Question

Write a short note on George Washington, And what he contributed for democracy

Answer 1

George Washington was the first President of the United States of America and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American War of Independence. He was born in 1732 in Virginia to a family of wealthy tobacco planters. At that time, Virginia and other states in the East Coast of North America were ruled by Britain. In his youth, Washington became an officer in the colonial British army and played a significant role in the victory of the British over the French in the Seven Years' War that took place between 1756 and 1763.

Later, he became associated with the American freedom movement and in 1775, became the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. He led the American forces to victory against the British in 1783. He presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787 which established the US Constitution. He became President of the new nation of USA in 1789 and remained in office till 1797.

His contributions to democracy are as follows.

1. After leading the Continental Army to victory in 1783, he did not seize power in USA but instead resigned from the Army. Like a true democrat, he presided over the Constituent Assembly that established a republican Constitution for the country.

2. He stepped down as President of the USA after two terms even though he could have easily acquired the office for a third time. He thus established a democratic precedent where a single person should not rule for long periods of time.

3. He oversaw the creation of a strong and democratic United States of America that was to provide an inspiration for other democratic movements in the future.