Read over Joseph P. Ellis’s His Excellency: George Washington. You should read the book in its entirety, highlighting or taking notes over ideas and events you find interesting. Then prepare an essay that explains at least FOUR of the following seven features of Washington’s personal life and his contributions to public service:
Washington’s personality and family influences
his education compared to other U.S. founders, and what this meant throughout his career
his success (or not) as a businessman, and the role of western lands in his finances
Washington’s experience as a military commander, both as a young officer and as general in the American revolution
his attitude toward slavery
as president, and his attitudes toward large vs. small government
his attitude toward retirement, age, and death
It is unnecessary to address all of these features; it is better to select four that you feel comfortable addressing and explain each as thoroughly as possible, devoting about a page to each topic.
Do not separate your essay into four separate sub-categories; rather, weave the four into one coherent essay with a consistent thesis. Your essay must use at least four quotations, one for each feature, but these should be no more than a sentence or two in length. The majority of the paper must be in your own words; essays that are excessively filled with direct quotes from the book will be penalized. The purpose of this assignment is for you to demonstrate understanding of Ellis’s biography. Finally, your paper should have a proper introduction and conclusion.
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