【12/23 今日美史】他的主动辞职，让美国成为真正的共和国

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12/23

George Washington resigned

When

Where

Who

What

When: 1783

Who： George Washington

What：After Britain recognized American independence with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783, General George Washington resigned as commander in chief of the Continental Army.

乔治华盛顿辞职

Why

significant

Washington’s willingness to return to civilian life was indispensible in the transformation of the War for Independence into a true revolution. During the war, Congress had granted Washington powers equivalent to those of a dictator, and he could have easily taken solitary control of the new nation. In fact, some political factions wanted Washington to become the king of the new nation. Washington's modesty in declining the offer and resigning his military post at the end of the war fortified the republican foundations of the new nation. By surrendering his power to the civilian authority, Washington ensured that the United States would become a republic rather than a monarchy or a dictatorship.

He delivered his resignation speech on December 23, 1783 to Congress, in which he said,

"Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell to this August body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my Commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life."

Many commentators therefore compared Washington with Roman aristocrat and statesman Cincinnatus, who also voluntarily gave up great political power right after leading a successful war in time of crisis.

Washington then returned home in Mount Vernon, Virginia. But his respite proved very brief. Six years later,  He was unanimously elected to the first of two terms as president of the U.S. in 1788.

Tags

American Revolution, George Washington, Republic foundation, Treaty of Paris