Discussion Guide

His Excellency: George Washington

by Joseph Ellis

 

Cross cutting themes:

 

• Washington’s  view of westward expansion (later called manifest destiny)
• The socio-economic factors of the Virginia plantation class
• The desire to centralize the government. Washington’s most influential days are spent as the head of an under resourced military force. He sees this repeat itself frequently from leading a militia, the Continental Army, and then trying to get pensions for the troops. Washington can make a strong argument for Federalism.

 

Early life:

 

• The French & Indian War was a critical event in shaping Washington’s view of westward expansion, his economic interests, his military experience and his view on British relations.  (pg. 7

• Braddock’s defeat influenced Washington’s esteem, military outlook and tactical beliefs
• Col of Virginia regiment showed a pragmatic view of conventional and unconventional tactics
• Began his life trend of – “survive and you shall succeed”

• Washington was a shrewd networker his entire life.  His early attempts are both bumbling (seeking Br. patronage) and effective (marriage to M. Custis and relationship with Dinwiddie)
• Washington’s “captivity” to Br. commercial and political system made him wealthy and subservient (Cary & Co, land grants, commodities, etc.)
• The Proclamation of 1763 was one of the many milestones leading to the American Revolution, but this perhaps, had more of an influence on Washington

 

The Revolution:

 

• Pg. 74 Washington’s personal qualities that led to success: composed, indefatigable, and able to learn from his mistakes; pg. 82 (on Greene’s victory at Ticonderoga) knack for discovering talent where he could find it, valued personal loyalty
• Pg. 87 Washington’s response to the small pox epidemic saved the army and demonstrates the many small, but important decisions that executives must make (also how he interacted with Congress to outfit the army, his decision on a strategy (The Fabian Choice))
• Discuss the “domino theory” of the Br. Empire…American parallels??? (pg. 89). Pg. 102 exposes the Br. penchant for indirect strategy (failed to concentrate forces for decisive blow/southern strategy 1778-79) helped seal fate of war at Saratoga (pg 105) and Yorktown
• Washington had a flair for the bold and used strategically insignificant victories to hold up the army and people (Trenton-Princeton) but also made his attack plans far too complex, likely shows his operational experience with large units
• The shocking lack of support for the Continental Army infused Washington, despite his southern plantation roots, with a strong sense of Federal power vis a vis the states.
• **Pg 139 founders and Washington were steeped in Roman and British history.  Washington was keenly aware of that these two republics fell to military commanders who crossed the Rubicon (Caesar) and failed to relinquish command/rule (Cromwell) – he avoided the Newburgh Conspiracy (pg. 141) and the pitfalls of the Society of Cincinnati

 

The Presidency:

 

• Triggers for Washington to come back into public life – Shay’s Rebellion and Constitutional Convention (pg. 172).  This is also a good framework to look at the dichotomy between the Republican and Federalist versions of the “spirit of 76” and what that would mean to governance.  Pg. 216 the seeds the of the two party system (which the author believes is a good thing)
• Pg. 175 – one reason why Washington was such a good executive is because he recognized the need to surround himself with competent advisors and delegate.  “Washington was accustomed to leading by listening.”  The cabinet system was devised by Washington pgs. 197/198 and excellent for executive leadership – listen, recruit an awesome team of smart, ambitious young men, turn them lose on the details, have the judgment to know when to get involved
  • But this nearly went horribly wrong. Hamilton was active in trying to get more funding to the federal government at any cost.
• Slavery is mentioned many times in the book, Washington wanted to end it but realized that 1) the economic and politics of emancipation made it nearly impossible and 2) it would destroy the nation
• Pg. 205 shows the sectionalism as an economic issue, Hamilton’s bank/northern creditors v. southern plantation system
• Setting another precedent Washington, a classic realist (pg. 236), was hands-on in foreign policy and Indian affairs.  Some people assert Washington was an isolationist, but his desire not to get entangled in European affairs was more of a function of consolidating control of the continent east of the Mississippi.  Also, found the Senate incapable of dealing with foreign policy so marginalized them.
  • The Jay Treaty was the biggest crises of Washington’s Presidency, foreshows Adams’ crises with the French Quasi-War, more fighting between Federalists and Republicans (one side saw a desire to harness the spirit of 76 to build a nation, the other to spread an ideology)

 

Legacy:

 

• Washington came close to major blunders in retirement 1) giving some support to Hamilton and his Napoleonic scheme
• The key blunder here was not that he sided with Hamilton, but more that he got involved in the mud-slinging.
• Great quote on pg. 266 about the future capitol
• His will was a testament to his core beliefs: freed his slaves and equally split inheritance to prevent a dominant heir from emerging.