Britannica Student Encyclopedia - 2010

•Washington, George • White House

Washington,

George

GeorgeWashington led the American

colonists to victory in the American

Revolution. After the war he helped

produce the U.S. Constitution. Finally,

he served as the first president of the

United States.Washington is often

called the Father of His Country.

Early Life and Career

GeorgeWashington was born inWestmoreland

County, Virginia, on February

22, 1732. He was the eldest child of

Augustine and Mary BallWashington.

His father owned plantations, businesses,

and mines. After his father died,

George lived with his half brother

Lawrence at an estate on the Potomac

River called Mount Vernon. George

learned how to survey (measure) areas of

land and to farm.

At age 16Washington joined a group

sent to survey the Virginia frontier. In

1749 he became the official surveyor of

Culpeper County. After Lawrence’s

death in 1752,Washington became head

ofMount Vernon and one of the richest

planters in Virginia. Slaves did most of

the work on his estate.

Beginning in 1754Washington fought

in the French and IndianWar. He eventually

became commander of all Virginia’s

troops.Washington also served in

the House of Burgesses, Virginia’s

assembly of representatives. In 1759 he

married Martha Dandridge, a widow

with two children. The couple had no

children together.

George Washington was the first president

of the United States.

BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Washington, George 19

 

American Revolution

Before the American RevolutionWashington

was loyal to Great Britain. By the

late 1760s, however, he began protesting

unfair British policies. In 1774 and

1775Washington served in the Continental

Congress. In April 1775 fighting

between British and colonial troops

began. The Continental Congress chose

Washington to lead the colonial forces,

called the Continental Army.

The fighting lasted for six difficult years.

The army’s lowest point was the winter

of 1777–78, which it spent at Valley

Forge, Pennsylvania. Many soldiers died

from the cold, and more than 2,000

deserted.Washington held the army

together, however, and continued fighting.

Finally, in 1781, the British surrendered.

Presidency

In 1787Washington served as president

of the Constitutional Convention.

There, representatives designed the new

U.S. government, laid out in a document

called the Constitution. After the

states accepted the Constitution, a

group of men called electors chose

Washington to be the country’s first

president.Washington took the oath of

office in New York City on April 30,

1789. He was reelected in 1792. John

Adams was his vice president.

Washington believed in a strong federal,

or central, government. He also believed

that the United States should remain

neutral, or not take sides, in foreign

affairs. Political parties developed

because of his views. The Federalists,

such as Alexander Hamilton, supported

Washington’s ideas. The Democratic-

Republicans, such as Thomas Jefferson,

defended the power of the states.Washington

tried to keep a balance between

the two parties.

Another problem faced byWashington

was finding ways to pay the expenses of

February 22, December 14,

1732 1775 1781 1787 1789 1797 1799

Washington is

born in

Westmoreland

County,

Virginia.

Washington

leads the

Continental

Army into the

American

Revolution.

Great Britain

surrenders.

Washington

heads the

Constitutional

Convention.

Washington

becomes the

first U.S.

president.

Washington

retires to

Mount Vernon.

Washington

dies at Mount

Vernon.

T I M E L I N E

20 Washington, George BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA

 

the new government. Congress passed

taxes on certain products, including

whiskey. In 1794 farmers in Pennsylvania

rebelled against the whiskey tax.

Washington sent about 13,000 soldiers

to end the rebellion. His actions showed

the power of the federal government.

Retirement and Death

After eight years as president,Washington

refused to run for a third term. He

retired to Mount Vernon in March

1797. On December 14, 1799, he died

of a throat infection. In 1800 the U.S.

capital was moved from Philadelphia to

the new city ofWashington, D.C.,

named in honor of the first president.

#More to explore

Adams, John • American Revolution

• Continental Congress • French and

IndianWar • United States • United

States Constitution

Wasp

Wasps are insects related to bees and

ants. There are more than 20,000 species,

or types, of wasp. Yellow jacket and

hornet are common names for several

wasp species.

Wasps live on every continent except

Antarctica. They are plentiful in tropical

areas.

Wasps vary in color and size. Yellow

jackets and hornets are black and yellow.

Other wasps may have green, blue, or

red markings. Some species measure up

to 2.5 inches (6 centimeters) long. Others

are among the world’s smallest

insects.Wasps usually have two pairs of

clear wings and six legs. Females often

have a powerful stinger.

Some wasps live in groups called colonies.

These insects are called social

wasps. A female known as the queen

starts the colony. She builds a paperlike

nest and lays eggs in it. Her first batch

of offspring gathers food and works to

make the nest bigger.

Most types of wasp do not form colonies.