George Washington

““His Excellency”His Excellency” 43 year old wealthy Virginia 43 year old wealthy Virginia

planterplanter Modest & humble; yet Modest & humble; yet

ambitious and very loyal to ambitious and very loyal to the causethe cause

Stern, almost aloof; Stern, almost aloof; demanded discipline.demanded discipline.

Very organized & detailed.Very organized & detailed. Pragmatic: he was realistic Pragmatic: he was realistic

& very aware of the & very aware of the situationsituation

General Washington Experience: Colonial Experience: Colonial

Officer in the French-Officer in the French-Indian War.Indian War.

Brave-cool under fire.Brave-cool under fire. 1775: Given control of 1775: Given control of

the Continental Army.the Continental Army. Realized they were a Realized they were a

rag-tag group.rag-tag group. He felt discipline and He felt discipline and

patient leadership was patient leadership was needed. needed.

Military Experience

No experience as a commander. Never led an army in battle. Never directed a siege. Yet, Congress felt he was the best

choice. Washington knew his limitations.

““I beg it may be remembered I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room by every gentleman in the room that I this day declare with the that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I myself equal to the command I

am honored with.”am honored with.”

In his speech before the Continental Congress:

““I heard the bullets whistle; I heard the bullets whistle; and believe me there is and believe me there is

something charming in the something charming in the sound.”sound.”