George Washington

African-American Studies > Slavery
History > Leaders
History > U.S. Birth of the Nation 1750-1800
History > U.S. Presidency

George Washington

Evaluates the character of George Washington based on his controversial actions relating to slavery.

2,120 words () | 25 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that scholars, especially blacks, have attacked Washington, denouncing him as a racist, anti-black and a licentious adventurer who fathered black children by his slaves. The author points out that, initially, he treated slaves essentially as chattels, oblivious of trauma they endured; however, over the course of his lifetime, his views gradually changed. The paper reports that, in his will, he manumitted his slaves and provided for former slaves unable to support themselves, paying pensions as late as 1833. The author concludes that this act confirmed his public virtue and made him an embodiment of the ideas of popular sovereignty and liberty.

From the Paper:

"His leadership of the Continental Army forced Washington to confront his own attitudes towards slavery. Finding large numbers of free blacks serving in the Army, he initially dismissed these soldiers. However, when the British offered freedom to blacks who took up arms for the crown, Washington reversed himself and allowed the free blacks to reenlist and fight to keep this force from the British. Blacks were eventually some twenty percent of the Army. During the War, Washington was apparently quite an impartial commander, treating black as soldiers, and paying them full respect."

Sample of Sources Used:

Bennett, Clifford and Ervin Jordan. "George Washington: A Hero for American Students?" Social Studies 88, no. 4 (1997): 153-56.
Berkowitz, Peter. "Gentlemen Revolutionaries." Policy Review 137 (2000): 71-80.
Bowen, Catherine Drinker. Miracle at Philadelphia. Boston, Massachusetts: Little, Brown & Co., 1986.
Carpenter, Joseph. "The Bicentennial and the Black Revolution: Is It a Myth or a Reality?" Negro History Bulletin 39 (January 1976): 496.
Cunliffe, Marcus. George Washington: Man and Monument. New York, New York: New American Library, 1982.