Little did our founders know the immense and lasting impact that George Washington’s approach to power would have, not only on America but on the future of democracy across the globe

• George Washington, despite initial doubts about his abilities, successfully led the American army to victory against the British.
• Washington’s strategic avoidance of direct confrontation with the British and his perseverance were key to the American triumph.
• After the war, Washington made the extraordinary decision to relinquish his military command, setting a precedent for civilian rule.
• Washington’s resignation solidified his reputation as a selfless leader and influenced the development of democracy in America and beyond.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, the Second Continental Congress appointed George Washington to be commander in chief of the newly formed American army. Never before had a war been fought for the principles of liberty and self-government. But here they were, a diverse band of soldiers with many accents and many backgrounds, from cities, towns, and villages up and down the East Coast, fighting for the ideal of independence and the glorious goal of government by consent of the governed.

Perhaps anticipating the appointment, Washington arrived at the first session of Congress in military uniform. Thanks to the British, he had more military experience than most Americans; he had scouted the west, urged the French to leave the country, and fought valiantly on behalf of the British during the French and Indian War.   

By any reasonable account, winning the American fight for independence was virtually impossible. The Americans had no standing army, military academy, or formal military training. Its soldiers consisted of volunteers, formed into local militias of varying size, capability, and commitment. It’s no wonder that Washington expressed his fear of failure in accepting the command, telling the Congress, “I feel great distress from a consciousness that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and important trust.”

Washington overcame odds to defeat British Army

And yet, over the next eight and a half years, Washington made the impossible possible. With nearly superhuman patience, he took command of a ragtag band of soldiers and turned them into a disciplined army. At the outset, there were few willing soldiers and even less food, guns, and equipment. The horrible winter of Valley Forge was only one episode of many in which American soldiers and their commander endured grueling and dangerous circumstances with little promise of remuneration.

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Washington wisely adopted a strategy of avoiding the British head-on, moving his troops quickly and then striking by surprise. Faced with the vast expanses of the American continent, the expense of an overseas endeavor, and the relentless determination of General Washington and the American people, the British could not keep up. And their enemy abroad — the French — were only too pleased to intervene on behalf of the colonists to tighten the screws.

Legend has it that in Yorktown, as the British surrendered, their musicians played “The World Turned Upside Down.” For many, the world did seem upside down. American forces — led by General George Washington — had faced down the greatest army on earth. The “lobsterbacks” relinquished their arms, returned home, and left Washington and the victorious colonies with the momentous challenge of starting a new and independent nation.

It was to be many months before a peace treaty was signed. British troops still threatened New York City, and the Continental Army remained on duty, waiting for pay. The soldiers sought a lump cash payment to be distributed when they left the Army. But with no response from Congress, the troops grew restive and threatened to march on Congress.

Washington’s most extraordinary move was to relinquish power

In a now-famous and emotional appeal, Washington met with the soldiers in Newburgh, New York, and asked for their understanding. Reaching for his glasses, he said, “Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray, but almost blind in the service of my country.” The march on Congress was not to be.

Having accomplished the impossible, Washington then did the extraordinary. He gave up his military command.

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As he returned to his beloved Mount Vernon in Virginia, Washington stopped in Annapolis, Maryland, to meet again with the Continental Congress. Standing before the assembled body, he resigned his commission.

“Having now finished the work assigned me,” Washington said, “I retire from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission and take my leave of all the employments of public life.” This one act was so remarkable that King George III in England is reported to have exclaimed, “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.” 

Little did our founders know the immense and lasting impact that George Washington’s approach to power would have, not only on America but on the future of democracy across the globe. First, the indispensable commander of a revolution. Then, America’s Cincinnatus — the Roman statesman who famously gave up power and returned to his farm after saving the republic.

Washington’s unprecedented return of power set the new country on a unique path, one that rejected monarchs and dictators in favor of civilian rule and government by the people. Two hundred and fifty years later, all Americans — and untold millions around the world — remain the beneficiaries.

Anne Neal Petri, of Fond du Lac, is the regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. The association has owned and managed George Washington’s Mount Vernon since 1858 and takes no government support.