George Washington Reviews | RateItAll

George Washington

American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797 Website

Approval Rate: 85%

85%Approval ratio

Reviews 25

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  • by

    numbah16tdhaha

    Sun Apr 17 2011

    The big one in the win column I can identify for George is that he declined greater power. People were ready to make a king or a dictator out of him and he quietly stepped aside after two terms.

  • by

    myhistory

    Mon Oct 04 2010

    Washington resisted the temptation to add powers to his office and established a model for subsequent leaders of democratic republics to follow.

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    canadasucks

    Mon May 19 2008

    Washington is far from the greatest mind on this list. Others impacted world history, science, medicine, or theology more- but Washington is a difficult figure in history to truly know and comprehend. He was painfully aware that didn't posses a mind of Adams or Jefferson. He was meticulous in his personal affairs- (Washington, unlike other famous Virginia planters, didn't owe money to British creditors) He didn't attend University to absorb all the secular Age of Reason and Enlightenment philosophy that laid the groundwork for the revolution. And he didn't leave piles of letters for posterity and legend-building unlike other Founding Fathers (who knew that their writings would be analyzed.) But unlike a Caesar or a tyrant, he simply left power and allowed for an election. (Yes, age had much to do with it but find me anyone who left such power voluntarily) Washington might be the most underrated interview on this list if you really think about it.

  • by

    automatt

    Wed May 14 2008

    An important military leader -- without him, arguably no American Revolution.

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    callitdownthel_ine75

    Wed May 14 2008

    Along with Abraham Lincoln, perhaps no one else in the history of the United States can be considered as such as George Washington. Without his magnificent leadership (as a general and as Commander in Chief) during critical times in the early years of this nation, we would likely cease to be the United States of America. Within the annals of recorded history? Definitely! Automatt says it most brilliantly: "--without [Washington], arguably no American Revolution."

  • by

    ladyjesusfan77_7

    Mon Jan 07 2008

    I'll give him 5 stars for being the first President of the good old U.S. of A.

  • by

    ali12121

    Mon Jan 07 2008

    wamnkef

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    genghisthehun

    Thu Apr 12 2007

    I can sum it all up in one sentence. No George Washington, no United States of America. His accomplishments were military and civil. He won the war and he laid down the bedrock of the national government. Many of the doctrines he established, we still follow today.

  • by

    irishgit

    Thu Apr 12 2007

    A key figure, arguably THE key figure in the Revolution and the nascent years of the republic. Not sure that translates to top level greatness in WORLD history however.

  • by

    klopper

    Mon Apr 17 2006

    yeah... i always wondered how most americans don't see much further their own national history

  • by

    jamestkirk

    Sat Jan 07 2006

    Belongs among the top in world history because he fought, guided, and helped gain the independence of one of the greatest civilizations world history has seen.

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    sfalconer

    Wed Nov 23 2005

    First President of the greatest nation the world has ever seen.

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    michigantutor

    Tue Nov 22 2005

    Jefferson is more original than Washington. Time magazine also selected Jefferson as the man of the 18th century, and not Washington. Roman empire lasted longer (1000 years) and most influential during that time. To rank Washington very high I would have to wait another 1000 years and see his real influence.

  • by

    scarletfeather

    Tue Nov 01 2005

    Sure wish he could have found some dentures that fit better, then we could have seen him smile, smile, smile!

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    mynthon

    Mon Jul 18 2005

    Aww come on everybody! He ain't that influential in the history of the world...

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    cindyo

    Mon Jul 11 2005

    As the very first president of the United States, he was also called the father of our country. He was a man of high moral character and many men trusted him as being the leader of the newly established country. He gave endless dedications into the founding of this great country. He is on Mt. Rushmore, as well as a monument dedicated to him in the capital of this country, and is on the currency we use. He will be a man that will never be forgotten.

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    spartacus007

    Mon Jun 27 2005

    Throughout the history of revolution, it was only Washington that fought it truly for the people and not the glory. Unlike Napoleon, Ceasar, Lenin, Castro and Cromwell, Washington declined and fought against deification and idolization. And like no one else in history, he voluntarily stepped down from power. Washington didn't just define America's presidency- he was also responsible for the creation of the nation- without his leadership in the continental army, the US would not exist, and by extension, no example for the French Revolution, the revolutions in Central and South America, in Europe, Asia and Africa.

  • by

    redoedo

    Fri Jun 17 2005

    Both in the context of American and world history, Washington's importance cannot be questioned. He was particularly instrumental in achieving American victory during the Revolutionary War, insomuch as he was a strong leader who sustained the vitality of the cause and saw us through. As our first President, he established an important precedent that distinguished the American Presidency from the traditional monarchial governments by declining to run for a third term. Without him, it is questionable that the nation would've survived those early years.

  • by

    thedude25

    Fri Jun 17 2005

    great man!

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    pabobe99

    Thu Jun 16 2005

    His involvement in the beginning of one of the greatest powers in the history of the world qualifies him as one of the top historical figures.

  • by

    randyman

    Tue May 10 2005

    Overall he seems to be underated by history, considering he was our first President and actually fought and contributed to the building of our great nation.

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    cutegurl

    Mon Apr 25 2005

    George Washington influenced every man he came in touch with. To demonstrate this point I shall tell you a brief story. It was near the end of the war and Congress could not pay the militia men. They were about to go home when Washington called a meeting to try and convince them to stay. He gave a rousing speech about loyalty and patriotism, but it wasn't working. At the end, he took out a pair of glasses and placed on the bridge of his nose. Many of the men were surprised, they did not know Washington wore glasses. Forgive me, Washington said. I fear that while in your service your old commander has gone blind. With this humble motion, Washington convinced his men to stay without pay. This, ladies and gentlemen, is influence. He was able to influence me to do the right thing without force, or money, or bribery. He inspired, encouraged, and taught and in doing so influenced his men to fight one more day. Washington, somehow unbeknowest to me, kept a country together for the first eight... Read more

  • by

    alpepper

    Fri Nov 12 2004

    MVP of the 18th Century.

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    jaywilton

    Thu Nov 11 2004

    With the good news that Yasser Arafat(Hitler) is dead,Washington,regardless of whatever his personal weaknesses may have been, is an even greater,more moral revolutionary-timing is everything.

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    jed1000

    Thu Oct 16 2003

    One of the most important politicians not only in this country but the world. His influence can still be felt every time there is an election and a peaceful transfer of government. He set the precedent of leaders serving the governed.