GEORGE WASHINGTON

?Father of his country?

1732-1799

Wealthy Virginia planter

Commander-in-chief
of Continental Army
in American Revolution

First President of United States

Born and raised in Virginia
parents of English descent

Trained as a surveyor
surveyed Shenandoah Valley

1754 commissioned as colonel
in Virginia Militia
fought in French-Indian War

Elected delegate to
First Continental Congress 1774
and second congress in 1775

Persuaded to join revolution 1776
after reading Thomas Paine?s
Common Sense

Appointed commander-in-chief 1775
finally defeated British 1781
Treaty of Paris 1782
recognized United States

Resigned from army 1783

Presided over 1787
constitutional convention

Served as president 1789-1797

Vice-president John Adams