Part B: Becoming a Leader T he conflict that Americans call “the ” played a GOALS pivotal role in the life of . As Washington himself In Part B recalls in his “Remarks,” his experiences were dramatic and life-changing. students will: At the beginning of the conflict, Washington was an inexperienced Expand young officer. Just a year later, he was acclaimed a hero after the Battle knowledge of Washington’s of the Monongahela, or “Braddock’s Defeat.” young adult years By reading the “Remarks,” written when Washington was in his fifties, students will visit key moments in Washington’s life during the Examine Washington’s French and Indian War. They will see Washington as a widely known role in pivotal events of the military officer devoted to furthering his reputation and serving his French and country, England. They also will see a man who suffered both defeat Indian War and glory and who matured during this time. The war laid the Explore foundations for the person George Washington would become: family Washington’s reactions to key man, farmer, visionary entrepreneur, statesman, general, and first experiences as president of the United States. described in the “Remarks” Analyze historical For Part B, Level One use to speculate on how different he seems in the Resource Pages 9–11 and two images. Ask them to imagine themselves perspective as Images 2, 7–10 on the in each situation. Tell the class that they are reflected in a CD-ROM. going to find out what it was like to be in memoir that battle scene; they’ll see how far away the soldier was from the boy who worried about Answer Level One (Grades 4-6) fleas and lice! the Focus Question: How Getting Started 2 To prepare students for this “close up” did Washington’s study of Washington’s experiences, either 1 experiences in To visualize how George Washington teach or review the subject of the French and changed as he grew up, ask students to the French and Indian War, using your text or other Indian War compare the picture of Washington as a classroom resources. young surveyor (Image 2: Washington as a prepare him for Young Surveyor) with a painting of him in 3 As an additional resource on the war and his role as a the Battle of the Monongahela (Image 7a: Washington, distribute Resource Page 9: military leader? Washington at the Battle of the Monongahela) Timeline: George Washington and the French just seven years later. Remind students of and Indian War. Suggest that students use the how young Washington is in both scenes (16 timeline as a mini-biography that will provide and 23 years old respectively) and ask them background knowledge to the readings. 15 Part B: Becoming a Leader

Reading and Reflecting The excerpts in Part B come from At the Start of War the manuscript historians call the 1 Explain that on May 28, 1754, George “…from 1754 to “Remarks.” The “Remarks” were Washington and his men were involved in a 1759, minor skirmish with the French in the woods written by Washington when he Washington near Great Meadows, Pennsylvania. It was spent the bulk of was in his fifties, shortly before during this skirmish that the first shots of the his time west of he became the country’s first French and Indian War were fired. Tell the the Blue Ridge, president. The manuscript consists class that Washington believed the French leading a series would counterattack and so, out of necessity, of expeditions of comments about a biogra- he had his soldiers erect a protective into the Ohio phical manuscript submitted to stockade, which he called Fort Necessity. Country that him by his close friend David Show students Image 8: Fort Necessity Today, served as crash explaining that this re-creation from a film Humphreys. Washington intended courses in the shows George Washington in front of a art of soldiering. his comments for Humphreys’ reconstruction of the fort on the original site. They also eyes only. Be sure that students Discuss with students what kind of provided him understand that the “Remarks” protection they think this would have with a truly provided. (Based on the photograph of the searing set of are a primary source, as much as reconstructed Fort Necessity, students should see personal experi- a personal letter or journal entry. that the fort was hastily erected and would ences that have offered little safety.) shaped his basic outlook on the 2 Tell students that in early July the French world.” did counterattack, and Washington found Joseph J. Ellis, 4 Invite students to continue to add to and himself involved in the first major battle of His Excellency, change entries on the Who Was George the war. This was also Washington’s first true George Washington? chart, which they began in battle experience, and the first time he was in Washington Part A. command. Washington did not emerge a victor or hero. Instead, he was defeated by 5 Tell students that they are going to learn, the French and their Indian allies and forced in Washington’s own words, of his first to surrender. So that students can visualize experiences in defending his country. Note the scene, distribute or display Image 9: The that in a little more than 20 years, George Battle at the Great Meadows, which shows Washington would be the most important Robert Griffing’s painting “A Charming Field Part A: military leader in America. Post the Focus for an Encounter.” Level One Question for this investigation: How did 3 Distribute copies of Resource Page 11: Level Two Washington’s experiences in the French At the Great Meadows, 1754 and tell students Making and Indian War prepare him for his role Connections as a military leader? that they are going to hear Washington’s own recollections of this battle. Provide some Part B: background on the “Remarks” (see boxed Level One text above, and page 30 in this Guide) before Level Two students study the adapted version. Ask Making students to imagine being there as you read Connections

16 Part B: Becoming a Leader

the excerpts aloud to the class. Then have ~Why did Washington surrender? (He saw students work in pairs to answer the Guided no signs of improving his situation. The soldiers Reading Questions. were out of supplies and food, and a large number of officers and soldiers were killed or 4 Copy the sequence below so that students Artist Robert wounded. Washington appears realistic rather Griffing took the can follow it as they reread the account. than desperate.) Display or distribute Image 10: Map of the title of his War at the Forks of the Ohio, 1754–1758, so ~What kind of leader does Washington painting from that they can track the actions on the map. appear to be? (Washington described himself as Washington’s the brave, aggressive leader at the beginning of comment that Sequence Chart: the confrontation. He and his men attacked the Great and were successful, forcing the French to Meadows was • Troops marched from Winchester, , gather all their forces and counterattack. It was “a charming toward the Forks of the Ohio. not until Washington found himself in an field for an encounter.” • Washington learned that the French had unfortunate location and plagued by heavy taken (the post at the meeting rains that he had to surrender, according to his of the Forks of the Ohio). account. Washington accepted responsibility for Explain that the troops’ actions and their predicament, and Washington for • Washington’s troops fell back to the Great the most part Meadows. in doing so showed leadership qualities.) describes • On May 28, they skirmished with a party of ~Do these excerpts change your image of himself in the French soldiers sent out from Fort Duquesne. Washington? (In revealing the “ups and third person downs” of the encounter at the Great Meadows, • Washington’s troops built Fort Necessity. (“he”) in the Washington appears human. Not everything “Remarks,” • The French attacked on July 3. came easily to him. He also appears to be a because he was compassionate leader. Washington recognized • There was heavy rainfall. responding to a defeat, acknowledging that many of his men biography • The French offered terms of surrender. had been killed or wounded and that they written in the could not have survived much longer.) • Washington accepted terms of surrender. third person.

• Next morning (July 4) Washington and troops retreated.

5 After students have read the excerpts, pose the following questions for discussion. Ask students to cite evidence in their answers and to keep in mind the Focus Question.

~According to his “Remarks,” how did Washington feel about his situation at the Great Meadows? (Washington reported the details about the battle unemotionally, in a matter-of-fact manner. He appears to believe that he did the best job possible. Before the rain, he said, his men were capable of defending the fort. Remind the students that Washington was jotting down notes here, concerned with This record of the First Virginia Regiment, written in April 1771, lists the officers and men in the regiment before the recording his impressions of the battle.) Battle at the Great Meadows in 1754.

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The Young Hero Defeat” and make sequence charts of the 1 Explain to students that after the battle at excerpt’s account. Charts should include: Fort Necessity, George Washington hoped to improve the status of his soldiers, the SEQUENCE CHART Virginia Regiment. He wanted his colonial • Washington resigned from military, then troops to become part of the regular British volunteered for the Braddock campaign. Army. As an officer in the regular British Army, Washington’s own rank would have • He tried unsuccessfully to convince been higher, too. Instead, he learned that the Braddock and officers how best to fight the Virginia Regiment would be dispersed. A enemy. proud Washington resigned from the • The attack at the Monongahela happened military, but was not out of service for long. on July 9. He knew the military life was a good way to • Troops panicked. get ahead. Less than a year after Fort Necessity Washington signed on as a • Washington offered to lead troops in a volunteer with British General Braddock’s different style of fighting but his offer was campaign to oust the French from the Ohio not accepted in time. River Valley. (You might want to ask the • Braddock and other commanding officers students if they agree with these decisions— were wounded. to resign and then to volunteer.) Washington • Washington survived under heavy fire and played a major role in the campaign. led the retreat. Although the campaign failed, Washington survived and became a hero. Shortly after- • Braddock died and was buried by wards, Washington took over the command Washington. of the reorganized Virginia forces. 4 Pose the following questions for discussion. 2 To set the scene, display the two paintings In their answers, students should cite in Image 7: The Battle of the Monongahela evidence from the documents. They will also from the Image Gallery. Distribute copies of need to keep in mind the Focus Question. Resource Page 12: The Battle of the ~Based on these excerpts, what did Monongahela, 1755 and have students read the Washington think of himself and his adapted version of the excerpt to themselves decisions? (He was angry about the military first and then answer the questions on the situation that led him to resign; was happy that handouts. Washington’s recollection of the he had the opportunity to impress Braddock. events at what is called “Braddock’s Defeat” He seems sure of himself—thought that his makes dramatic reading, to say the least. Part A: opinion about attacking the French and Although there are words and references that Level One Indians was right. He was opinionated, as well your students may not understand, they should Level Two as arrogant about British attitude. He probably grasp the confusion, danger, and bravery that Making felt very lucky to have survived unhurt.) Washington described. The painting “Defeat Connections of General Braddock” (Image 7b) presents an ~Does Washington seem eager to get ahead Part B: especially dramatic visual scene of the defeat. and please his superiors? Did he want to be a Level One leader? (Yes. He wanted a higher rank. He was 3 Have students locate key sites on Image 10: Level Two proud that Braddock noticed him. He admitted Map of the War at the Forks of the Ohio, Making that he wanted to impress the general and the 1754–1758. Then, working in pairs, students Connections principal officers. He voiced his opinions about should reread the account of “Braddock’s

18 Part B: Becoming a Leader

improving the troops’ situations. Washington essays by analyzing how Washington’s also took charge when the general and his aides leadership as a young soldier prepared him were wounded and the troops were in a state of for the roles he would play later on. confusion without leadership.) ~Was Washington ambitious? (Washington The CD activity ~Was Washington successful as a leader? (Yes was determined to fight the enemy at the Great Interactive and no. Washington voiced his opinions about Meadows and only surrendered because of Learning when and where to attack but his superiors did location [without defenses] and weather. Journey: not listen to him or immediately recognize that Afterwards, Washington was not discouraged Exploring the his opinions were valid. But Washington was and resigned from the military rather than French and lucky in battle. Unwounded, Washington rose accept a lower rank. Washington volunteered Indian War to the occasion and took charge, especially again for active duty, and to please his allows students overseeing the burial of General Braddock.) superiors, voiced his opinions about military to consider the strategies. He was determined to succeed in who, why, what, ~ Can you put yourself in George battle, but he also was determined to succeed and how of the Washington’s shoes? (Have students ever felt personally—to be noticed. After Braddock was war in a digital unappreciated, felt that they deserved wounded, Washington stepped in and took exploration. something but a less qualified person was charge, handling difficult situations and selected? Have they ever felt that their opinions decisions.) were not taken seriously? Have they ever been the only one to handle a difficult situation, to ~Did he grow as a military leader? (From his have others rely on them?) defeat at the Great Meadows, Washington understood that in order to succeed in battle Pulling It All Together one must know the enemy. Based on his prior 1 Have students review the excerpts on knowledge, he understood during Braddock’s Resource Pages 11 and 12 to consider how Defeat how and from where the French and Washington changed over the course of a their Indian Allies would fight. In all the little more than one year, 1754–55. Have excerpts Washington never questioned his them consider the following questions in abilities. He was fully capable of being a leader. order to write a short essay on Washington Washington also recognized that a leader must the Young Leader. Remind students of the accept responsibility—whether in defeat at the Focus Question; they should conclude their Great Meadows or in difficult situations at Braddock’s Defeat.)

~Was Washington a successful military leader as a young man? (Yes. Washington learned from his mistakes at the Great Meadows and emerged a hero after Braddock’s Defeat, mostly because he miraculously survived and because he showed that he was brave and competent.)

2 Ask for volunteers to read their short essays out loud. In a class discussion have students consider ways in which Washington changed as he experienced the war and ways he remained the same.

A detail from Junius Brutus Stearns’ painting of the Battle of the Monongahela.

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