Why was George Washington considered one of the best revolutionaries?

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:02:01 -0500

1. He overcame a terrible supply problem of ammo, food, shoes, and uniforms.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 11:02 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:02:58 -0500

He did more with less. That's how the Army works!

Response by SGT William Howell made Feb 16 at 2016 11:07 AM

SGT William Howell — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:07:52 -0500

2. He was an outside the box thinker when it came to formulating battle plans. He effectively used guerrilla troops and spies.
3. He would not run for a 3rd term as President because he believed that politics was not meant to be a job, but a duty.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Feb 16 at 2016 11:08 AM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:08:14 -0500

Not because of the massive amount of victories he had, but his ability to keep from having a total loss.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 11:08 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:08:24 -0500

He won!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 16 at 2016 11:09 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:09:32 -0500

2. He had to plead to his soldiers to return after fall harvests and the end of enlistments.

Response by SSgt Mark Lines made Feb 16 at 2016 11:14 AM

SSgt Mark Lines — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:14:01 -0500

He also stayed true to the ideals of the Revolution. After the Revolution was won, he stopped a group of Army officers from instigating a coup (The Newburgh Conspiracy) against Congress over pay. Finally, instead of using his prestige with the military and the American people to take power, he resigned his commission as Commander in Chief. Just as Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus had done in Ancient Rome.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 11:33 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:33:02 -0500

He adapted to the situations and overcome obstacles to achieve victory.

Response by CSM William Payne made Feb 16 at 2016 11:42 AM

CSM William Payne — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:42:02 -0500

George Washington proved that he was the right man at the right time. Between his experience of fighting with the British against the French in the French and Indian War and the first battles of the Revolutionary War he realized very early that he could not fight the most experienced, best equipped military in the world at that time straight up, toe to toe. His greatest strength was realizing and identifying the weaknesses of his Army. That's exactly why he brought in von Steuben. He managed to keep the British Army at arms length and for the most part of the war fight battles on his terms. Much like our opponents in the War on Terror, Washington understood that time, distance and attrition were his best allies if he was going to have a chance to win the war or at worse take it to a stalemate. He was politician enough and had just the right gravitas and influence to persuade the Contenential Congres to give him the minimum of funding to fight the war. You would have been very hard pressed to find someone else to lead our young nation to victory.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 16 at 2016 12:32 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 12:32:58 -0500

George Washington was instrumental in French policy supporting the Americans.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 12:46 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 12:46:18 -0500

In the stream of history .... he is a stone that standout above the water. there are many many ... too many stone and tiny stone(sand) under him to raise him above. Every single one of them will had changed the tile of the war.

President George Washington was the right man, at the right position, and at the right time to be there. Said it as fate or divine intervention as you see fit, we never know who will be the stone above the water ... until the moment arrive.

Blessed we are, to have him as the commander-in-chief to lead us to freedom, and now ... ... we will need to keep it for our children ...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 16 at 2016 1:34 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 13:34:13 -0500

I would not consider him to be a revolutionary MAJ Ken Landgren. Rather he was a great and courageous leader with a keen sense of strategy.
When I think of revolutionaries I think of the reign of terror in France, the red forces in WWI Russia, Che Guevara and the Castro brothers in Cuba, etc.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 16 at 2016 2:04 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 14:04:44 -0500

At one point he was a surveyor and understood terrain and how it impacted British formations.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 2:12 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 14:12:06 -0500

Probably the least accurately understood leader in US history.

Washington has been portrayed as having an otherwise "lack-luster" career in the British military-In reality, he was a highly experienced officer whose actions during the French and Indian War should've catapulted him into the higher ranks of the King's Army...but whose colonial status held him back.

Washington is always portrayed as inhumanly "humble"-In reality, he was a constant social climber who strategically sought out and obtained the position to lead both the military and political spheres of the Revolution. His marriage was a calculated one...his decisions as President, profoundly Machiavellian.

Washington is portrayed as "honest"-He probably WAS a man of integrity...but also the single greatest master of deception on either side of the conflict. His ring of spies ultimately enabled the Continental Army to efficiently use lessons learned to tactical advantage, and his skillful understanding of politics led to the partnership with the French which ultimately forced Great Britain to accept terms.

The man was first and foremost..DRIVEN.

He was also aristocratic in his sentiment...pragmatic...and anything but idealistic. If the Brits had promoted him to Colonel in the 1750s and given him a post in Scotland or Ireland...I'd say he'd have been leading at least one of the invasion arms wearing red during the Revolution.

Response by Alan K. made Feb 16 at 2016 3:00 PM

Alan K. — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 15:00:48 -0500

He got the job done, no matter what. Improvised adapted and overcame the enemy.....

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made Feb 17 at 2016 3:15 PM

SSgt Robert Marx — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 15:15:41 -0500

President Washington was the epitome of the American citizen soldier. He blended perfectly throughout his life his dual roles of being an officer and a planter at Mount Vernon. He was a godly man who prayed often and in solitude. His temperament and connections proved him to be the ideal commanding general for the American armies yet he always held power loosely and allowed other generals to win victories. His two terms as president formed the pattern for all the following administrations with using a cabinet system with the secretaries subordinate to the president. He completed two terms and retired which has been the historical norm. He could have become king if he wished but he was a true democrat. I believe that he was the greatest of all our presidents.

Response by MSgt Darren VanDerwilt made Feb 18 at 2016 2:51 PM

MSgt Darren VanDerwilt — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:51:30 -0500

I see him as a military leader and thinker who wrote his own rule book on warfare and how to conduct it. He turned contemporary military concepts on their head. For example, most western armies would not operate during winter months. He capitalized on this mindset in his crossing of the Delaware, surprising and defeating the Hessian troops at Trenton. He demonstrated concern for his soldiers well being and morale by not overtaxing them or throwing them into useless battle. The American war for independence could not have been won without him.