Introduction
George Washington is one of the most prominent figures in the history of the United States and the first president of the country. Importantly, he became an effective president although everyone had doubts “as to what this presidency was” (Phelps, 1987, p. 354). The man was a talented military commander and inspirational leader who enjoyed unprecedented trust and respect among his fellow citizens. Undoubtedly, Washington is a hero as his diligence, and firm belief in the importance of the union became critical in the very survival of the new country (Henriques, 2011). He was a visionary man who helped others to see that their future depended on their ability to pursue a greater purpose of cherishing independence and unity.
He was also a hero as having had great power, he did not abuse it but created a system that ensured the stability of the Union. Of course, Washington was a human, which means that some flaws in his character could still be found. Nevertheless, the man remains one of the most prominent heroes in the history of the United States due to his selfless service to his country and fellow citizens.
Background
Talented Commander
George Washington was a man who evolved along with the country based on the shifts in society and global historical context. For instance, his evolution from a British subject to an American citizen and a defender of the Union is remarkable (Countryman, 2009). His deep interest in public affairs and willingness to make the life of his fellow citizens better made him involved in political life at quite an early age. He was willing to contribute to the development of his community.
He was a talented commander who earned the trust of the people and great fame which helped him become a successful politician and the leader of the nation. He took part in the French and Indian War and became one of the leading commanders during the American Revolution (Countryman, 2009). His military career suggests that he was courageous and wise, which are characteristic features of a great hero. He tried to be an equitable commander who cared for soldiers, which made him popular in the army and larger society (Washington, 1775). He had considerable experience in planning and executing bold and successful operations that were some of the steps that led the country to its independence.
One of the Founding Fathers of the Nation
He served two presidential terms and insisted on the termination of his political career, which guaranteed the development of the country and secured the balance of powers. The creation of a precedent of the president’s long stay in power could potentially lead to the usurpation of power in the future and the loss of the gains achieved by Washington (Henriques, 2011). The renowned leader understood the possible outcomes of certain decisions and was firm regarding his chance to serve another term. This firmness is another feature typical of heroes who are capable of making wise decisions and concentrating on the good for all rather than their gains or even inclinations to achieve a higher result in the short-term perspective.
During his presidency, he contributed greatly to the creation of strong national power. George Washington advocated the establishment of such national institutions as a national bank and national government that exercised real power (Henriques, 2011). He rightfully believed that the federal support of central sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, instance, and the sovereignty of the national government over states would enhance the country.
This central power was also important for keeping states together, creating a strong federation rather than a short-lived alliance of states. These views and particular measures targeting the creation of the mentioned institutions ensured the survival of the Union in the turbulent times of its first years (Henriques, 2011). One of the primary reasons for the success of the country was associated with the fact that its first president was a true hero that was manifested in different spheres.
Principles and Moral Guidelines
One of the most important aspects, of making a hero is related to the domains of beliefs and morality. A person’s values and ethics define their actions that are later deemed as heroic, ordinary, or feeble by their contemporaries and future generations. George Washington was a visionary man of great character and diligence who was ready to serve the nation and his fellow citizens (Phelps, 1987). This leader’s views regarding the essence of humankind and the future of the Union played a considerable role in the establishment of the country’s executive branch of power and the maintenance of the balance of the system.
George Washington believed, as well as his contemporaries in the North American States, that freedom was the highest priority and value to be protected. His presidency was marked by his desire and focus on the balance between the fortification of “the characteristic rights of freemen” and the promotion of “the public harmony,” which he mentioned in his inaugural address (Washington, 1789, para. 5). Henriques (2011) emphasizes that the major principle guiding Washington’s decisions (be it military or public affairs) was to ensure that people’s self-interest would not undermine the development of the country. He was afraid that individual interests could make people sacrifice the future of the Union, so he tried to create the institutions that would secure the stability of the system.
Humble Leader of the Nation
The military success and effectiveness of Washington, the commander, hardly need to be considered in detail as he is one of the renowned heroes of the American Revolution. At that, his contribution to the formation of the executive power of the Union cannot be overestimated (Phelps, 1987). As mentioned above, quite a few people, if any, had any clear views on what the role of the President could be.
There was no such position previously, and the role of this high-ranking person was not even properly described. The first president would set the standards and form the office, which was likely to be adopted by following generations, which was the case in the Union. Luckily for the country, the President had the necessary confidence and virtue of establishing the highest standards and properly defined responsibilities for his entire administration. Only a true hero could respond to such a challenge.
The country that won its independence but paid quite a high price was vulnerable due to the situation in the world political arena. The Union consisted of states that had diverse peculiarities and differences, as well as specific needs and interests, which could make people want to leave the confederacy. In addition, George Washington was to defend the country’s independence from the attempts of the French and the British to regain their control over the former colonies in this or that way.
With these challenges and vaguely defined duties, Washington successfully resisted the temptation of gaining more power and becoming a life-long ruler of the newly created country. The first president knew that his successors had to understand that their time in power was limited, and their major purpose was to serve their fellow citizens (Phelps, 1987). This talented politician developed the major principles of the presidency as one of the branches of government in the new country. He managed to establish high standards that became the basis of the republican nature of the Union.
A Hero in the Age of Enlightenment
Education and Public Service
Another important facet of Washington’s character and his contribution to the empowerment of the country was linked to his ideals of an enlightened person. His heroic input into the development of the Union was the attention he paid to education and knowledge. It may seem unnecessary or untimely for the president of a new country to pay attention to training (in both formal and on-the-job settings) administrative personnel (Cook & Klay, 2014). Notably, in the eighteenth century, it was rather uncommon for people involved in public administration activities to have any special education as there was no such educational area.
Being a man of the Enlightenment Age, George Washington understood the value of knowledge and skills in managing public affairs. The first U.S. president saw the need to ensure that people involved in building new systems for the new country had a sufficient level of knowledge and expertise (Cook & Klay, 2014). Washington believed that knowledge enhanced virtue and could safeguard the Union from corruption, politicians’ self-interest, and other vices of government.
Education for the Future of the Country
The wise leader acknowledged the relevance of expertise during the years of the war and diplomatic attempts that led to the country’s independence. He saw the knowledge and education of public administrators as an “antidote to the possibility that a republican democracy could become dominated by the rule of the uneducated poor” (Cook & Klay, 2014, p. 47). Although it may seem less heroic and more of a routine procedure for a ruler of the country, it was quite heroic for a leader of a newly created country in the eighteenth century.
Washington paid much attention to formal education and training for public administrators as well as the larger society. The President contributed considerably to the promotion of higher education among the youth, which, as he declared, was the pathway to strong communities that evolve, facilitating progress, diversity, and collaboration (Cook & Klay, 2014). Education was the key to innovation and the development of high moral standards guiding people in different areas of politics, economy, or citizens’ social life.
A Perfect Flawless Saint or a Hero with Humane Traits?
The Dark Side of the Hero and His Mistakes
To err is human, which is a universal truth applied to all people, including George Washington. Being a war hero and renowned political leader, and even the father of the nation promulgating democratic values of equity, Washington was also a slave owner (Morgan, 2000). Numerous written accounts suggest that he was rather strict with his slaves as he expected them to work hard and paid little attention to supplying them with proper tools and commodities.
These controversial attitudes and orders he gave to overseers revealed the extent to which the man’s darker side. Morgan (2000) states that George Washington provided food sufficient to live but no more, and his slaves often had to find resources to provide for their commodities. The future president believed that slaves should not receive additional funds as they find ways to accumulate resources to try to buy their freedom. Those were rather inappropriate views that led to instances of inhumane conduct with slaves.
In addition to owning slaves, Washington did not believe slaves could be equally patriotic in Americans’ struggle against the French and the British. In one of his general orders issued in 1775, Washington (1775) noted that “[n]either Negroes, Boys unable to bear Arms, or old men unfit to endure the fatigues of the campaign, are to be enlisted” (p. 112). The military leader wanted to secure the high productivity and loyalty of troops.
The focus on these two domains affected Washington’s decisions as to the participation of slaves in the war. Thus, the reason for this exclusion was associated with the commander’s perspective that they could “wish to put Shackles upon Freemen fill their Ranks, and place their confidence in such miscreants” (Washington, 1775, p. 112). Similar attitudes were typical of his contemporaries, so they were not even seen as a negative trait at that time, especially when it came to the South.
On the one hand, Washington was fearful of potential negative implications for the army because slaves could use arms against their masters if they were given weapons. That, on the other hand, Washington simply thought that slaves and even free African Americans could not fight due to their ill-nature and inferiority (Morgan, 2000). Such racist attitudes were the negative qualities of the first president of the United States.
True Hero Who Is Bold Enough to Become Progressive
Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that his attitude towards slavery and slaves underwent considerable changes during his lifetime. In the first half of his life, he was biased toward slaves and their place in society. The changes started in 1783 when George Washington developed closer relationships with people who had a negative attitude towards slavery. At that period, he was influenced by his friends who supported the abolitionist movement, although these effects were still modest (Morgan, 2000). George Washington gradually changed his attitude and started sympathizing with abolitionists.
At the end of his life, he even became an advocate of abolishing slavery and setting his slaves free. Hence, the man’s views underwent major transformations adopting progressive and righteous agendas. He acknowledged the vice of American society where equality and freedom were the highest values, but they coexisted with slavery and racism (Morgan, 2000). Again, Washington was heroic enough to take action and give freedom to his people as he believed that slavery was bad for his country.
Conclusion
On balance, it is necessary to note that George Washington was no saint but a hero who contributed to the establishment of the strong roots of the country. He was a talented warrior and wise politician who never wanted to gain more power than he needed to facilitate the development of the Union. His values, ethical benchmarks, and views made him one of the heroes in the history of the United States of America.
Like any other living being, George Washington possessed positive and negative traits, the highest ethical standards, and erroneous views on some aspects of life. Slavery was the spot on the hero’s remarkable biography as Washington was racist in the first part of his life and treated slaves rather badly. However, as any other hero, the first U.S. President was wise and courageous enough to reflect on his beliefs, perspectives, and deeds, as well as change his behavior. He freed his slaves at the end of his life, which was the final act of his major transformation on his way to truly democratic values of freedom and equality.
All in all, it is necessary to state that George Washington was a true hero whose contribution to the birth and development of the United States cannot be overestimated. The man was a courageous commander, an inspirational leader, and an individual of high moral qualities, although with considerable misconceptions that were largely inflicted on him by the American society of the eighteenth century. The first American President was one of the Founding Fathers of the country and the nation, as well as a spirited hero who took those roles and responsibilities with dignity and humility.
References
Cook, S. A., & Klay, W. E. (2014). George Washington and enlightenment ideas on educating future citizens and public servants. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 20(1), 45-55.
Countryman, E. (2009). Getting to know George Washington. Southwest Review, 94(2), 132-146.
Henriques, P. R. (2011). George Washington and the challenge of launching the new government. College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Morgan, K. (2000). George Washington and the problem of slavery. Journal of American Studies, 34(2), 279-301.
Phelps, G. A. (1987). George Washington and the founding of the presidency. Presidential Studies Quarterly, 17(2), 345-363.
Washington, G. (1775). George Washington, November 12, 1775, general orders. Library of Congress.
Washington, G. (1789). Washington’s inaugural address of 1789. National Archives and Records Administration. Web.