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Early Life
He was born in a wealthy farming family in Virginia -
Early Life
He became a government surveyor. -
Military Service
He joined a volunteer army. -
Military Service
He got promoted and led a French army unit. -
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Political Career
He joined the Virginia House of Burgesses -
Military Service
He retired from the militia as a full colonel. -
Political Career
During Washington’s time as a representative, England imposed heavy taxes on American colonies and along with many of his representatives, Washington grew to believe that the colonies needed to be separated from England. -
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Military Service
When war broke out, he was the general and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. -
Legacy
Washington’s estate is a National Historic landmark -
Political Career
After the war, he presided over the Constitutional Convention -
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Political Career
He was elected the first president of the United States. -
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Views on Slavery
He had come to believe that slavery needed to end but he worried outlawing it too quickly would tear the country apart. -
Views on Slavery
He didn’t think all Americans were deserving of such freedoms and he kept hundreds of enslaved people at his estate. -
Views on Slavery
Due to friendships with northerners like Ben Franklin and John Adams, his views evolved. -
Legacy
Before he stepped down in 1796, Washington delivered his Farewell Address. -
Views on Slavery
He ordered his enslaved labor to be set free -
Legacy
He oversaw the ratification of the Bill of Rights. -
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Legacy
He left office after 2 terms, which set a precedent and it became law: U.S presidents cannot be elected to more than 2 terms in office. ratified by the states on February 27, 1951, the Twenty-Second Amendment limits an elected president to two terms in office, a total of eight years. -
Early Life
He entered public service.