Born in 1732, to a wealthy family of Virginia plantation owners, George Washington had, ironically, begun his career as a soldier fighting those who, twenty years later, would become his greatest allies. In 1754, as a young Lieutenant-Colonel in the Anglo-American forces, the future first president of the United States fought the French during the skirmishes that preceded the Seven Years War. On May 10, 1 775, he was named commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. He wasted no time transforming a group of volunteers into an effective fighting force. Aided by military advisors from Europe - some reproached his favoritism towards La Fayette - Washington put together an army that took the offensive, even after that dreadful winter
at Valley Forge, and routed the English before finally defeating them at
Yorktown.
Embassy of France in the U.S. - September 13, 2001
Born in 1732, to a wealthy family of Virginia plantation owners, George Washington had, ironically, begun his career as a soldier fighting those who, twenty years later, would become his greatest allies. In 1754, as a young Lieutenant-Colonel in the Anglo-American forces, the future first president of the United States fought the French during the skirmishes that preceded the Seven Years War. On May 10, 1 775, he was named commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. He wasted no time transforming a group of volunteers into an effective fighting force. Aided by military advisors from Europe - some reproached his favoritism towards La Fayette - Washington put together an army that took the offensive, even after that dreadful winter
at Valley Forge, and routed the English before finally defeating them at
Yorktown.
