How Is George Washington A Hero

Most of the country was stunned when in September of 1796, George Washington, who was “the Father of the Country” before there was even a country, the Washington whose coat and pants were pierced by bullets while he was unharmed, the man whose face adorned their silverware, plates, and coins, submitted his imminent retirement in a Philadelphia newspaper. While the people of the Union were shocked, the government had suspected Washington’s departure for several months. However, the President had already nearly retired twice, once before he became president in 1789, and once after his first term, but had been convinced by advisors and even Jefferson that his leadership was needed. Why was he retiring now? Two terms seemed short to a generation …show more content…
He was simply aging. However, age is not the only contributing factor. Washington’s second term had been harassed by critics, making ridiculous claims such as Washington was a traitor during the Revolution, but had been beaten to the punch by Benedict Arnold. But the biggest argument made was that Washington was a “quasi-king”. The revolution had called for a strong leader was a “singular character”. However, the revolution was fighting against a monarch and therefore some took suspicion at political authority. Washington fit so well into the niche of a singular character that to some he appeared a “republican king”, which the nation had worked so hard at ridding itself of. By voluntarily retiring while still having a great reputation, Washington had showed in a single action that he was completely supporting the republic, and not despotism. However, though the Farewell address announced the departure of Washington, the letter stated guidance that Washington felt the country needed. First, the Union needed unity above all, specifically addressing the dangerous rifts that parties brought. Second, they must achieve independence and neutrality concerning other countries. These two ideas are expanded upon by Ellis. Another contributions that the address brings includes the establishment of the two-term presidency, which was kept until F.D.R. became