Date of Award
5-1959
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
History
First Advisor
Raphael N. Hamilton
Second Advisor
Herbert W. Rice
Third Advisor
Joseph P. Donnelly
Abstract
The common image of George Washington known to the average individual depicts him as the daring and capable patriot leading ragged armies to victory over the British. colorful though this portrait may be it rests on the misconception that Washington was born, lived and died a vehement patriot similar to Samuel Adams and John Hancock. The assumption that Washington was always an ardent nationalist is false.
I has been my task to trace the growth of George Washington's conversion to the patriotic cause; a conversion much influenced by the events of his day. The turnabout in Washington's political thinking culminated in his belief that America must be free and independent. Of necessity he arrived at that conclusion very slowly because of his essentially conservative temperament. However, once Washington was convinced the colonies had to break with Britain nothing could shake him from that goal.
Recommended Citation
Gleissner, Richard A., "George Washington, Burgess The Development of His Attitude Toward American Independence, 1759-1775" (1959). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 5606.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/5606