Role of Leadership in Role of Leadership in the American the American

RevolutionRevolution

Washington Washington

Successful Revolutions require Successful Revolutions require – a set of Ideas / Ideals; writers a set of Ideas / Ideals; writers – Agitators, and Agitators, and – Military LeadersMilitary Leaders– and Political Leadersand Political Leaders

Washington was the Commander in Chief of the Washington was the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, General or Soldier, Military Continental Army, General or Soldier, Military Leader, rather than a writer like Jefferson or Paine, or Leader, rather than a writer like Jefferson or Paine, or an agitator like Sam Adams an agitator like Sam Adams

The second Continental Congress appointed The second Continental Congress appointed Washington as Commander in Chief of the American Washington as Commander in Chief of the American forces (nominated by John Adams)forces (nominated by John Adams)

Why Was He Chosen?Why Was He Chosen?

1. Personal Qualities1. Personal Qualities

He was well liked, respected, and trusted: most He was well liked, respected, and trusted: most people had good things to say about him: he had a people had good things to say about him: he had a reputation for being patient, courageous, sincere, self reputation for being patient, courageous, sincere, self -disciplined, just, and fair, and for having sound -disciplined, just, and fair, and for having sound judgment…..he was “generally beloved” judgment…..he was “generally beloved”

(Robert Jones, (Robert Jones, Ordinary Man, Extraordinary LeaderOrdinary Man, Extraordinary Leader))

2. His Aristocratic Status and as a Representative for 2. His Aristocratic Status and as a Representative for Virginia: To Help Unify The RevolutionVirginia: To Help Unify The Revolution

The Second Continental Congress was concerned that the The Second Continental Congress was concerned that the Revolution might be seen as a Northern / New England Revolution Revolution might be seen as a Northern / New England Revolution and a Radical Revolution of the lower classesand a Radical Revolution of the lower classes

With Washington as their Commander in Chief, it would help With Washington as their Commander in Chief, it would help show that it was truly a National Revolution and a Revolution of show that it was truly a National Revolution and a Revolution of consensus, not of class conflict. He was from the South, from the consensus, not of class conflict. He was from the South, from the biggest colony, from the first colony –Virginia - and he was a biggest colony, from the first colony –Virginia - and he was a plantation owning Aristocratplantation owning Aristocrat

His appointment gave the Revolution a sense of Unity and His appointment gave the Revolution a sense of Unity and Respectability – gave it CredibilityRespectability – gave it Credibility

Paul Johnson Paul Johnson A History of the American PeopleA History of the American People

..

3. His Military Experience3. His Military Experience

He had been a colonel in the VA colonial militia – he had He had been a colonel in the VA colonial militia – he had commanded an army of 1,200 men (though he had little commanded an army of 1,200 men (though he had little success and it had been 20 years earlier). But at least he success and it had been 20 years earlier). But at least he had military experience, added to his other qualitieshad military experience, added to his other qualities

He wore his military uniform (which was way too small He wore his military uniform (which was way too small at this stage) to the meetings of the Second Continental at this stage) to the meetings of the Second Continental Congress to point out that he had military experience as Congress to point out that he had military experience as well as political – historians say that by doing so he was well as political – historians say that by doing so he was blatantly canvassing for the jobblatantly canvassing for the job

Paul Johnson Paul Johnson A History of the American PeopleA History of the American People

4. His moderate political views4. His moderate political views

He represented the ambivalence felt by many in Congress He represented the ambivalence felt by many in Congress towards America’s relationship with Great Britaintowards America’s relationship with Great Britain

He was furious with British policy, yet wanted the He was furious with British policy, yet wanted the colonies to remain within the British Empirecolonies to remain within the British Empire

He satisfied proponents of reconciliation – he was against He satisfied proponents of reconciliation – he was against separation from Britain: yet he was not a hothead – he separation from Britain: yet he was not a hothead – he disapproved of the Boston Tea Party as a needless disapproved of the Boston Tea Party as a needless provocation to the British to rule with a high hand…provocation to the British to rule with a high hand…

Yet proponents of separation could also support him, for Yet proponents of separation could also support him, for although still loyal to the king, he favored armed although still loyal to the king, he favored armed resistance to the policies of his ministers.resistance to the policies of his ministers.

He was one of the last to accept that they move from a He was one of the last to accept that they move from a war against British policy / a war about complaints and war against British policy / a war about complaints and grievances to a war for Independencegrievances to a war for Independence

Paul Johnson Paul Johnson A History of the American PeopleA History of the American People

Was He A Good Choice? Was He A Good Choice?

Historian Paul Johnson…….Historian Paul Johnson…….

During the war he had no major victories, was not During the war he had no major victories, was not known for any major tactical brilliance, he made known for any major tactical brilliance, he made mistakes, lost more battles than he wonmistakes, lost more battles than he won

Not involved in early successes at Breeds Hill, Not involved in early successes at Breeds Hill, Ticonderoga, driving the British from BostonTiconderoga, driving the British from Boston

Suffered early losses at Long Island, Manhattan, driven Suffered early losses at Long Island, Manhattan, driven out of New Jersey into Penn, before escaping…survived, out of New Jersey into Penn, before escaping…survived, mainly due to the folly of British General Howe who did mainly due to the folly of British General Howe who did not pursue him while he was vulnerable (benefited from not pursue him while he was vulnerable (benefited from incompetence of British generals)incompetence of British generals)

Yet he did have two minor victories over the British Yet he did have two minor victories over the British and British Hessians (Prussian mercenaries) at Trenton and British Hessians (Prussian mercenaries) at Trenton and Princetonand Princeton

Defeated later by Howe again at Brandywine Creek, Defeated later by Howe again at Brandywine Creek, allowing Howe to take Philadelphia. Washington also allowing Howe to take Philadelphia. Washington also lost at Germantown before going into winter quarters at lost at Germantown before going into winter quarters at Valley ForgeValley Forge

Again Howe did not pursue him - he delayed too long Again Howe did not pursue him - he delayed too long in Phil, left Burgoyne and St. Ledger stranded and gave in Phil, left Burgoyne and St. Ledger stranded and gave Americans time to recover, and train under Von Americans time to recover, and train under Von Steuben and LafayetteSteuben and Lafayette

Washington was not at the great victory at Saratoga, Washington was not at the great victory at Saratoga, Oct. 1777, where Gen. Gates forced Burgoyne to Oct. 1777, where Gen. Gates forced Burgoyne to surrendersurrender

Involved in the final battle / victory at Yorktown, Involved in the final battle / victory at Yorktown, 1781, over Cornwallis, but could not have won 1781, over Cornwallis, but could not have won without considerable French help – Rochambeau and without considerable French help – Rochambeau and de Grasse de Grasse

No great victories……..Washington’s great No great victories……..Washington’s great contribution in terms of the military struggle was contribution in terms of the military struggle was to to stick to the taskstick to the task in spite of all the set backs – not just in spite of all the set backs – not just the losses but the low morale due to shortage of the losses but the low morale due to shortage of rations, low pay, desertions, shortage of manpower; in rations, low pay, desertions, shortage of manpower; in spite of all the hardships he spite of all the hardships he never contemplated never contemplated giving upgiving up..

Most important of all was that he kept the main army still intact; his Most important of all was that he kept the main army still intact; his army prevailed / rarely won but was not destroyed… against the army prevailed / rarely won but was not destroyed… against the mightiest empire in the worldmightiest empire in the world

He prolonged the war until the British were unable and unwilling to He prolonged the war until the British were unable and unwilling to fight on: this was the winning strategy: he avoided major battles and fight on: this was the winning strategy: he avoided major battles and therefore a major, ultimate defeat and surrender….not therefore a major, ultimate defeat and surrender….not egotistical….didn’t crave heroic victoriesegotistical….didn’t crave heroic victories

““He was the indispensable man whose steadfastness, courage and He was the indispensable man whose steadfastness, courage and dedication to his cause provided the army and people with a symbol dedication to his cause provided the army and people with a symbol of stability around which they could rally”. of stability around which they could rally”. Paul JohnsonPaul Johnson

Not the most brilliant of the country's early leaders. But in the Not the most brilliant of the country's early leaders. But in the crucial yrs of the war, at least, he was the most successful in holding crucial yrs of the war, at least, he was the most successful in holding the new nation together…..the new nation together…..JohnsonJohnson

A History of the American PeopleA History of the American People: : Paul JohnsonPaul Johnson

p.159 “The American patriots were fortunate in their p.159 “The American patriots were fortunate in their commander-in-chief. Washington was, by commander-in-chief. Washington was, by temperament and skills, the ideal commander for this temperament and skills, the ideal commander for this type of conflict. He was no great field commander. type of conflict. He was no great field commander. He fought in all nine general actions, and lost but He fought in all nine general actions, and lost but three of them. But he was a strategist. He realized that three of them. But he was a strategist. He realized that his supreme task was to train an army, keep it in the his supreme task was to train an army, keep it in the field, supply it, and pay it……. (over)field, supply it, and pay it……. (over)

p.160…By doing so, he enabled all thirteen state p.160…By doing so, he enabled all thirteen state governments, plus the Congress, to remain governments, plus the Congress, to remain functioning, and so to constitute a nation, which functioning, and so to constitute a nation, which matured rapidly during the eight years of conflict. matured rapidly during the eight years of conflict. Somehow or other, legislatures functioned, courts sat, Somehow or other, legislatures functioned, courts sat, taxes were raised, the new independent government taxes were raised, the new independent government carried on. So the British were never at any point carried on. So the British were never at any point fighting a mere collection of rebels or guerillas. They fighting a mere collection of rebels or guerillas. They were up against an embodied nation, and in the end the were up against an embodied nation, and in the end the point sank home. It was Washington who enabled all point sank home. It was Washington who enabled all this to happen. And in addition, he gave the war, on this to happen. And in addition, he gave the war, on the American side, a dignity which even his opponents the American side, a dignity which even his opponents recognized. He did nothing common, or mean, or recognized. He did nothing common, or mean, or cruel, or vengeful. He behaved, from first to last, like a cruel, or vengeful. He behaved, from first to last, like a gentleman.” gentleman.”

Barry SchwartzBarry Schwartz presents a less flattering interpretation of presents a less flattering interpretation of Washington in Washington in George Washington, the Making of an George Washington, the Making of an American SymbolAmerican Symbol

Argues that Washington was not exceptional or brilliant, Argues that Washington was not exceptional or brilliant, either in his personality, decisions, as a leader etc..either in his personality, decisions, as a leader etc..

He believes that Washington was not a charismatic leader: He believes that Washington was not a charismatic leader: his talents were not exceptional: he did not distinguish his talents were not exceptional: he did not distinguish himself by seizing and exercising power; nothing about himself by seizing and exercising power; nothing about him reminds us of a great conqueror or shaper of history. him reminds us of a great conqueror or shaper of history.

Yet he was/ is still the object of the most intense display Yet he was/ is still the object of the most intense display of hero worship this nation has ever seen. Subject of a cult of hero worship this nation has ever seen. Subject of a cult of veneration / of hero worship.of veneration / of hero worship.

Why, he asks?Why, he asks? ““Society found in him the principal aspirations that Society found in him the principal aspirations that

moved it, as well as the means of satisfying them. So this moved it, as well as the means of satisfying them. So this ordinary man because of the conditions of the time was ordinary man because of the conditions of the time was elevated to the status of hero, though from his own merit elevated to the status of hero, though from his own merit he may not have had any right to this status. He was a he may not have had any right to this status. He was a “man for the times.” …(identified with the cause through “man for the times.” …(identified with the cause through him)him)

After his appointment as Commander of the Continental After his appointment as Commander of the Continental Army he was more than a military leader, he was the Army he was more than a military leader, he was the eagle, the standard, the flag, the living symbol of the eagle, the standard, the flag, the living symbol of the causecause

Idolizing him was a means of showing support for the Idolizing him was a means of showing support for the decision to go to war and the desire to unifydecision to go to war and the desire to unify

His appointment was in effect a decision for war and His appointment was in effect a decision for war and the people who agreed with that decision expressed the people who agreed with that decision expressed their support in the best way they knew how – by their support in the best way they knew how – by praising its executorpraising its executor

Americans needed a figure to symbolize their revolt – Americans needed a figure to symbolize their revolt – he was that figure.he was that figure.

As war progressed the colonies urged each other to As war progressed the colonies urged each other to renounce their private interests and to concentrate all renounce their private interests and to concentrate all their energies on the collective military goal – he their energies on the collective military goal – he became the focal point of this effort – in exalting him became the focal point of this effort – in exalting him they were exalting this new policy. they were exalting this new policy.

““It was not the quality of his persona or performance that It was not the quality of his persona or performance that accounted for his immense popularity after his accounted for his immense popularity after his appointment, but rather the quality of the duties he was appointment, but rather the quality of the duties he was charged to carry out (provide unity). John Adams said charged to carry out (provide unity). John Adams said that his appointment would have a great affect on that his appointment would have a great affect on cementing and securing the union of the colonies. By cementing and securing the union of the colonies. By investing their strong sentiments in Washington, that investing their strong sentiments in Washington, that “concrete object,” the people made him a sacred being”. “concrete object,” the people made him a sacred being”.

Also, having venerated a king until 1775, Americans had Also, having venerated a king until 1775, Americans had learned to attach themselves to the state through regard learned to attach themselves to the state through regard for a single individual. Washington had replaced the for a single individual. Washington had replaced the monarch as America’s source of political identification. monarch as America’s source of political identification. (though Americans and Washington did not want any (though Americans and Washington did not want any kind of monarchy restored)kind of monarchy restored)

His status was acquired because he symbolized the His status was acquired because he symbolized the reconciliation between regions and opinions.reconciliation between regions and opinions.

Schwartz suggests that whoever they choose as leader Schwartz suggests that whoever they choose as leader would have received the same hero worship – it was would have received the same hero worship – it was not the man, not his qualities, not his achievements – it not the man, not his qualities, not his achievements – it was his position and role that was veneratedwas his position and role that was venerated

The newly acquired heroic status was evident in the The newly acquired heroic status was evident in the way society not only ascribed to him all manners of way society not only ascribed to him all manners of perfections but glossed over his shortcomings perfections but glossed over his shortcomings (pockmarked face, bad teeth, huge hands and hips). (pockmarked face, bad teeth, huge hands and hips). Rather people emphasized his superior appearance, his Rather people emphasized his superior appearance, his

dignity of deportment, his noble exterior.dignity of deportment, his noble exterior.

Because of their support for war and unity they made Because of their support for war and unity they made him a hero and wished to glorify everything he did. him a hero and wished to glorify everything he did.

His first public acclaim was not for fighting in battles His first public acclaim was not for fighting in battles but for drafting letters – he issued a public warning to but for drafting letters – he issued a public warning to Gen. Gage about the mistreatment of American Gen. Gage about the mistreatment of American prisoners, and in another public letter he refused to prisoners, and in another public letter he refused to accept a communication from Gen. Howe because he accept a communication from Gen. Howe because he addressed him as George Washington Esquire and not addressed him as George Washington Esquire and not as General. Won him huge public acclaim and the as General. Won him huge public acclaim and the high praise of Congress….he didn’t have to do any high praise of Congress….he didn’t have to do any thing outstanding to be venerated and treated as a thing outstanding to be venerated and treated as a herohero

When the British withdrew from Boston – no When the British withdrew from Boston – no encounter with Washington was involved in their encounter with Washington was involved in their departure – Congress voted him a gold medal and he departure – Congress voted him a gold medal and he was applauded throughout the land. Mass state was applauded throughout the land. Mass state legislature issued a formal address of praise for his legislature issued a formal address of praise for his achievement in driving British out, and Harvard voted achievement in driving British out, and Harvard voted him an honorary degree of Doctor of Law…….again, him an honorary degree of Doctor of Law…….again, he didn’t have to do anything outstanding…..he he didn’t have to do anything outstanding…..he symbolized the cause symbolized the cause

It was clear that his military skills were secondary to It was clear that his military skills were secondary to his symbolic role as defender of the nation’s rights. his symbolic role as defender of the nation’s rights. Praise was disproportionate to his achievements. Praise was disproportionate to his achievements. (letter and British leaving Boston). (letter and British leaving Boston).

Praise was because of the sentiment associated with Praise was because of the sentiment associated with events rather than the military significance of the events rather than the military significance of the events. events.

Collective enthusiasm for his mission and his role Collective enthusiasm for his mission and his role elevated him to the status he was acquiring elevated him to the status he was acquiring

He filled critical social needs as the colonies took He filled critical social needs as the colonies took their first step towards nationhood. By identifying their first step towards nationhood. By identifying with him, Americans could articulate their own stake with him, Americans could articulate their own stake in the war and justify their personal sacrifice.in the war and justify their personal sacrifice.

Driven to praise him for the victory at Boston….. Driven to praise him for the victory at Boston….. And even though losing in New York / Long island And even though losing in New York / Long island the loss was not attributed to him – the media wrote the loss was not attributed to him – the media wrote that the British had superior numbers, retreat was the that the British had superior numbers, retreat was the only alternative to surrender or annihilation. His role only alternative to surrender or annihilation. His role was seen as heroic, fleeing to save his men. was seen as heroic, fleeing to save his men.

Seen as a great warrior because of his victories at Seen as a great warrior because of his victories at Trenton and Princeton: but these were minor victories. Trenton and Princeton: but these were minor victories.

John Adams, who had nominated Washington for the John Adams, who had nominated Washington for the job, was becoming disturbed at the “idolizing of his job, was becoming disturbed at the “idolizing of his image,” and the “superstitious veneration” which was image,” and the “superstitious veneration” which was paid to Washington. Adams wanted to make sure that the paid to Washington. Adams wanted to make sure that the veneration of Congress for Washington would not veneration of Congress for Washington would not interfere with the principle of civilian control of the interfere with the principle of civilian control of the army – he was concerned about the creation of a new army – he was concerned about the creation of a new tyrant to replace the one they were about to throw off. tyrant to replace the one they were about to throw off.

Washington however always respected civil authority – Washington however always respected civil authority – rejected Newburg Conspiracy, the suggestion by some of rejected Newburg Conspiracy, the suggestion by some of his generals that he become King….this may have been his generals that he become King….this may have been his greatest contribution to the Revolution….his support his greatest contribution to the Revolution….his support for Parliamentary Democracy over Monarchy.. for Parliamentary Democracy over Monarchy..