喬治·華盛頓是美國(guó)的第一屆總統(tǒng),并被一致認(rèn)為是美國(guó)的五大領(lǐng)袖之一。他于1732年出生于弗吉尼亞州。他家境富裕,家里有一個(gè)種植園。隨著年齡的增長(zhǎng),他學(xué)會(huì)了成為一個(gè)18世紀(jì)弗吉尼亞紳士所要求的道德、禮儀以及學(xué)識(shí)。成長(zhǎng)過(guò)程中,他對(duì)兩件事特別感興趣:軍事藝術(shù)和西方殖民擴(kuò)張。
In 1754, at the age of 22, he became a lieutenant colonel in the Army. He fought in the first skirmishes of what grew into the French and Indian War. The following year he escaped injury in battle although four bullets ripped his coat and two horses were shot from under him. His military experience taught him valuable lessons in leadership he would use later in his political life.
1754年,22歲的華盛頓在部隊(duì)成為了一名美國(guó)陸軍中校。他參加了法國(guó)和印度之戰(zhàn)的第一次小規(guī)模戰(zhàn)斗。第二年,盡管4顆子彈穿過(guò)他的上衣、2匹坐下的戰(zhàn)馬被子彈打中,而他卻沒(méi)受傷。從軍經(jīng)歷給了他寶貴的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)經(jīng)驗(yàn),這些在他在日后的政治生涯中派上了用場(chǎng)。
From 1759 to the outbreak of the American Revolution, Washington managed his lands. He married Martha Dandridge Custis and devoted himself to farming life. However, he felt exploited by British merchants and British regulations. In 1775, he took command of his ill-trained troops and embarked upon a war that was to last six grueling years. He forced the surrender of the British at Yorktown in 1781.
從1759年到美國(guó)獨(dú)立戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)爆發(fā),華盛頓一直在經(jīng)營(yíng)自己的農(nóng)場(chǎng)。他與瑪莎·丹德里奇·柯蒂斯結(jié)婚,并全身心投入到農(nóng)耕生活中。然而,他感覺(jué)受到了英國(guó)商人及英國(guó)管制的剝削。1775年,他帶領(lǐng)著一支訓(xùn)練不良的隊(duì)伍開(kāi)始了一場(chǎng)長(zhǎng)達(dá)6年的艱苦戰(zhàn)斗。1781年,他迫使英國(guó)人在約克鎮(zhèn)投降。
Washington entered politics and became a prime mover in the steps leading to creating the Constitution in 1787. After the new Constitution was ratified, the Electoral College unanimously elected him as the USA's first President. Washington avoided further wars and promoted the importance of federal power. He died in 1799 and was hailed as "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen".
1787年,華盛頓進(jìn)入政壇,并成為創(chuàng)建美國(guó)憲法的主要發(fā)起人。新憲法獲批后,總統(tǒng)選舉團(tuán)一致推選華盛頓為美國(guó)的第一任總統(tǒng)。此后,華盛頓在避免進(jìn)一步戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)的同時(shí),也加強(qiáng)了聯(lián)邦政府的權(quán)力。華盛頓于1799年,逝世,他被譽(yù)為“戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)第一人、和平第一人、國(guó)民心中的第一人。”