One of the earliest notable political conflicts of the United States was the Newburgh Conspiracy by officers of the Continental Army. An issue of this caliber could have easily gotten out of hand and caused a series of chaotic events with Congress. It was the admirable leadership of General George Washington that prevented a disaster that could have ruined the growing democracy that is the United States. An address so important that historians now reference Washington as an ideal leader who puts our nation’s state of well being above all.
The year is 1783. British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown two years earlier and the American Revolution ended with a brutal finale. Impatience is growing at West Point as the Treaty of Paris has yet to be signed to officially end the war. Officers of the Continental Army are at conflict with Congress because “the civilian population did not sufficiently appreciate their long service and sacrifices” (Lanning 312). Washington, however, knew exactly what his fellow commanders were advocating and he also knew how to communicate that information to Congress.
A great example of Washington’s relationship with his army would be looking back to 1782 when he created the Purple Heart award, which is presented “whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed” …show more content…
Congress’s recent legislation to restrict payment for retired soldiers upset members of the army. That is why, on March 15th, 1783, Washington made an unexpected appearance at the meeting regarding the Newburgh Conspiracy. The address began with Washington convincing his officers to place their “full confidence in the purity of the intentions of Congress” (George Washington's Mount Vernon) which validated that the General was working with Congress to get the Treaty of Paris signed and to fix the issues that soldiers cared about
The year is 1783. British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown two years earlier and the American Revolution ended with a brutal finale. Impatience is growing at West Point as the Treaty of Paris has yet to be signed to officially end the war. Officers of the Continental Army are at conflict with Congress because “the civilian population did not sufficiently appreciate their long service and sacrifices” (Lanning 312). Washington, however, knew exactly what his fellow commanders were advocating and he also knew how to communicate that information to Congress.
A great example of Washington’s relationship with his army would be looking back to 1782 when he created the Purple Heart award, which is presented “whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed” …show more content…
Congress’s recent legislation to restrict payment for retired soldiers upset members of the army. That is why, on March 15th, 1783, Washington made an unexpected appearance at the meeting regarding the Newburgh Conspiracy. The address began with Washington convincing his officers to place their “full confidence in the purity of the intentions of Congress” (George Washington's Mount Vernon) which validated that the General was working with Congress to get the Treaty of Paris signed and to fix the issues that soldiers cared about