"The Life of George Washington" (1989) - Mount Vernon Museum Film

thank you [Music] [Music] hello I'm Bill Bradley and no this is not my home although it's so peaceful and beautiful I wish it were this is Mount Vernon the home of George Washington and perhaps next to the White House this is the most famous and recognized house in America it's easy to see why Washington loved this place and why he once said that he would rather be here with his family and friends than in all the Royal palaces with all the kings and queens of Europe you see George Washington was a modest man and although he was the single most important person in America for more than four decades he seldom sought great power and influence instead he usually had it thrust upon him General Washington seemed happiest when he was here on his Plantation riding from Farm to farm testing out new fertilizers experimenting with different crops expanding the Mount Vernon Mansion to take care of his growing family and opening his doors to welcome a remarkable number of uninvited guests yet Washington was time it again asked to leave his happy home to answer the call of his country and fortunately the American people recognized that this man was truly special he possessed superb judgment he was fair and honest almost to a fault and he excelled in the Fine Art of compromise his leadership qualities were unmistakable and All Eyes looked up to him whether on the battlefield at the Constitutional Convention or here at his home in Mount Vernon for the next 20 minutes or so we'll tell the story of George Washington's life and along the way we'll shed some light on how this great country of ours was born and how it thrived under Washington's leadership but I should warn you that if you expect to see wooden teeth or to hear about the silver dollar Washington tossed across the Potomac you might be surprised myths about Washington are everywhere and we'll try to uncover The Man Behind These Legends I think you'll find him quite fascinating thank you [Music] George Washington was born on February 22nd 1732 in a modest home in Westmoreland County Virginia the house was located on Pope's Creek a small branch of the Potomac River foreign Washington is the story in which he confesses to his father that he cut down a cherry tree I cannot tell a lie he said This Charming incident never really happened but Washington's parents had taught him the value of honesty and integrity and these virtues became guiding principles throughout his life little is known of Washington's childhood although some biographers have suggested that he showed qualities of leadership at an early age we can imagine that even at play with his friends he was often able to settle disputes and that his decisions were generally accepted his older half-brother Lawrence told him stories of Adventures in the Royal Navy and at the age of 14 George decided that would be his career it's been said that he even found a position as midshipman but to his great disappointment when he asked his mother for her permission she refused to let him go Washington became a superb Horseman and enjoyed hunting as many Virginia gentlemen did among his great Pleasures were long rides through the lovely Virginia Countryside with George Fairfax a friend from nearby Belvoir Plantation Washington eventually chose surveying as his profession in a Young America where settlers were pushing steadily Westward this skill was constantly in demand his teacher was James Ginn a professional surveyor Washington surveyed the land owned by Lord Fairfax cousin of his friend's father as his experience grew he found he thrived in this rigorous outdoor life his companions were often frontiersmen and Indians and from them he learned the ways of the wilderness foreign at the age of 20 Washington became a Freemason later during the revolution several lodges unanimously recommended him for the office of national Grand Master the unsettled times prevented his actual appointment but the vote reflects the high regard his fellow Freemasons felt for him when he was 21 Washington was chosen by Virginia's Governor Dinwiddie to conduct a special mission to the western territories he was to warn the French to Halt their encroachments on lands in the Ohio Valley that were claimed by the British crown with an interpreter and guides Washington traveled on Horseback in the worst of winter through more than a thousand miles of virtually unexplored Wilderness into what is now Western Pennsylvania he completed his mission and set out on his return trip while crossing the Allegheny River Washington's raft capsized and he was thrown into the icy current this was the first of many brushes with disaster that he would face in his lifetime Slater the governor requested him to return to the West this time with two companies of soldiers Washington's men proceeded into the area where French forces were operating the enemy attacked and although the Virginians were initially successful they were at last compelled to surrender these disheartening battles marked the beginning of the French and Indian War as well as the start of Washington's illustrious military career the energetic Washington now a lieutenant colonel became an aide to General Braddock [Music] the general although unfamiliar with Wilderness fighting ignored Washington's advice to adopt Indian tactics the French and Indians defeated the British and Braddock was mortally wounded by the all-powerful dispensation of Providence Washington wrote I have been protected beyond all human probability for I had four bullets through my coat and two horses shot from under me yet Escape unfortunate his bravery was rewarded with a commission as commander of the Virginia forces he was only 23 years old during a short visit home he met Martha Dandridge custis a young Widow her London gowns and her elegant laces and Pearls reflected her prominent position in Virginia society and hinted at her late husband's wealth Washington's first interview with his future wife took place in 1758 with her were her two children Jackie and young Martha who was usually called Patsy foreign courtship continued for 10 months though it was often interrupted by his military duties after the theater of war moved farther away he resigned his Commission the handsome couple were married on January 6 1759 in Martha's home which was called the White House [Music] guests included Army and Navy officers and several members of the House of Burgesses Virginia's legislature Washington resumed the busy life of a Country Gentleman and continued to pursue his passion for hunting his family estate originally called little Hunting Creek Plantation had been renamed Mount Vernon after Admiral Edward Vernon under whom his half-brother Lawrence had served George and Martha combined their assets and began to develop and improve Mount Vernon Washington designed one of the finest pleasure Gardens in the entire colony and made experimental plantings of dozens of useful crops [Music] he tested various fertilizers and undertook methodical crop rotation adjoining Parcels of land were bought to extend his Mount Vernon Holdings he explored the Dismal Swamp in Southeastern Virginia several times over a period of five years the Dismal Swamp Land Company which Washington formed converted more than 2 000 square miles of watery Wilderness into productive farmlands Washington was repeatedly elected to the House of Burgesses he was present for Patrick Henry's fiery speech denouncing the Stamp Act which imposed unreasonable taxes on the American colonies the colonists look upon this unconstitutional method of Taxation Washington wrote as a direful attack upon their Liberties for we have not the money to pay for the stamps relations with England worsened on June 17 1775 a bloody battle between American Patriots and British soldiers was fought at Bunker Hill near Boston revolution had begun in Earth meanwhile representatives of all the colonies meeting as the Continental Congress had appointed Washington the mandarin-chief of their all but non-existent Army a few weeks later when he took up his command at Cambridge he faced an almost hopeless situation his ragtag troops lacked training and discipline supplies were scanty Washington nevertheless set about creating an effective Army within a year he accomplished this astonishing feat in doing so he showed both Congress and the country that he was an extraordinary Commander from this time until his death he was without question America's one indispensable leader foreign [Music] Congress had drafted the Declaration of Independence cutting all political ties with Great Britain the document was first read to the public on July 4 1776 at the State House in Philadelphia the building now known as Independence Hall Washington was then organizing the defenses of New York City in ordering the Declaration to be read to the Troops he wrote the general hopes that this important event will serve as a fresh incentive to every officer and Soldier to act with Fidelity and courage knowing that the peace and safety of his country depend under God solely on the success of our arms foreign s were desperately outnumbered British strategy as Washington deduced it was to land a large Force at New York hold the city and sweep up the Hudson River to join a second British Army moving down from Canada this would cut the colonies in two and the British assumed and the Rebellion we expect a very bloody summer at New York Washington Road and I am sorry to say we are not either in men or arms prepared for these months were in the words of Thomas Paine the times that crime and souls no American was better qualified than Washington to meet these awesome challenges [Music] a young officer had volunteered to go behind the British lines in Disguise to secure Vital Information he was captured and sentenced to be executed as he bravely faced The Hangman's rope he is reported to have spoken the inspiring words I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country the enemy forced Washington to Retreat northward through New York City at White Plains his men skirmished with British forces through six long weeks with winter approaching he determined to withdraw across New Jersey and into Pennsylvania [Music] 1776 his army crossed the ice-filled Delaware River to make an assault against the enemy although it's not likely that the general actually stood up in an overloaded and unsteady boat this famous picture nicely dramatizes his strength and resolution he poised his men for a surprise attack the Americans caught the enemy preoccupied with their holiday celebrations and completely off guard at the Battle of Trenton in New Jersey Washington and his army scored a major victory about a week later Washington gained still another success at Princeton New Jersey foreign but there were frustrations even in Victory if the militia had arrived we could have cleared the jerseys of the enemy instead all was done with inferior numbers and a mixed and Motley Crew I do not think any officer since the creation ever had such a variety of difficulties and perplexities to encounter as I have after Trenton and Princeton the Continental Army went to Winter Quarters at Morristown in January 1777. Washington eventually set up his headquarters here at Arnold's Tavern and used the Winter's low to enlarge his army and to improve training and discipline on September 11 1777 in a battle at Brandywine Creek near Philadelphia the Americans were obliged to retreat and the British forces marched into the city the enemy dealt the Americans another stunning defeat at Germantown Pennsylvania a few weeks later Washington wrote if it had not been for a thick fog which rendered it so dark at times that we were not able to distinguish friend from Full should I believe have made a glorious day of it despite the setbacks and the retreat Congress recognized Washington's greatness a resolution was adopted praising his overall strategy and expressing full confidence in his leadership yet Congress was unable to provide the supplies his troops so desperately needed as his men settled into winter Quarters at Valley Forge both strength and morale were fading this was an exceptionally Grim period and food and warm clothing were virtually non-existent illness reduced Washington's Army still further the men managed to put together small log Huts for shelter Washington aware that their suffering had pushed them almost to the breaking point made regular visits to their makeshift quarters his confidence and fortitude inspired great loyalty among the troops [Music] critical time Baron von Steuben arrived from Germany his military experience proved invaluable to Washington and together the two leaders undertook to mold their band of farmers into a powerful and Resolute fighting force foreign driven nearly to desperation by the suffering of the army during this Dreadful winter at Valley Forge never wavered in his Abiding Faith that Divine Providence would protect his men and his country [Music] in the spring of 1778 the quartermaster General's office was reorganized and food and clothing were dispatched at last to the Tattered Army as the supply wagons approached the Camp Washington and his officers began to see the possibility of a more hopeful future revitalized Americans met the British head-on at Monmouth New Jersey Washington rebuked General Charles Lee for retweeting when victory was in sight he personally took command of the forces rallied them and rolled the enemy from the sea [Music] Monmouth was fought on a scorchingly hot day in June 1778. according to Legend the wife of an American artilleryman carried pictures of water from a nearby spring to the exhausted soldiers when her husband was overcome by the Heat this Brave woman later called Molly Pitcher took his place on the battlefield the revolution reached its climax on October 19 1781 as Washington prepared to accept the British surrender at Yorktown Virginia the British commander Lord Cornwallis sent word by his second in command that he was indisposed and could not be present Washington in turn directed his second in command General Benjamin Lincoln to accept the surrender [Music] Washington maintained his military headquarters at Newburgh New York during the nearly two years that passed before the final peace agreement was drawn up and signed in Paris at the end of the war Washington's stature in the public mind was greater than that of any other American before or since [Music] there was a growing conviction especially in the army that he should be declared King he put a stop to the notion at once the Army he wrote must serve the country but not rule it express your utmost horror and detestation of the man who wishes to overturn the Liberties of our country after the British finally evacuated New York City Washington made his triumphant entry on November 25 1783. in the hearts of the cheering Spectators this event marked the climax of the nine-year struggle for American independence Washington and his generals had brought the war to a successful conclusion in dozens of battles Washington had personally commanded in nine and had won only three of those Trenton Princeton and Yorktown yet he was universally revered in the Army and throughout the entire nation in this portrait Washington wears on his coat the medal of the Society of the Cincinnati a patriotic organization of officers of the revolution the name comes from the Roman leader Cincinnatus who like Washington himself left his plow to fight for freedom and then returned to a peaceful life on the farm he loved in early December 1783 in one of the most emotional moments of Washington's life he said farewell to his fellow officers at Francis Tavern in New York City with a heart full of love and gratitude he said I now take my leave of you I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable the governor a body of officers in a large Concourse of people escorted Washington to his barge in the Hudson at raised his hat in a modest farewell a salute of 13 Cannon boomed out from a nearby Fort [Music] foreign [Music] hook now Jersey City New Jersey he continued on to Annapolis Maryland where he formally resigned his commission before Congress having now finished the work assigned me he said I retired from the great theater of action and bidding an affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted I hereby offer my commission and take my leave of all the Employments of public life Washington returned to Mount Vernon happily reunited with Martha in their beloved home overlooking the Potomac he resumed active supervision of the varied business activities of the plantation meanwhile the separate states were squabbling about a new form of federal government delegates convened in Philadelphia in May of 1787 to draw up a constitution Washington quite naturally came as a representative of Virginia and was elected president of the convention the new Constitution was signed on September 17 1787. Washington discreetly used his influence to secure its approval by his fellow Virginians nearly a year passed before all the states had ratified the historic document [Music] Washington's support was probably a decisive factor in the acceptance of the Constitution however he returned home with feelings of concern he was fully aware that the delegates had him in mind when they specified the duties and obligations of the president no one else could bring so much strength and distinction to the new office and no one else could so Faithfully protect Liberty and democracy which Americans had fought so hard to gain while the electors gathered to cast their votes Washington continued to work busily at Mount Vernon as he made his daily rounds he tried to prepare for still another absence from home once again to answer the call of his country [Music] when it became clear that he would be elected to the presidency he hurried to say goodbye to his mother in nearby Fredericksburg she had been ill for many months and died later that summer at the age of 80. [Music] Washington's warm and enthusiastic reception at Trenton New Jersey was typical of his experiences in villages and towns all along the route from Mount Vernon to his inauguration in New York City the entire country it seemed had turned out to greet him [Music] the swearing-in ceremony was held on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City Washington repeated the oath as it was administered then he added the four simple solemn words that have been spoken by every president at every inauguration since that time so help me God as the first chief executive of a new country Washington faced an unprecedented task in his diary he had modestly questioned his own abilities he had left Mount Vernon he wrote with the best disposition to render service to my country in obedience to its call but with less hope of answering its expectations [Music] soon besides the duties of office the president and first lady were involved in a busy schedule of official parties and receptions Martha as Hostess enjoyed the opportunity of entertaining members of government and New York Society [Music] Washington saw the need for a sound monetary system Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury and his former aide established the Federal mint at Philadelphia according to Legend the first coins were struck from household silver furnished by the president and were called Washington half dimes they were used as gifts to friends and were never regularly circulated laughs after serving two terms as president Washington returned to Mount Vernon he and Martha entertained a steady stream of guests friends neighbors dignitaries and many of the officers who had fought beside the general in the war one of the great Treasures of the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC is a portrait of the Washington family painted by Edward Savage in 1796. George and Martha are seen with her grandchildren whom they raised as their own the General's last birthday February 22nd 1799 was a joyful occasion he gave away his step-granddaughter Nelly custis to Lawrence Lewis an aide and a favorite nephew Washington's wedding gift was a fine piece of land where the young couple later built their home called Woodlawn with inside of Mount Vernon during his final year as the Young Nation was about to turn the page on a new century Washington continued his daily inspection tours of Mount Vernon his love of the land had grown still stronger as the years advanced agriculture he had written is the most healthy the most useful and the most noble employment of man on a snowy December morning while making his rungs Washington contracted Quincy an illness similar to strep throat doctors prescribe bleeding the usual practice of the time [Music] still weaker and died on December 14 1799 in his bed at Mount Vernon he was 67 years old at his own request he was buried at Mount Vernon he was beloved by his fellow Americans as no other man in history has ever been who called for the eventual transfer of his and Martha's remains to a new Tomb this was done they now rest together on the side of the Hill not far from the Mansion a peaceful sight above the Potomac at a memorial service in Philadelphia one of his comrades from the revolution delivered the eulogy his moving words still remind us that Washington was first in war first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen it's been nearly 200 years since Washington's death yet Americans still seem to place this man in a category by himself on a pedestal that's just a few feet higher than anyone else's almost a million people come to Mount Vernon each year to pay tribute to George Washington to see the house he lived in and to spend a few silent moments here at his final resting place Washington's reputation seems to have survived the passage of time and perhaps no single chief of state in the history of the entire world has been more honored there are 218 towns and cities named after Washington and it's estimated that there are more than seven thousand streets and avenues that bear his name just 16 miles away is the nation's capital where each new president tries to live up to the high expectations established by our first president historians say that one of the reasons the Constitutional Convention with all its fears of an American monarchy created the position of president was because they knew George Washington would be the first president and that his conduct in office would shape the expectations for future presidents but it's not just future presidents who can learn from George Washington's example we can all try to follow in his footsteps as great as they might be always remembering that our nation was founded by individuals who risk everything their homes their families their lives for the freedom and liberty we sometimes take for granted today [Music] thank you George Washington for being there when we needed you from where I'm standing there's no question about it you're still first in the hearts of your countrymen [Music] thanks for watching if you'd like to help us produce more compelling historical content like this please like comment below and share this video with fellow history Buffs and of course be sure to subscribe to help keep history happening foreign

Channel: LionHeart FilmWorks

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Keywords: Barry bostwick, patty duke, commander in chief, living history, mr president, presidents, profile in courage, recreations, the white house, washington, general washington, american revolution, comander in chief, first president, george washington, george washington documentary, history channel, history shows, mount vernon washington, revolutionary war, the life of george washington, virginia, war for independence, yorktown, Jaclyn Smith, williamsburg, mount vernon, mini series

Id: Ndo05HBFsKU

Length: 30min 43sec (1843 seconds)

Published: Wed Feb 22 2023