The Leadership of George Washington

Early Life

• Son of a wealthy Virginia cavalier family.

• Given surveying job because of connections

French and Indian War

• Earned colonel’s commission in Virginia militia.

• Responsible for starting and losing the first battle in the war

Early Ambition

• During the French and Indian War, Washington is given command of 300 Virginia troops along the border with Indian lands.

• Following the war, Washington tried to get a leadership position in the regular British army but was turned down because he lacked the necessary connections in England.

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Between the Wars

• Washington sits out of military affairs for the next 15 years, focusing on his plantation and Virginia politics.

Command of the Continental Army

• In 1775, the Second Continental Congress appointed Washington to lead the newly created Continental Army.

Washington’s “Qualifications”• Military experience in

the French and Indian War

• Aristocratic connections• From the largest colony

(Virginia)• From a southern colony• Fairly young/healthy• Looked good in a

uniform

Washington’s Challenges

• Poorly trained, poorly equipped army

• Ineffective leaders

• Well-trained enemy

• Lukewarm support of the population

• Lack of support from colonies

• Dependence on militia

Performance During the War

• Washington lost more battles during the war than he won, but he won when it mattered.

Washington’s wins/losses

• WINS• Dorchester Heights• Trenton• Princeton• Yorktown

• Monmouth (tie)

• LOSSES• Long Island• Brooklyn Heights• White Plains• Harlem Heights• Brandywine• Germantown

Washington’s Strategy

• Popular support

• Keep the army intact

• Suppress the Loyalists

• Avoid decisive battles except to exploit enemy mistakes

• Personal Leadership

Popular support

• He aimed to have 90% of the population in his area of operations support (or at least not oppose) his army.

Keep the army intact

• Washington realized that America would win so long as they could resist.

• The only reason he fought at Trenton was to save his army.

Suppress the Loyalists

• Washington was sometimes brutal in his suppression of the Loyalists.

Avoid decisive battles• The British were seeking one major

battle that would crush American opposition.

• Washington never provided them with the opportunity.

Personal Leadership• Washington could always be seen

among his troops, which was very uncommon for generals at this time.

Command Ability• Washington did not win the war by

being a great military leader. He was a much better leader of men.

• He handled relations with the states and their militias, worked with Congress to supply and recruit the Continental army, dealt with disputing generals and colonels, and came to personally represent the military prowess of the new nation.