What was George Washington's greatest contribution to the founding of the United States?
2007-02-15 06:41:14 · 8 answers · asked by bellbottombleus 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Himself.
He had an air of gravity and prestige about him. For example, there had been several attempts to fix the disaster that was the Articles of Confederation, but they all failed. Madison decides to try one more time in Philadelphia. He sends out an early attendees list and lists Washington on it. Washington had no intention of going and was upset, but Madison convinced him that just by allowing him to list his name on there, it would give an air of legitimacy and productivity to the proceedings.
Sure enough, once everyone saw that Washington was going, all the big guns came and we got our Constitution.
2007-02-15 06:47:45 · answer #1 · answered by Monc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
George Washington and his contributions to America are best detailed in a Congressional proclamation "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." The only president to be elected unanimously, Washington received all 69 of the electoral votes cast at the time. George Washington stand above them all. His leadership, virtue, and selflessness in name of country are still unequalled. He led the Continental Army without pay and earned respect and loyalty from men going without supplies and pay -- any other person in that role may have lost the men and so the Revolution. As president he made decisions carefully, established precedents, mindful of the country's future. His biggest achievement -- giving up power and passing it on through an election -- truly revolutionary!! He has been called "the only indispensable founder", both for his victory over the British, and for holding the U.S. together during the formative years of our republic. . George Washington is the "Greatest American" because of the courage he displayed as a general in battle which helped win our freedom and establish our country. As our first President, he held our fragile country together by leading with strength and wisdom. He is truly the first, and because his behavior exemplified those ideals which we cherish and celebrate on national holidays - we commemorate him as #1 on our currency and should remember his success - as an American who continues to be the "Greatest"!
2016-05-24 04:08:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't say his military victories were great contributions to the founding of our country because his few military victories were, in the most part, due to the help of others. I would also not count his political victories as great contributions because I cannot think of one. I believe that his greatest contribution to the founding of this great nation is that every time control of this country was given to him, he chose to give it up. After the revolution when to military was planing a take over to establish a military government with Washington in charge, he talked them out of it. Later when congress offered to make him King of America he turned them down. Lastly when he was elected President of the United States he, after eight years in office, resigned from the job, and retired to Mount Vernon.
2007-02-15 07:59:25 · answer #3 · answered by Coyote81 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He led the continental army to victory against the British.
In so doing he provided the people of America an obvious choice for first president, which probably smoothed the election process significantly and served as a gentle transition to a Democratic system.
2007-02-15 06:56:30 · answer #4 · answered by Daniel A: Zionist Pig 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He stepped down as commanding general of the army, returning authority for it to the Congress, and by extension, the people. Later, he refused to become king of the newly-founded nation, even though he was offered acclaimation as such.
Finally, he refused to stand for a third term in office--even though the electorate would likely have given it to him as long as he wanted.
2007-02-15 07:53:41 · answer #5 · answered by psyop6 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He realized that there was a problem with having a king heading the country so he influenced others to go with a more democratic form of government.
2007-02-15 07:49:00 · answer #6 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Intergity and stability. He made this country an honorable nation only to have others louse it up.
2007-02-15 06:47:48 · answer #7 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Getting it all started.
2007-02-15 06:49:36 · answer #8 · answered by royceb 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋