Existing comment:
George Washington:
George Washington's experience as commander of the Continental army under the Articles of Confederation hastened his transformation from Virginian to American. He remained devoted to Virginia, but only as part of the new nation. Washington has been called "The Father of our Country" and "The Indispensable Man" for his crucial role in winning the war for independence and as the first president. "Light-Horse Harry" Lee -- Robert E. Lee's father -- extolled him as "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."
Washington lost as many battles as he won during the Revolutionary War, but he was "first in war" because he held the Continental army together for eight years until victory was achieved.
Washington was "first in peace" because his endorsement of the Constitution helped secure its adoption and ratification, and his tenure as the first president set the republic on a sound foundation.
He was "first in the hearts of his countrymen" because he used power for the public good, relinquished it voluntarily, and put service above self.
The Revolutionary War:
The American Revolutionary War was Great Britain's equivalent of the Vietnam War. There were British "hawks" and "doves." The war's morality was questioned. Rebel leaders were both reviled and revered. There was a "domino theory" that Ireland would follow America.
After six years of fighting, public opinion finally concluded that the war was unwinnable. The decisive event occurred at Yorktown. The British army was besieged by a combined Franco-American army. The French fleet sealed Chesapeake Bay, preventing the British from resupply, reinforcement, or escape. Lord Cornwallis's whole command was surrendered. The British prime minister took the news "as he would have a [musket] ball in the breast" and moaned, "Oh God, it is all over, it is all over." |