Biography The Life of George Washington
You may know that George Washington was the first
president of the United Faed John by portrait the on based Holl William by printed
States of America. But he George Washington Taking the Salute at Trenton at Salute the Taking Washington George was also a farmer, a soldier, and a born leader. Let’s
learn more about this man. , , Growing Up in Virginia George Washington was born in 1732 many Virginia families at that time, in Virginia. As a boy, Washington the Washington family owned slaves. studied math, geography, English, and Slaves were made to work the land for Latin. He learned how to grow crops no pay. They were not free and had and raise farm animals. He also learned no rights. They were forced to obey how to hunt and live in the woods. their owners and were often punished harshly. George was given his own When he was 20, Washington became slaves when he was only 11 years old. the owner of his family’s land. His home was called Mount Vernon. Like (continues on next page)
© Center for the Collaborative Classroom 1 A Soldier and a Leader The Father of Our In 1754, a war started over which Country countries owned what land in North After the Revolutionary War, a group America. It was called the French and of people met to write the Constitution Indian War. Washington became a of the United States. They made soldier. He led troops from Virginia in Washington the leader of their group. fighting many battles. In 1789, Washington was elected the In 1758, Washington was elected to new country’s first president. He served Virginia’s government. The following as president for 8 years. After his year, he married Martha Custis. presidency, he returned to Mount Martha’s first husband, a very rich Vernon to manage his land and spend landowner, had died. Together, they time with his family. By the time he raised Martha’s two children from her died in 1799, he was against slavery. first marriage. According to his wishes, most of the slaves at Mount Vernon were freed. A Man of Courage George Washington was a strong In 1775, the Revolutionary War leader. He led soldiers into battle. started. In this war, the American He led the way in forming a new states fought to be free from Great government. And he led the country Britain. Washington was chosen to as its first president. For these reasons, lead the army. It was a very hard job. Washington is often called “the father The British had more soldiers and of our country.” more weapons. Early in the war, Washington’s troops met a terrible Service. Park National Interior the of Department U.S. The of Courtesy defeat. Under his command, more than 3,000 men were killed. Although he lost more battles than he won, his leadership and courage helped the states win the war.
The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., honors the first president of the United States of America.
© Center for the Collaborative Classroom 2 Biography The Life of George Washington
You may know that George Washington was the first
president of the United Faed John by portrait the on based Holl William by printed
States of America. But he
, , Trenton at Salute the Taking Washington George was also a farmer, a soldier, and a born leader. Let’s learn more about this man.
Growing Up in Virginia George Washington was born in 1732 many Virginia families at that time, in Virginia. As a boy, Washington the Washington family owned slaves. studied math, geography, English, and Slaves were made to work the land for Latin. He learned how to grow crops no pay. They were not free and had and raise farm animals. He also learned no rights. They were forced to obey how to hunt and live in the woods. their owners and were often punished harshly. George was given his own When he was 20, Washington became slaves when he was only 11 years old. the owner of his family’s land. His home was called Mount Vernon. Like (continues on next page)
© Center for the Collaborative Classroom 1 A Soldier and a Leader The Father of Our In 1754, a war started over which Country countries owned what land in North After the Revolutionary War, a group America. It was called the French and of people met to write the Constitution Indian War. Washington became a of the United States. They made soldier. He led troops from Virginia in Washington the leader of their group. fighting many battles. In 1789, Washington was elected the In 1758, Washington was elected to new country’s first president. He served Virginia’s government. The following as president for 8 years. After his year, he married Martha Custis. presidency, he returned to Mount Martha’s first husband, a very rich Vernon to manage his land and spend landowner, had died. Together, they time with his family. By the time he raised Martha’s two children from her died in 1799, he was against slavery. first marriage. According to his wishes, most of the slaves at Mount Vernon were freed. A Man of Courage George Washington was a strong In 1775, the Revolutionary War leader. He led soldiers into battle. started. In this war, the American He led the way in forming a new states fought to be free from Great government. And he led the country Britain. Washington was chosen to as its first president. For these reasons, lead the army. It was a very hard job. Washington is often called “the father The British had more soldiers and of our country.” more weapons. Early in the war, Washington’s troops met a terrible Service. Park National Interior the of Department U.S. The of Courtesy defeat. Under his command, more than 3,000 men were killed. Although he lost more battles than he won, his leadership and courage helped the states win the war.
The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., honors the first president of the United States of America.
© Center for the Collaborative Classroom 2