Q: George Washington – David O. Stewart – Introduction

A:

• An attorney who practiced law

• Starting writing history

• Madison, Burr, Andrew Johnson

• Always asked who was the most important Founding Father

• Decided I needed to write about George Washington

• Focused on the political life of Washington

Q: What are some of the Washington Myths?

A: 

• Things came to Washington effortlessly – not true

• He was rich – not true

• He was a natural leader – not true

• Much self-improvement & self-learning

Q: How did the early frontier years impact Washington?

A:

• Positive side – it brought him fame

• Not many American born military commanders

• But many negatives

• Indian fighters were much better

• His men suffered in the wars

• He alienated his superiors

• But learned and changed

Q: What Was Washington’s Self Reinvention?

A:

• He pivots away from a military career

• Looks to develop Mt. Vernon plantation

• Marries a rich woman - Martha Custis

• Builds a base for political career

• Joins Virginia political legislature

Q: What Were Washington’s Key Political Skills?

A:

• Great self-confidence

• Hard working & determined

• Not a great orator

• But had what we call today, charisma

• Also, got things done

• “Let George Do It” 

Q: What was Washington’s Key Military Skill?

A:

• Used political skill to military advantage

• Not a great tactician

• Military historians criticize his battles

• Dealt well with logistics, supplies, manpower

• Understood that strategic goal was to outlast the British

• And he won!

Q: Was Washington anti-Slavery?

A:

• Important to be open & candid about Washington and slavery

• Part of Virginia’s plantation slave owner class

• Change of view during the war

• Impressed by service of African American soldiers

• Resolved to be a “good slave owner”

• Complicated record of freeing slaves

• Mixed legacy

Q: What was Washington’s Political Philosophy?

A:

• Believer in self-government

• Advocate of representative government

• People have natural rights – Bill of Rights

• Proponent of liberty

• Walked away from presidency

Q: Did the Hebrew Bible Influence Washington?

A:

• Washington had a religious Protestant upbringing

• Would have known the Hebrew Bible

• Referenced Providence, Greater Power

• Touro Synagogue visit reassured American Jewry

• Believed in religious freedom

• But no specific Biblical references

• No use of Biblical imagery

• Was a secular figure

Q: How was Washington’s Touro Synagogue Visit Received by Americans?

A:

• Do not see much of a response in general population

• Religious leaders welcomed it

• Washington, while an Anglican, had no religious preferences

• Before Presidency, visited various religions in Philadelphia

• Had a spiritual side

• Was not dogmatic

Q: Why Study the Life of Washington?

A:

• Problems then were also acute

• Importance of social order, freedom

• Washington should resonate today

• He took control of his life

• Became a great model

• Have not had a leader like him