Question: George Washington - People in History Question

Question:2012, Question 4, B, (i)Write about:A named leader involved in a revolution (America or France or Ireland) during the period 1771-1815

Answer:George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia in 1732 and became a wealthy landownerHe fought with the British against the French in the Seven Years War. He returned to Virginia where he married a wealthy widow named Martha DandridgeHe was elected as Virginia's representative at the 1st and 2nd continental Congress and was made leader of the American Continental Army in May 1775He won important victories against the British at Boston, Princeton and Trenton in 1776. Washington's forces also suffered major defeats at White Plains and Philadelphia in 1777In the winter of '77-'78, Washington tried to rally his men at Valley Forge. Food supplies were low and many men died from the cold and disease.Frederick von Steuben helped to train soldiersThe help of the French, Spanish and Dutch began to turn the war in America's favour. In October 1781 Washington trapped the British between army and French navy in Yorktown and won this decisive battle.When the British surrendered in 1783 and America was granted independence, Washington resigned from the armyWashington was elected first president of the United States in 1789 and was re-elected in 1793. He retired in 1797 and died in 1799.

New Page