George Washington Enters Politics

Colonial Settlement
Written By Tom Hand

George Washington was elected to Virginia’s House of Burgesses in 1758, becoming active in colonial politics. Washington was a moderate and initially took a measured but critical approach to English policies. After the Boston Tea Party in 1773, and King George’s harsh response, delegates from twelve colonies met at the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, with Washington as one of Virginia’s seven representatives. When delegates reconvened in May 1775, the American colonies were at war with England following the Battles of Lexington and Concord and found a capable leader in George Washington.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses George Washington’s path from the Virginia House of Burgesses to commander of the Continental Army, and why it still matters today.

Images courtesy of National Portrait Gallery – Smithsonian Institution, Mount Vernon, Yale University Art Gallery, Library of Congress, Gilcrease Museum, National Army Museum, The New York Public Library, Museums at Washington and Lee University, Wikipedia. 

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Tom Hand
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