Existing comment:
George Washington resigning commission as Commander in Chief of the Army in 1783, by R. Orlandi
1783: "King George"
At the close of Revolutionary War, many Europeans expected George Washington to retain power and become king. Instead, like the ancient Roman general Cincinnatus, he relinquished power to return to his farm. The new American government did not become a monarchy. King George III of England reputedly remarked, "If he does that... he will be the greatest man in the world." |