History Essay Question #2: George Washington or Abraham Lincoln? Whose contributions were greater t
Abraham Lincoln and George Washington were two of the most famous presidents in the history of the United States. They were both considered revolutionary and are memorialized for their great efforts in statues, in the U.S. currency, and Mount Rushmore. They also both served two terms in office during their own time. But, who will come out on top? I believe that it is and always was George Washington because he was the founder of the country and without him even Lincoln wouldn't be known for who he was now.
George Washington started off his life by being born into a mildly prosperous family in Virginia, in 1732, February 22. His father died at the age of eleven and his mother, Mary, was barely holding the home together by threads. He was never able to receive a full education as a child but he showed a great skill in math. This knack for numbers combined with his quiet confidence and ambition grasped the attention of Lord Fairfax, head of one of the most powerful families in Virginia. While working for him as a surveyor, only at the age of sixteen, the young boy traveled deeper into the American wilderness. He has always been an independent man, coming from a home that he needed to make for himself and never really relying on anyone else.
George Washington was the first president of the United States. He served from 1789 to 1797 and was the basis and example for future presidents to come. He is often referred to as the father of our nation. As he was elected he was the only president to get all of the electoral college’s votes for both terms, but refused for the third consecutive term in office. Washington also has organized the first United States Cabinet and the Executive Branch. He established the US federal judiciary and he had played a major role in bringing amendments to the US Constitution through the Bill Of Rights.
You could also say that he was the most peaceful president for all the treaties he has signed. He signed the Jay Treaty in 1794, pronouncing the beginning of a decade of peace with Britain, signed the Treaty of Greenville, bringing the end to the Northwest Indian War and in the same year he signed the Pickney’s Treaty, and he established America’s friendship with Spain. And In 1973 George Washington issued the Proclamation Of Neutrality. The Proclamation was mainly to avoid any involvement in foreign conflicts, since George Washington himself, was never part of any party.
But even before he became president he was a busy man. On June 19, 1775, George Washington was commissioned as the general and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolution. Washington took enormous duties during the war. He plotted the overall strategy of the war along with Congress. He also organized and trained the army while maintaining their morale. Most importantly his stature as well as his political and personal skill was instrumental to make the Congress, the army, the French and the states work towards a common goal. His determination was additionally very admirable, though he lost battles, he never surrendered his army during the war. And because of all this success the people wanted to make him the new "king" because they all had adored him but instead of seizing power, Washington resigned as Commander-in-chief and returned as quickly as possible to cultivating his lands.
Many people can also argue that Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, was a more important president because of the Civil War, which he was most known for. The Civil War was a war that divided the nation between the north and the south, the north believed that all people should be equal and that there should be no more slaves, but the south needed slaves because it was almost essential to their agrarian lifestyle. Lincoln led the north to victory ending slavery, during his presidency. But he may have not even have the opportunity to have become president because if Washington had a lower standard for the country and was going to allow another monarchy Lincoln may as well have not existed. So since, Washington basically created the country and created the base for Lincoln's title it wouldn't have been possible for him to become who he was without him.
Overall, both presidents had great terms but in this battle Washington trumps Lincoln, from leading the country towards independence to leaving a lasting impression on our future generations to come. Hopefully the next generations realize the importance of both predecessors and continue to look up and strive to be and what they have become.
