George Washington was the first president of the United States and played a central role in the American Revolutionary War and the creation of the new government. 

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Reading: George Washington, the First U.S. President

George Washington was the first president of the United States and is often called the “Father of His Country” because of his leadership during the American Revolution and the early years of the nation. He was born in Virginia in 1732 and worked first as a surveyor before becoming a military officer in the British colonial army. During the American Revolutionary War, he became the commander in chief of the Continental Army and led the American forces to victory against Great Britain.​

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After the war, Washington played an important role in creating the new U.S. government. He served as the presiding officer at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where delegates wrote the United States Constitution. Because he was widely respected and trusted, he was unanimously elected as the first president and served two terms, from 1789 to 1797.​

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As president, Washington helped define how the new office should work. He created a cabinet of advisors, including leaders in finance, foreign affairs, and war, and he tried to stay above political parties, even though parties were beginning to form around different ideas for the country. Washington also set a tradition by deciding not to run for a third term, showing that presidents should not keep power for too long.​

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Washington faced many challenges during his presidency. The young nation had debts from the war, conflicts with Native American nations in the West, and tense relations with Britain and France. Washington supported a strong national government, approved a financial plan to organize the country’s debts, and tried to keep the United States neutral in foreign wars so the new nation could grow stronger before taking sides.​

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Today, George Washington is remembered as a symbol of leadership, independence, and civic virtue. His face appears on the one-dollar bill and the quarter, and the capital city of the United States, Washington, D.C., is named in his honor. Many Americans still study his Farewell Address, in which he warned against excessive political division and permanent alliances with foreign nations.​

 

Part A – Pre-Reading Questions

Answer these questions in complete sentences.

1. What do you already know about George Washington?

2. Why might the first leader of a new country be especially important?

3. What kind of challenges do you think a new government might face?

 

Part B – Vocabulary Matching

Match the words (1–8) with the correct definitions (A–H).

1. Revolution

2. Commander in chief

3. Constitution

4. Cabinet

5. Neutral

6. Tradition

7. Debt

8. Independence

A. A war or movement to change a government or political system
B. Freedom from control by another country or authority
C. Money that a person or country owes to others
D. The written basic laws and principles of a country
E. A custom or way of doing something that is followed for many years
F. Not supporting any side in a conflict or war
G. The highest leader of a country’s military forces
H. A group of top advisors who help a leader make decisions

 

Part C – Reading Comprehension

Directions

Read the text again. Then answer the questions in complete sentences.

1. In what year was George Washington born, and in which colony (state) did he grow up?

2. What important role did Washington have during the American Revolutionary War?

3. What position did Washington hold at the Constitutional Convention in 1787?

4. During which years did Washington serve as president of the United States?

5. What are two ways Washington helped shape the new office of president?

6. Why did Washington choose not to run for a third term, and what tradition did this start?

7. What kinds of problems did the United States face during Washington’s presidency?

8. Why is Washington still remembered and honored in the United States today?

 

Part D – True or False

Directions

Write T for true or F for false. Correct the false sentences.

1. ___ George Washington was the third president of the United States.

2. ___ Washington served as commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

3. ___ Washington was unanimously elected as the first president.

4. ___ Washington strongly supported joining European wars soon after the Revolution.

5. ___ Washington decided not to run for a third term as president.

 

Part E – Short Answer: Washington’s Leadership and Legacy

Directions

Answer the questions in 2–3 sentences.

1. How did George Washington show leadership during the creation of the United States government?

2. Why do you think Washington’s decision to leave office after two terms is considered important?

 

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Answer Key

 

Part B – Vocabulary Matching

1. Revolution → A. A war or movement to change a government or political system.

2. Commander in chief → G. The highest leader of a country’s military forces.

3. Constitution → D. The written basic laws and principles of a country.

4. Cabinet → H. A group of top advisors who help a leader make decisions.

5. Neutral → F. Not supporting any side in a conflict or war.

6. Tradition → E. A custom or way of doing something that is followed for many years.

7. Debt → C. Money that a person or country owes to others.

8. Independence → B. Freedom from control by another country or authority.

 

Part C – Reading Comprehension

1. He was born in 1732 in the colony of Virginia.

2. He served as the commander in chief of the Continental Army.

3. He was the presiding officer (leader) of the Constitutional Convention.

4. He served as president from 1789 to 1797.

5. He created a cabinet of advisors and helped define the powers and limits of the presidency; he also tried to stay above political parties.

6. He believed no one should hold power for too long and chose to retire after two terms, starting the tradition of presidents serving only two terms.

7. The United States had heavy war debts, conflicts on the western frontier, and difficult relations with Britain and France.

8. He is remembered for leading the country to independence, guiding the creation of the new government, and setting important examples for future presidents.

 

Part D – True or False

1. F – George Washington was the first president of the United States, not the third.

2. T – He served as commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

3. T – He was unanimously elected as the first president.

4. F – Washington tried to keep the United States neutral in European wars, not to join them quickly.

5. T – He chose not to run for a third term, helping to establish a two-term tradition.

 

Part E – Short Answer (Sample Answers)

1. Washington showed leadership by guiding the Constitutional Convention, accepting the new Constitution, and defining the powers and responsibilities of the presidency in its earliest years.

2. His decision to leave office after two terms is important because it limited the power of one person, encouraged peaceful transfers of power, and became a model for later presidents.