General George Washington in the American Revolution

General George Washington in the American Revolution Born February 22, 1732, along Popes Creek in Virginia, George Washington was the son of Augustine and Mary Washington. A successful tobacco planter, Augustine also became involved in several mining ventures and served as Justice of the Westmoreland County Court. Beginning at a young age, George Washington began spending most of his time at Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, VA. One of several children, Washington lost his father at age eleven. As a result, he attended school locally and was taught by tutors rather than following his older brothers to England to enroll at the Appleby School. Leaving school at fifteen, Washington considered a career in the Royal Navy but was blocked by his mother. In 1748, Washington developed an interest in surveying and later obtained his license from the College of William and Mary. A year later, Washington used his familys connections to the powerful Fairfax clan to obtain the position of surveyor of newly-formed Culpeper County. This proved a lucrative post and allowed him to begin buying land in the Shenandoah Valley. The early years of Washingtons work also saw him employed by the Ohio Company to survey land in western Virginia. His career was also aided by his half-brother Lawrence who commanded the Virginia militia. Using these ties, the 62 Washington came to the attention of Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie. Following Lawrences death in 1752, Washington was made a major in the militia by Dinwiddie and assigned as one of four district adjutants. French Indian War In 1753, French forces began moving into the Ohio Country which was claimed by Virginia and the other English colonies. Responding to these incursions, Dinwiddie dispatched Washington north with a letter instructing the French to depart. Meeting with key Native American leaders en route, Washington delivered the letter to Fort Le Boeuf that December. Receiving the Virginian, the French commander,  Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, announced that his forces would not withdraw. Returning to Virginia, Washingtons journal from the expedition was published on Dinwiddies order and helped him gain recognition throughout the colony. A year later, Washington was placed command of a construction party and sent north to aid in building a fort at the Forks of the Ohio. Assisted by the Mingo chief Half-King, Washington moved through the wilderness. Along the way, he learned that a large French force was already at the forks constructing Fort Duquesne. Establishing a base camp at Great Meadows, Washington attacked a French scouting party led by Ensign Joseph Coulon de Jumonville, at the Battle of Jumonville Glen on May 28, 1754. This attack prompted a response and a large French force moved south to deal with Washington. Constructing Fort Necessity, Washington was reinforced as he prepared to meet this new threat.   In the resulting Battle of Great Meadows on July 3, his command was beaten and ultimately forced to surrender. Following the defeat, Washington and his men were permitted to return to Virginia. These engagements began the French Indian War and led to the arrival of additional British troops in Virginia. In 1755, Washington joined Major General Edward Braddocks advance on Fort Duquesne as a volunteer aide to the general.   In this role, he was present when Braddock was badly defeated and killed at the Battle of the Monongahela that July. Despite the failure of the campaign, Washington performed well during the battle and worked tirelessly to rally British and colonial forces.   In recognition of this, he received command of the Virginia Regiment. In this role, he proved a strict officer and trainer. Leading the regiment, he vigorously defended the frontier against the Native Americans and later took part in the Forbes Expedition which captured Fort Duquesne in 1758. Peacetime In 1758, Washington resigned his commission and retired from the regiment. Returning to private life, he married the wealthy widow Martha Dandridge Custis on January 6, 1759, and took up residence at Mount Vernon, a plantation he had inherited from Lawrence. With his newly obtained means, Washington began expanding his real estate holdings and greatly expanded the plantation. This also saw him diversify its operations to include milling, fishing, textiles, and distilling. Though he never had children of his own, he aided in raising Marthas son and daughter from her previous marriage. As one of the colonys wealthiest men, Washington began serving in the House of Burgesses in 1758. Moving to Revolution Over the next decade, Washington grew his business interests and influence. Though he disliked the 1765 Stamp Act, he did not begin publicly opposing British taxes until 1769 when he organized a boycott in response to the Townshend Acts. With the introduction of the Intolerable Acts following the 1774 Boston Tea Party, Washington commented that the legislation was an invasion of our rights and privileges. As the situation with Britain deteriorated, he chaired the meeting at which the Fairfax Resolves were passed and was selected to represent Virginia at the First Continental Congress. With the Battles of Lexington Concord in April 1775 and the beginning of the American Revolution, Washington began attending meetings of the Second Continental Congress in his military uniform. Leading the Army With the Siege of Boston ongoing, Congress formed the Continental Army on June 14, 1775. Due to his experience, prestige, and Virginia roots, Washington was nominated as commander in chief by John Adams. Accepting reluctantly, he rode north to take command. Arriving at Cambridge, MA, he found the army badly disorganized and lacking supplies. Establishing his headquarters at the Benjamin Wadsworth House, he worked to organize his men, obtain needed munitions, and improve the fortifications around Boston. He also dispatched Colonel Henry Knox to Fort Ticonderoga to bring the installations guns to Boston. In a massive effort, Knox completed this mission and Washington was able to emplace these guns on Dorchester Heights in March 1776. This action forced the British to abandon the city.  Ã‚   Keeping an Army Together Recognizing that New York would likely be the next British target, Washington moved south in 1776. Opposed by General William Howe and Vice Admiral Richard Howe, Washington was forced from the city after being flanked and defeated at Long Island in August. In the wake of the defeat, his army narrowly escaped back to Manhattan from its fortifications in Brooklyn. Though he won a victory at Harlem Heights, a string of defeats, including at White Plains, saw Washington driven north then west across New Jersey. Crossing the Delaware, Washingtons situation was desperate as his army was badly reduced and enlistments were expiring. Needing a victory to bolster spirits, Washington conducted a daring attack on Trenton on Christmas night. Moving Towards Victory Capturing the towns Hessian garrison, Washington followed up this triumph with a victory at Princeton a few days later before entering winter quarters. Rebuilding the army through 1777, Washington marched south to block British efforts against the American capital of Philadelphia. Meeting Howe on September 11, he again flanked and beaten at the Battle of Brandywine. The city fell shortly after the fighting. Seeking to turn the tide, Washington mounted a counterattack in October but was narrowly defeated at Germantown. Withdrawing to Valley Forge for the winter, Washington embarked on a massive training program which was overseen by Baron Von Steuben. During this period, he was forced to endure intrigues such as the Conway Cabal, in which officers sought to have him removed and replaced with Major General Horatio Gates. Emerging from Valley Forge, Washington began a pursuit of the British as they withdrew to New York. Attacking at the Battle of Monmouth, the Americans fought the British to a standstill. The fighting saw Washington at the front working tirelessly to rally his men. Pursuing the British, Washington settled into a loose siege of New York as the focus of the fighting shifted to the southern colonies. As commander in chief, Washington worked to direct operations on the other fronts from his headquarters. Joined by French forces in 1781, Washington moved south and besieged Lieutenant General Lord Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown. Receiving the British surrender on October 19, the battle effectively ended the war. Returning to New York, Washington endured another year of struggling to keep the army together amid a lack of funds and supplies. Later Life With the Treaty of Paris in 1783, the war came to an end. Though immensely popular and in position to become a dictator if he desired, Washington resigned his commission at Annapolis, MD on December 23, 1783, confirming the precedent of civilian authority over the military. In later years, Washington would serve as president of the Constitutional Convention and as the first President of the United States. As a military man, Washingtons true value came as an inspirational leader who proved capable of keeping the army together and maintaining resistance during the darkest days of the conflict. A key symbol of the American Revolution, Washingtons ability command respect was only surpassed by his willingness to cede power back to the people. When he learned of Washingtons resignation, King George III stated: If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.

The Relevance of the US Constitution

The Relevance of the US Constitution If a person should live according to the ethical norms, what principles should be reflected in the Constitution of the country to regulate the development of the whole nation? The principles which are presented in the Constitution of the USA are the significant components of the Americans’ national identity. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Relevance of the US Constitution specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More From this point, the Constitution is the major source of the basic norms according to which the life of an average American is organized, and in relation to which foreigners make definite considerations about the country and its ideals. Thus, the US Constitution is still relevant and important for Americans because it regulates the main aspects of the people’s life within the country, presents the fundamental principles on which the governmental structure is based, and discusses the concepts of ju stice, welfare, and liberty as the most important for Americans. That is why, the relevance of the Constitution can be assessed only with references to the ideals and principles which are emphasized in it without concentrating on the year of its adoption. In spite of the fact every country has its own Constitution, the US Constitution is the symbol of the American freedom, and it is the base for realizing the ‘American dream’. Those norms, standards, laws, and principles which are stated in the US Constitution are so important that the nation does not feel the necessity to make significant changes in the text of the Constitution or adopt the new variant. The relevance depends on the currency, and those principles which are reflected in the Constitution are still current. There are few persons who can argue the significance of equality or freedom for everyone (Hennessey and McConnell). Nevertheless, it is impossible to reject the idea that times change, and definite al ternations can be made in the Constitution. From this point, the system of amendments emphasizes not the imperfectness of the first variant of the Constitution, but the vision of the Federalists who developed the Constitution which can be discussed as appropriate to respond to the realities of the 21st century (Farrand).Advertising Looking for essay on constitutional law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The Constitution is the supreme law which is based on the unique rules and norms. These norms help the nation realize its inimitable characteristics which accentuate the national identity (Beeman; Hennessey and McConnell). Thus, the ideals of democracy and liberty are the main points according to which it is possible to distinguish the position of an American when he or she discusses a certain problem (Jordan). These concepts can be examined as the ruling force of the country on its way to the further development. T he USA became the synonym of the progress many years ago when the country became the world leader in relation to a lot of criteria, and the rules and notions which are stated in the Constitution contributed to this process significantly. The USA is the land where dreams can become true, and a person can face a lot of opportunities for their realization. These associations are the results of the country’s policy which is based on the principles fixed in the Constitution. It is important to focus on the fact that the US Constitution can be discussed as relevant and useful till these associations and ideals are alive and help people to create the world of their dream, basing on the democratic ideals, concepts of liberty, justice, and equality. Beeman, Richard. The Penguin Guide to the United States Constitution: A Fully Annotated Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Amendments, and Selections from The Federalist Papers. USA: Penguin Books, 2010. Print. Farrand, Ma x. The Fathers of the Constitution; a Chronicle of the Establishment of the Union. USA: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2012. Print. Hennessey, Jonathan, and Aaron McConnell. The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation. USA: Hill and Wang, 2008. Print. Jordan, Terry. The U.S. Constitution: And Fascinating Facts About It. USA: Oak Hill Publishing Co., 1999. Print.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Relevance of the US Constitution specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

Research Paper Introduction_1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Research Paper Introduction_1 - Essay Example As such, all the aerospace logistics companies, Kuehne+Nagel included, have to morph constantly with respect to the varying trends to survive. Specifically, the market structure affects the business model of a company that has to be compatible with the prevailing market conditions. Kuehne+Nagel is precisely struggling to manage cost positioning that is just a part of the whole issue of market structure. The problem is partly contributed to by the customers who use cost as their tool for choosing an aerospace logistics company, and partly by the presence of several companies who have to scramble for the few clients (Francois, 2012 p. 1). With its traditional business model which did not pay much attention to cost positioning issues, Kuehne+Nagel found itself in financial mess when it had to lower its prices in order to come into equilibrium with that of the market. However, reducing the costs acted as a double-edged sword, drawing clients in but stretching the operations of the compan y. The only solution was to devise such cost-friendly solutions like shared warehousing among