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Analysis

Washington understood that in order to win the war he needed to convince people of America's power and resolve. He needed to convince the British that his army would not crumble; he needed to convince the French that helping America would help France; he needed to convince Americans that it was worth the sacrifice and suffering. He, almost alone, juggled the expectations of three nations. He suffered many defeats and setbacks, but seems to never have lost his belief in his cause. In his letters to friends, colleagues, and the Continental Congress, he never wavered in his conviction that America would prevail.

Even if Washington ever doubted America's chances, he dared not express his fears in public. No one knew better than he did what a long shot it was. This is why he was eager to attack; the constant waiting and retreating made him restless. The longer the wait, the less likely he would be to keep the loyalty and spirit of his soldiers and the American people. When the French entered the war, most Americans rejoiced, believing the war would soon end. Washington knew differently. The French joined the war to hurt Britain, not to help America. Their assistance would only go so far.

Washington believed that virtue and honor in defense of a just cause would bring America victory. He took these ideals seriously. He came from a society in which men of his class all sought honor and the respect of their fellow citizens. For these men wealth was a given–they owned slaves and vast tracts of land–but honor had to be earned. From our perspective they may seem hypocritical or self-righteous, but they ought to be judged by the standards of their own time.

Washington took the notion of virtue more seriously than most people did. He believed in duty to his country and expected as much from his solders. This is why Arnold's defection caused him such pain; it is also why he was so disturbed to discover that his own officers had been plotting to overthrow Congress. When he learned of the plot he called his officers together and reminded them of their duty to the people of America. He ended with a dramatic touch, pulling out his eyeglasses to read. "Gentleman you must pardon me," Washington said, "I have grown gray in the service of my country and now find myself growing blind." With these simple words and gesture, Washington communicated to his troops how much he had sacrificed for the cause of liberty and that a betrayal of those ideals would be a betrayal of him. The officers, shamed and inspired, immediately gave up their rebellious plans.

Washington expressed his ideals not in words but in action. No single moment of his life expresses this better than his resignation in 1783. While we can hardly imagine an American dictator or monarch now, in 1783 such leaders were all the world knew. Yet Washington, like many Americans, believed in democracy (albeit a kind of democracy that was very different from what we now have). He knew that by resigning his command he would prove that the ideals of the Revolutionary War were real, not mere excuses to avoid paying taxes. Many Americans were equally devoted to liberty and law and would have done the same thing in Washington's place. But, fortunately, Washington combined that devotion with ambition and ability to lead America through eight years of war, facing a skeptical Congress and a frustrated army.

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