George Washington Study Guide: On the World Stage in the French and Indian War

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Finally, in 1758, the British sent another force against the French. It was led by General John Forbes; Washington commanded two regiments under Forbes as a brigadier general. This time the British succeeded in dislodging the French from Fort Duquesne, which effectively secured the Ohio Valley. The frontier was now relatively safe, so Washington resigned his command to return to private life.

Analysis

Washington's role in the conflict with the French reveals several aspects of the man. In attacking the French at Great Meadows, Washington showed his inexperience. He was rash in attacking and had no hope of defending himself at Fort Necessity. Though very brave, Washington was neither politically nor militarily savvy. Mostly, he was just ambitious.

His confession at Fort Necessity, though a sham, was a disaster for Washington and the British. The French used it as proof of British aggression; in Paris he was denounced as a killer, while in London he was mocked as a bumbling hick. Though he proved himself a hero at Braddock's Defeat, he survived only by luck, as bullets twice killed his horses and on one occasion knocked off his hat. As an assistant to General Forbes, Washington displayed further bravery but did not understand Forbes' careful strategy. This was largely because Washington did not understand the larger struggle between Britain and France. He was concerned only with Virginia.

The contrast between Washington's reputation in Britain and America reflected a growing rift between the mother country and her colonies. While the British denounced Washington as incompetent, in Virginia he was hailed a hero. This further encouraged Washington to see himself as American rather than British. A similar process was happening among many other people living in the colonies.

Washington's break with Britain was encouraged by his failure to get a commission in the British Army. As a man of property and experience, Washington felt he deserved an officer's commission in the army. The British, however, were unwilling to grant this privilege to colonials. In fact, it was British policy that any officer in the British Army outranked any member of the colonial militias. Thus Washington, though the hero of Braddock's Defeat and an expert on the frontier, had to take orders from ignorant lieutenants. Washington lobbied continually to have this policy changed, both because it unfairly discriminated against Americans and because it frustrated his own military career. The British wouldn't budge, however. Washington grew increasingly bitter and disillusioned with Britain as a result.

Washington's mistakes and narrow perspective reveal a man who was ambitious, arrogant, impetuous and at times ignorant. Yet Washington was able and willing to learn from his mistakes. He studied the frontier, immersed himself in the techniques necessary for fighting and winning battles in the wilderness, and took careful note of the tactics and discipline used by the British Army. Though his mistakes contributed to starting a war between France and Britain, it also gave him the experience necessary to command the American troops in the Revolutionary War.

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