Founding Father: George Washington Pt 1 - His journey to the presidency (Famous American Series)

In this exciting finale of our "Famous Americans" series, join Cece, Amy, and their special guests Remy and Charleston as they dive into the life of George Washington – the first President of the United States! 

Learn about his early years in Virginia, his surprising beginnings in military service, and the challenges he faced during the Revolutionary War. You will uncover fascinating facts about Mount Vernon, George Washington's love of farming, and his legacy of leadership and unity. 

Plus, stick around for a sneak peek of our upcoming series celebrating women who changed the world and our mini-episodes leading up to Presidents Day! Don’t miss this thrilling exploration of one of America’s most iconic figures!

Make sure to subscribe, like and share so you can be the first to hear new episodes!  

Transcript

Cece: Welcome to “Check this out!” A podcast series for kids

Amy: (and their grownups) where we explore interesting people, places, and ponderings that shape the world around us.   

On this episode we have a couple of special guests.  2 of Cece’s friends are here to help us talk about George Washington- let us say hello.  My name is Amy Contreras and I’m Cece and I’m remy and I’m charleston! 

We are excited to have a little extra help for this episode!  Episode 10 wraps up our  series on Famous Americans.  But that means you have so much more to get excited about!  Make sure to subscribe so you can be the first to hear every new episode.   

Episode 10 may feature the most famous American of them all.  

Cece: Tell us! Tell us! 

This famous american was our first president, THE general in the revolutionary war, his face is on the dollar bill and the quarter, he has a gigantic monument in the united states capitol, his home is a popular tourist attraction, and the US capitol is LITERALLY named after him.  I hope you already know who he is, but if you haven’t already taken a guess I’ll put you out of your misery.  

Cece: I think I know the answer 

Episode 10 is all about Famous American George Washington!  

Cece: I knew it! 

We are so excited to help you get to know more about this famous american. But before we do that we also have to give you some other exciting information.  After we wrap up our famous American series we have 2 new series for you to listen to. 

The first: In celebration of Black History month and Women’s history month the next 10 episodes will feature women who changed the world!  In February we will introduce you to Rosa Parks, Bessie Coleman, Ruby Bridges and Wangari Mathai in March you will get to learn more about Anne Frank, Malala You saf si, Sacagawea, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Susan B Anthony, and Eva Peron.  

Cece: But thats not all! 

President’s day is on February 17th.  For the week leading up to presidents day we will be dropping a 2nd series of mini-episodes on the presidents.  These 5 minute episodes will be a quick hit overview of some of our former presidents, their accomplishments, their mishaps, and their legacies.  

So now that you know where you are… 

Cece: Check this out podcast for kids 

Who we are talking about… 

Cece: President George Washington! 

And what’s coming next… 

Cece: Women who changed the world & president mini episodes

I think we can dive into episode 10 on George Washington.  

Cece LIsteners keep your ears open 

Because at the end of the episode we will highlight 3 of our favorite facts about George Washington that you can continue to check out on your own!  

Cece: Lets get into it 

Alright! George Washington born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia.  He grew up in Virginia and went to school on and off from the time he was 7 to 15.  But he was mostly self taught, and highly educated, especially in mathematics..  He studied geography and read lots of books.  In his teens he focused on learning to farm, how to grow tobacco, and raise animals (or livestock).  He loved learning about the science of farming!  He also learned how to survey land. He became a surveyor as his first profession at the age of 16! 

Check this out! 

Surveying is like being a detective for land, where you use special tools to measure and map out the exact shape and size of a piece of land. This helps people know where to build things like houses, roads, or parks.  

Washington’s dad died when he was 11 and his older brother, Lawrence became his caretaker.  Lawrence was who George Washington would eventually inherit his famous house from.  

Do you know what George Washtington’s famous home is called? Is it 

1. Middleton Place
2. Mount Vernon
3. Monticello 

Cece: If you said B you’re right! 

George Washington eventually inherited, Mount Vernon from his brother Lawrence.  In 1751 his brother got sick and took a trip to Barbados with George to feel better.  This trip to barbados was the only time George Washington left the united states!  

Cece: No way

Lawrence died not long after their trip and at the age of 20 years old George Washinton was put in charge of mount vernon.  This meant he needed to make it profitable, take care of the enslaved people who worked the fields, and expand the land.  Mount Vernon was a farm that grew tobacco and had animals, an orchard, and a variety of crops.  George loved farming and often wrote letters talking about the joy he got from farming.  

George Washington was a smart and curious man beyond farming who had  lots of hobbies before he became a general of the revolutionary war and 1st president of the united states.  

Cece: Like what? 

Honestly, what didn’t he like?! He enjoyed horse riding, fox hunting, dancing, going to theater shows, duck hunting and fishing. He liked playing pool and cards and horse races! He was an athletic man, and did physical activities as well such as wrestling and dancing.  

Cece: That is cool 

George’s father and brother both served in the military so it encouraged George to want to be in service as well.  He joined the Virginia Militia in 1752.  His military career began during the French and Indian War. But did you know he wasn’t always the military mastermind we think of?

Cece: What do you mean? 

He made some pretty big mistakes early in his military career!  

Cece: Tell us more! 

First- let’s make sure everyone knows what the french-indian war is! 

The French and Indian War lasted from 1754-1763. This was a conflict over whether Great Britain or France  would control the Ohio River valley.  What was then called the Ohio River valley is a part of the United States that includes modern-day Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.  The lands were fertile and both Britain and France wanted it for themselves.  

Cece: That makes a lot of sense! 

In October of 1753 George was sent on a mission to warn the French to stay away from the Ohio Valley.  After he came back and reported that they wanted it for themselves he was sent out to the Ohio Valley again.  Washington accidentally started the French and Indian War in 1754 when his forces attacked and killed a French officer. French and Indigenous American forces fought back and they beat Washington’s militia force badly. 

Cece: Uh oh 

That's not all.  The following year, Washington fought at another battle in 1755, where the French and their native allies beat them. He continued to serve in the war until he resigned in 1758. Though the British won the French Indian war, Washington’s reputation was not great because the British leadership thought he was a poor commander because of all his mistakes and the losses of his soldiers. But colonists saw him as a hero for his bravery and leadership in battle.

Cece: Fair enough

But the lesson here is that even though we often remember George Washington as a big military hero, his career as a military leader started rocky with some major losses that he had to figure out how to overcome.  

After he resigned from the war in 1758 he got married.  

Do you know the name of George Washington’s wife?  Was it 

A Georgina 

B Sally 

C Martha

If you said C you’re right! George married Martha Washington in 1759.  She was a widow and brought 2 children into her marriage with George.  She was wealthy and brought money, land, and additional enslaved people into her marriage to george.  

True or false: 

George and martha had 4 additional children together during their marriage

The answer is false! 

George Washington never had his own children in his life, but treated Martha's children from her previous marriage as his own, and eventually adopted martha’s grandchildren when Martha's daughter died right before the revolutionary war.  

After he served in the French Indian war he spent several years establishing Mount Vernon as a profitable farm, his family with martha, and his reputation as a gentleman from Virginia.  

Cece: That sounds nice 

In 1775, Washington went to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He was one of the Virginia delegates. 

Do you remember another delegate at the second continental congress who we have talked about before on the show?  

Cece: If you said Ben Franklin or Alexander Hamliton, good job!  

At the 2nd Continental Congress George Washington  was elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. On July 3, 1775, he took command of his troops. 

Washington faced a LOT of challenges during the revolutionary war. 

Cece: Like what mama? 

Some of his challenges included undermanned  and under trained troops.  He had to deal with supply shortages and inconsistent support from congress.  His troops weren’t always paid and they faced some harsh winters and morale issues throughout the war.  

Cece: You’ve got to be joking! 

I'm not! He was put in a tough situation, but made the most of it, ultimately helping the United states win their independence from Britain.  

Here are a few highlights from George Washington’s impact within the revolutionary war:  

• Initially Washington and the American troops were beaten by the British troops over and over again - but they didn’t give up even though the british had more resources and training.  
  • Cece: What an amazing story 
• In December of 1776 George Washington crossed the Delaware river and secured an important victory at the Battle of Trenton There is a famous painting of George crossing the river 
• The Continental Army spent a harsh winter at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania from 1777 to 1778, where they endured extreme cold, lack of food and supplies, and poor shelter, causing sickness and death. Valley Forge was important because this was when the army had a period of training and reorganization that transformed them into a more effective fighting force
• France entered the war and allied with the Americans in 1778. This provided Washington with the weapons, supplies, and reinforcements he needed to win.
  • Cece: That is good! 
• The Siege of Yorktown happened in 1781 and this was the battle that clinched the US’s victory!  
  • Cece: I want to check out more about that!  
• Washington was almost overthrown in something called a coup in March of 1783 right before the end of the war, but he managed to stop it 
• On September 3, 1783, the Revolutionary War officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
• Instead of stepping directly into leading the country and possibly becoming a military dictator, Washington stepped down after the treaty of paris and retired to Mount Vernon 
  • Cece:  
• Washington showed his ability to foster unity among very different groups like soldiers and build relationships with French allies.  

Cece: He was a busy guy!  

He was- AND when he stepped down after winning the war it was so unheard of, his willingness to give up power and make sure power transitioned peacefully is one of the main reasons he is remembered today.  

If you can believe it, we have spent all this time talking about George Washington and we haven’t even gotten to the point where he is president yet! 

Here are a few more interesting facts: 

• The trip George Washington took with his brother to Barbados was the only time he left the United States in his life! 
  • Cece: Wow! 
• George Washington was unanimously elected as president of the united states twice! 
  • Cece: Thats amazing! 
• George washington was an enslaver but was against the institution of slavery.  When he died there were 317 enslaved people at Mount Vernon, George owned 123.  He made the decision to free all of the enslaved people he owned in his will, making him the only President who was also an enslaver to make that choice.  
  • Cece: Oh thats important 
• Washington was the first person to sign the United States Constitution

Cece: What was your favorite fact? 

You may be surprised we aren’t talking about a cherry tree or his teeth.  But that is because we are going to save those for next time… YES listeners there is more on George Washington!  Presidents day is 02/17 and to celebrate we are going to drop a few mini-episodes about our first few presidents for you to learn about them and their presidency.  Tune back in for part 2 on George Washington on February 10th.  

And now we will end with a poem and 3 of our favorite facts that you can continue to research after the podcast is over.  

In Virginia's fields, long ago,

A boy named George began to grow.

With a heart so brave and a spirit so bright,

He dreamed of farming, and fighting the fight .  

He learned to survey from 16 years,

Mapping the land like a true pioneer 

As he grew older, his courage was shown,

In battles and armies, his valor was known.  

He led continental troops in a fight to be free,

Against mighty Britain, and for liberty .

Through winter's cold and the summer's heat,

He showed determination through near constant defeat.  

When the war ended and the country started to bloom,

President George Washington stood tall through the gloom 

He became the first president, wise and kind,

Creating an office of leadership with peace on his mind.  

He helped shape a nation where we all can thrive,

With liberty's promise, our hopes come alive.

George Washington, General, Founding Father and farmer 

Thanks for your bravery, your memory we honor 

Cece: Here are 3 of our favorite facts 

1. George washington wasn’t always the military genius he is remembered as.  Learn about his mishaps and mistakes during the french-indian war 
2. George Washington never had children of his own.  Learn more about his marriage to Martha, her children, and grandchildren and the role George played in their lives.  
3. George washington loved farming and he was passionate about innovative farming techniques. Learn about his passion for crop rotation, and the scientific ways he approached running Mount Vernon.  

Be sure to listen on 02/10 when we release part 2 on George Washington and focus on his time as the first president of the United States!  

At the “check this out” we know it can be hard to know if information you find online is accurate!  We use verified sources to build the stories you hear about. 

Cece Our sources for this week's episode are 

The white house, encyclopedia britanica, history.com, mount vernon,org, the Smithsonian, and the national museum of the united states army.  

Cece Thanks for listening See you next episode 

https://www.thenmusa.org/biographies/george-washington/#:~:text=He%20led%20the%20Continental%20Army,to%20succeed%20throughout%20his%20life. 

https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-first-president 

https://npg.si.edu/es/blog/george-washington-first-face-america 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Washington 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/george-washington/ 

https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/george-washington 

https://www.history.com/news/george-washington-french-indian-war-jumonville 

https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-revolutionary-war/timeline 

https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/10-things-you-really-ought-to-know-about-george-washington