Manolis aggelopoulos biography of george washington

Ellis brings the exacting scholarship, shrewd analysis, and lyric prose that have made him one of the premier historians of the Revolutionary era. Here is the impetuous young officer whose miraculous survival in combat half-convinced him that he could not be killed. Here is the free-spending landowner whose debts to English merchants instilled him with a prickly resentment of imperial power.

We see the general who lost more battles than he won and the reluctant president who tried to float above the partisan feuding of his cabinet. Six months after the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution was all but lost. A powerful British force had routed the Americans at New York, occupied three colonies, and advanced within sight of Philadelphia.

Yet, as David Hackett Fischer recounts in this riveting history, George Washington and many other Americans refused to let the Revolution die. A second battle of Trenton followed within days. The British were badly shaken. In twelve weeks of winter fighting, their army suffered severe damage, their hold on New Jersey was broken, and their strategy was ruined.

He refused, as it would have been a demotion—the British had ordered that "colonials" could not be ranked any higher than captain—and instead resigned his commission. When he rejoined Braddock at Monongahela, still very ill, the French and their Indian allies ambushed the divided army. Two-thirds of the British force became casualties in the ensuing Battle of the Monongahelaand Braddock was killed.

Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas GageWashington rallied the survivors and formed a rear guardallowing the remnants of the force to retreat. The Virginia Regiment was reconstituted in Augustand Dinwiddie appointed Washington its commander, again with the rank of colonel. Washington clashed over seniority almost immediately, this time with Captain John Dagworthywho commanded a detachment of Marylanders at the regiment's headquarters in Fort Cumberland.

Loudoun humiliated Washington, refused him a royal commission, and agreed only to relieve him of the responsibility of manning Fort Cumberland. The French had abandoned the fort and the valley before the assault, however, and Washington only saw a friendly fire incident which left 14 dead and 26 injured. Frustrated, he resigned his commission soon afterwards and returned to Mount Vernon.

Under Washington, the Virginia Regiment had defended miles km of frontier against twenty Indian attacks in ten months. Though he failed to realize a royal commission, which made him hostile towards the British, [ 31 ] he gained self-confidence, leadership skills, and knowledge of British military tactics. The destructive competition Washington witnessed among colonial politicians fostered his later support of a strong central government.

Martha was intelligent, gracious, and experienced in managing a planter's estate, and the couple had a happy marriage. As a result, he became one of the wealthiest men in Virginia, which increased his social standing. At Washington's urging, Governor Lord Botetourt fulfilled Dinwiddie's promise to grant land bounties to those who served with volunteer militias during the French and Indian War.

Crawford allotted 23, acres 9, ha to Washington, who told the veterans that their land was unsuitable for farming and agreed to purchase 20, acres 8, haleaving some feeling that they had been duped. As a respected military hero and large landowner, Washington held local offices and was elected to the Virginia provincial legislature, representing Frederick County in the Virginia House of Burgesses for seven years beginning in Washington was opposed to the taxes which the British Parliament imposed on the Colonies without proper representation.

In response to the Townshend Actshe introduced a proposal in May which urged Virginians to boycott British goods; the Townshend Acts were mostly repealed in Parliament sought to punish Massachusetts colonists for their role in the Boston Tea Party in by passing the Coercive Actswhich Washington saw as "an invasion of our rights and privileges".

The American Revolutionary War broke out on April 19, He was unanimously elected by Congress the next day. Similarly, Washington was impressed by Alexander Hamilton 's intelligence and bravery; he would later promote Hamilton to colonel and appoint him his aide-de-camp. Washington initially banned the enlistment of Black soldiers, both free and enslaved.

The British saw an opportunity to divide the colonies: the colonial governor of Virginia issued a proclamation promising freedom to slaves if they joined the British forces. In Aprilin response to the growing rebellious movement, British troops occupied Bostonled by General Thomas Gagecommander of British forces in America. When the Charles River froze over, Washington was eager to cross and storm Boston, but Gates and others were opposed to having untrained militia attempt to assault well-garrisoned fortifications.

Instead, Washington agreed to secure the Dorchester Heights above Boston to try to force the British out. Washington entered the city with men, giving them explicit orders not to plunder. After the victory at Boston, Washington correctly guessed that the British would return to New York City and retaliate. He arrived there on April 13,and ordered the construction of fortifications.

He also ordered his forces to treat civilians and their property with respect, to avoid the abuses Bostonians suffered at the hands of British troops. Howe's troop strength totaled 32, regulars and Hessian auxiliaries ; Washington had 23, men, mostly untrained recruits and militia. Overruling his generals, Washington chose to fight, based on inaccurate information that Howe's army had only around 8, soldiers.

Howe sent a message to Washington to negotiate peace, addressing him as "George Washington, Esq. In November, Howe captured Fort Washington. Loyalists in New York City considered Howe a liberator and spread a rumor that Washington had set fire to the city. Washington crossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvaniawhere General John Sullivan joined him with 2, more troops.

Washington returned to New Jersey on January 3,launching an attack on the British regulars at Princetonwith 40 Americans killed or wounded and British killed or captured. In the Battle of Brandywine on September 11,Howe outmaneuvered Washington and marched unopposed into the American capital at Philadelphia. A Patriot attack against the British at Germantown in October failed.

Concerned about Burgoyne's movements southward, Washington sent reinforcements north with Generals Benedict Arnold and Benjamin Lincoln. On October 7,Burgoyne tried to take Bemis Heights but was isolated from support and forced to surrender. Gates' victory emboldened Washington's critics, who favored Gates as a military leader. Washington and his army of 11, men went into winter quarters at Valley Forge north of Philadelphia in December There they lost between 2, and 3, men as a result of disease and lack of food, clothing, and shelter, reducing the army to below 9, men.

Washington's supporters resisted, and the matter was ultimately dropped. Washington made repeated petitions to Congress for provisions and expressed the urgency of the situation to a congressional delegation. In earlythe French entered into a Treaty of Alliance with the Americans. He chose to order a limited strike on the retreating British.

Generals Lee and Lafayette moved with 4, men, without Washington's knowledge, and bungled their first strike on June Washington relieved Lee and achieved a draw after an expansive battle. The British continued their retreat to New York. Washington would not fight the British in a major engagement again for more than three years".

Washington became America's first spymaster by designing an espionage system against the British. Washington had disregarded incidents of disloyalty by Arnold, who had distinguished himself in many campaigns, including the invasion of Quebec. He assumed personal command at West Point and reorganized its defenses. Washington was reinvigorated, however, when Lafayette returned from France with more ships, men, and supplies, [ ] and 5, veteran French troops led by Marshal Rochambeau arrived at Newport, Rhode Island in July.

General Clinton sent Arnold, now a British brigadier general, to Virginia in December with 1, troops to capture Portsmouth and conduct raids on Patriot forces. Washington sent Lafayette south to counter Arnold's efforts. Inexperienced in siege warfare, he often deferred to the judgment of Rochambeau. Despite this, Rochambeau never challenged Washington's authority as the battle's commanding officer.

The final American offensive began with a shot fired by Washington. When peace negotiations began in Aprilboth the British and French began gradually evacuating their forces. The account was settled, though it was vague about large sums and included expenses his wife had incurred through visits to his headquarters. When the Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3,Britain officially recognized American independence.

Washington disbanded his army, giving a farewell address to his soldiers on November 2. In early DecemberWashington bade farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern and resigned as commander-in-chief soon after. I will move gently down the stream of life, until I sleep with my fathers. Ferling wrote that he was delighted to be "free of the manolis aggelopoulos biography of george washington of a camp and the busy scenes of public life".

Washington reactivated his interests in the Great Dismal Swamp and Potomac Canal projects, begun before the war, though neither paid him any dividends. Creditors paid him in depreciated wartime currency, and he owed significant amounts in taxes and wages. Mount Vernon had made no profit during his absence, and he saw persistently poor crop yields due to pestilence and bad weather.

His estate recorded its eleventh year running at a deficit in To make his estate profitable again, Washington undertook a new landscaping plan and succeeded in cultivating a range of fast-growing trees and native shrubs. Before returning to private life in JuneWashington called for a strong union. Though he was concerned that he might be criticized for meddling in civil matters, he sent a circular letter to the states, maintaining that the Articles of Confederation were no more than "a rope of sand".

He believed the nation was on the verge of "anarchy and confusion", was vulnerable to foreign intervention, and that a national constitution would unify the states under a strong central government. When Shays' Rebellion erupted in Massachusetts in AugustWashington was further convinced that a national constitution was needed. He had concerns about the legality of the convention and consulted James MadisonHenry Knoxand others.

They persuaded him to attend as they felt his presence might induce reluctant states to send delegates and smooth the way for the ratification process while also giving legitimacy to the convention. Washington arrived in Philadelphia on May 9,and the manolis aggelopoulos biography of george washington began on May Benjamin Franklin nominated Washington to preside over the meeting, and he was unanimously elected.

The delegates to the Convention for the first presidential election anticipated a Washington presidency and left it to him to define the office once elected. Livingston administered the oath, using a Bible provided by the Masons. Washington wrote to James Madison : "As the first of everything in our situation will serve to establish a precedent, it is devoutly wished on my part that these precedents be fixed on true principles.

Washington was an able administrator and judge of talent and character. Washington's cabinet became a consulting and advisory body, not mandated by the Constitution. Washington opposed political factionalism and remained non-partisan throughout his presidency the only United States president to do so. He was sympathetic to a Federalist form of government.

Hamilton formed the Federalist Party to promote national credit and a financially powerful nation. Jefferson opposed Hamilton's agenda and founded the Jeffersonian Republicans. Washington favored Hamilton's agenda, however, and it ultimately went into effect—resulting in bitter controversy. Washington initially planned to retire after his first term, weary of office and in poor health.

After dealing with the infighting in his cabinet and with partisan critics, he showed little enthusiasm for a second term, and Martha wanted him not to run.

Manolis aggelopoulos biography of george washington

Madison told him that his absence would allow the dangerous political rift in his cabinet and the House to worsen. Jefferson also pleaded with him not to retire, pledging to drop his attacks on Hamilton. On April 22,after the French Revolutionary Wars broke out, Washington issued a proclamation declaring American neutrality. He was resolved to pursue "a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerent Powers" while warning Americans not to intervene in the conflict.

He procured four American ships as privateers to strike at Spanish forces British allies in Florida while organizing militias to strike at other British possessions. However, his efforts failed to draw the United States into the conflict. During his second term Washington faced two major domestic conflicts. The first was the Whiskey Rebellion —a Pennsylvania revolt against liquor taxation.

Washington mobilized a militia and personally commanded an expedition against the rebels which suppressed the insurgency. Hamilton formulated the Jay Treaty to normalize trade relations with Britain while removing them from western forts, and also to resolve financial debts remaining from the Revolution. Washington supported the treaty because it avoided war, [ ] although he was disappointed that its provisions favored Britain.

The agreement secured peace with Britain and a decade of prosperous trade; however, Jefferson claimed that it angered France and "invited rather than avoided" war. On July 31,Jefferson submitted his resignation from cabinet. After losing his father when he was 13, he tried to help his family by working in several clubs. His singing talent attracted many composers and producers offering him the opportunity to record his first song in He gained popularity during the s through his love songs as well as songs about Greek refugees and exotic places.

He also brought a mix of Greek-Gypsy-Arabian influences into his songs. The melody is based on a tune by the Egyptian composer Mohammed Abdel Wahab. Manolis Angelopoulos died in London hospital on 2 Aprilone week before his fifty years, due to complications from heart surgery triple bypasswhich he had submitted on 14 January. He married a native Greek woman, Anna Vasileiou, who was also a singer.

The first recording followed in At the beginning of came the first great success, which paved the way for him to reach the top. His music has influences from Greek folk and Arabic music, while he was mainly an exponent of tsifteteli. He collaborated with many important creators of folk song, such as Manolis Chiotis, Vassilis Tsitsanis, George Mitsakis and others and released many albums that were a great success.