Made some noise about abolitionist ideas, but didn’t follow up.

Feared a weak Congress more than Britain-esque excessive federal power.

Didn’t want to come out of retirement and lead something that would fail after his glorious exit.

Presided for Constitutional Convention and spoke only once.

Didn’t like the vagueness in the Constitution because it seemed like a failure.

Earned quasi-king status rather than inherited; big difference.

No republican government had ever tried to reign over land and people so large and diffuse.

Slavery and monarchy: the ghosts at the banquet at Constitutional Convention.

Personally led army out to crush Whiskey Rebellion.

Distributed his personal wealth to entire family so his family name wouldn’t live forever but only as father of country.

Life was episodes of self-denying decisions resulting in later successes.