George Washington

Reading Comprehension/History

Name __________________________________ Date ____________________

George Washington

The first president of the United States, George Washington, was
born in Pope’s Creek, Virginia, on February 22, 1732. As a child, he
did not have much formal training, but when he was sixteen years
old he learned how to survey land, which is a way of taking
measurements and making maps. Later, he became the county
surveyor.
George Washington was a major in the Virginia militia in the
early 1750s. He made a historic 300-mile journey to report to the
colonial officials concerning the French presence in the Allegheny
River Valley. In 1754, he fought against three hundred French
soldiers at Fort Duquesne. By this time he had been promoted to
colonel. A year later, during a fierce battle, two horses were shot from underneath him, but he
survived unhurt. This same year, he was given the job of commanding all of the troops of
Virginia.
He was married in January 6, 1759 to Martha Dandridge Custis. Though he and Martha
never had any children of their own, he did become a father to Jacky and Patsy, her children
from a former marriage. Patsy later died of epilepsy, to Washington’s grief.
As a result of the French and Indian War, England was given all of the land east of the
Mississippi. Now the British government wanted to tax the colonies. Men such as Patrick Henry
and George Mason, along with Washington, agreed that it was unfair for Britain to place a tax
on the colonies when the colonies were not allowed power to make decisions with the British
government. In 1775, a group of men from the colonies fired the first shots of the American
Revolution while returning fire at British troops.
Later in the same year, the Second Continental Congress met and chose George
Washington to be commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Washington accepted the
position but refused payment for his services. He requested only reimbursement for expenses.
Over the next seven years Washington faithfully led his untrained but willing army in
several battles against the British troops. At first, the British had the upper hand with their fine
weapons and training, but the perseverance and conviction of the Continental soldiers finally
began to pay off. In 1778, the Continental army was aided by the French navy and the tide
began to turn. On October 19, 1781, General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to Washington
and the Continental Army, ending the war. The treaty was signed two years later in 1783.
Washington returned to civilian life but was quickly drawn back into politics. As the
delegate from Virginia, he became involved in writing the Constitution for the new country. After
the Constitution had been ratified, Washington was unanimously elected to be the president.
The capitol of the new nation temporarily moved from New York to Philadelphia.
Washington was the one to select a site along the Potomac River for a new capitol to be built. A
French engineer, Pierre L’Enfant, was hired to design the city.
In 1792, Washington was elected to a second term. During his second term he dealt with
the Whisky Rebellion. This was a revolt in Pennsylvania concerning taxes on exporting alcohol.
He also was successful in implementing a treaty concerning relations between the U.S. and
Britain.
Although many wanted Washington to be president for a third term, he declined. He
moved back to his beloved Mt. Vernon. After only three years of retirement, he died at the age
of 67 on December 14, 1799. He was buried there in the family vault.
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Reading Comprehension/History

Name __________________________________ Date ____________________

George Washington: Sequencing Activity

Number the events from George Washington’s life in correct order.

1. He was elected first U.S. president.

2. He married Martha Dandridge Custis.

3. He was chosen to be commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.

4. He was born in Virginia.

5. During a battle, two horses he rode on were shot dead.

6. He learned to survey land.

7. He became a major in the militia.

8. He retired at Mt. Vernon.

9. He chose a site along the Potomac River for the capitol.

10. The Revolutionary War began.
George Washington: Critical Thinking Question

1. How do you think that George Washington’s early life was different from your life?

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Reading Comprehension/History

Name __________________________________ Date ____________________

George Washington: Critical Thinking Questions

2. If you had been George Washington, what might you have told your friends about
your experience of having two horses shot from under you in battle?

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3. How do you think Martha Washington felt about the Congress wanting George
Washington to serve a third term as president?

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4. If you could ask George Washington one question about his life, what would it be?

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Reading Comprehension/History

Name __________________________________ Date ____________________

George Washington: Answers
Sequencing

1. 8
2. 5
3. 6
4. 1
5. 4
6. 2
7. 3
8. 10
9. 9
10. 7

Critical Thinking

These questions could be starting points for individual student research, discussion
questions, or questions answered by each student individually on paper.
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