2025 Winning Essay (High School)
Hudson Binder
Commonwealth Academy
George Washington was an inspirational leader whose notable qualities led his troops to win a war no one thought was possible. He led his troops through hard times such as Valley Forge, where he led his troops through a very tough period of the American Revolution, rallied people with different beliefs and countries of origin, even rallying countries such as Spain and France, and inspired many people to join the uphill battle of a revolution against one of the greatest military powers of the world.
First, George Washington led his troops through many hardships. During Valley Forge, 12,000 to 14,000 Continental Army soldiers were suffering in the harsh conditions. The cold of winter and lack of clothing caused many soldiers to suffer frostbite and have limbs amputated. The camp reportedly had only 25 barrels of flour and a small amount of salted pork. According to Washington, if nothing was done quickly, the army would dissolve, likely causing America to lose the war. Washington moved to the camp with his aides.
There were many other hardships, such as lack of clothing, food and pay. Around 2,000 died in the encampment due to illness or other reasons. Another 3,000 lacked clothing. In order to help his soldiers, Washington wrote several letters to Congress demanding food and other supplies, according to this letter: George Washington from Valley Forge on the urgent need for men and supplies, 1777 | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. In this 1777 letter, Washington states “There is one thing more to which I would take the liberty of solliciting your most serious and constant attention; to wit, the cloathing of your Troops, and the procuring of every possible supply in your power from time to time for that end.”Congress often shot down these requests, and he had to deflect charges of incompetence from Congress as well, according to this article: Valley Forge | George Washington's Mount Vernon. It took a while for the Continental Congress to hear Washington out, but they eventually responded.
Clearly Washington had to be an inspiring leader for his troops to follow him through those hardships. This is relevant to today because today’s leaders also need to be able to lead through hardship and provide hope.
Second, Washington inspired many people to join the army. Around 377,000 of 2,500,000 colonists enlisted for the Revolutionary War, despite the fact that the soldiers were highly underpaid and facing an uphill battle. For such a multitude of people to join the revolution, knowing the very low pay and that they were fighting against one of the strongest militaries in the world, they must have believed in the American cause and that their commanding officer Washington could lead them to victory, which he eventually did. Just like Washington, the leaders of today need to be able to recruit people to hard causes; if they can’t do that, they will have trouble leading.
Third, people of many nationalities, including immigrants and free and enslaved blacks, rallied behind Washington. Nations such as France and Spain also assisted Washington and the colonists during the Revolutionary War. People from Europe such as Marquis de Lafayette and Baron Fredreich von Stueben helped extensively during the war, with Baron von Stueben helping train soldiers during Valley Forge and Lafayette helping in the American victory at Yorktown.
To attract people of different beliefs, minorities, and immigrants, Washington had to be a very convincing and charismatic leader. Most of these people lived across the ocean, and the fact that they were willing to assist him in the war against the British shows his inspiring leadership. He also had to be diplomatic and inspiring to attract allies. This is relevant to leaders of today because a leader needs to be diplomatic and inspiring to rally people of different beliefs, ethnicities, and even other nations to be great leaders.
In conclusion, Washington was an inspirational leader who led his troops through great hardships. He helped the Continental Army come together at Valley Forge, convinced many to join the revolution, and persuaded many people of different beliefs and ethnicities to rally behind him. Overall, his legacy during the Revolutionary War is one that should be remembered by the leaders of today.
Sources
Valley Forge | George Washington's Mount Vernon
Continental Army | American Revolutionary War
Introduction - Racial, Ethnic, and Religious Minorities in the Revolutionary War: A Resource Guide - Research Guides at Library of Congress
American Revolution Facts | American Battlefield Trust
Soldier Pay in the American Revolution | American Battlefield Trust
Valley Forge Encampment | American Battlefield Trust