Blake Austin

POLI 3710- Presidents and Gardens

9 December 2013

Washington’s Impact Historically

            All of George Washington’s impact as a president on America can be seen through his time spent on the gardens of his home Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon during a time of War sent letters back focused on the gardens. The garden was enormous and spectacular. It was the blueprint not only for future gardens but his view on politics. He understood even through defeating Britain he would return to Mount Vernon to live happily ever after. It was a physiological retreat for Washington during such times of violence. Vernon was an elongate place where its effects were to motivate Washington to return too after the war.

            

Washington was an All-American man. His appearance was one of the factors people sought out his leadership. He was a big man of his time. Washington stood a giant over is peers at a listed height and weight of six feet and two inches and weighed in at a tough two hundred pounds. His appearance was a symbol of what Americans wanted to portray.

            

George Washington’s background of being a man of the land landed himself in the American history books forever. Washington led his troops in a battle for freedom and at the time was defeating the greatest military the world had seen. By defeating such a strong army the people of the new founded freedom offered a dictatorship position but Washington declined as the mentioned in Andrea Wulf’s book just as Cincinnatus did. Because of his decision it led to term limits as the president. Washington did something during the fight that was seen as impossible today. He taught his troops to garden through regimental gardens. The reasons was not just to teach them how to feed themselves but also he saw gardening as a way away from the war mentally.

           

I think Washington’s greatest impact on America today was something that goes under the radar. I believe that Washington changed the thinking of American people. This is where I think his greatest impact is felt today without people understanding why. Using Mount Vernon as a symbol of America and keeping out foreign plants was a sign that America will and can stand on its own without the Britain influence. The people of America looked at Washington for guidance even after his presidency. I find it amazing how he went as far as changing the direction of Mount Vernon from Eastern to Western. Showing the people that America will look to expand western without the help of the eastern part of the world. It showed the people that its leader is fully in love with America! Mount Vernon was a symbol of America without the help from anyone. Washington used his love of gardening to teach the people what America is focused on and its goals of to be beautiful and elongate without the help of anyone.

Imagine a time of war. The violence and the images of what it takes to be a free American. Understand that no matter what happens domestically with America and its policies, once someone threatens that freedom we all unite to destroy the threat. I believed that Washington’s greatest accomplishment is being a leader that the people needed in changing their mental state. Given the people the hope and the symbols needed to keep fighting for our freedom as a nation.

            

During the readings from Andrea Wulf’s book I understand the difference of Washington’s effects on America and how his way of demonstrating his motivations would not be acceptable in today’s politics. George Washington loved his land. His land was his motivation to fight Britain. That is what Washington leaves on a top of other things he influenced. He leaves a burning flame in every American to fight for the free Washington led his troops to win. His impact is an everlasting in Americans without anyone truthfully understanding why that fire burns. He was an All-American man that died fighting for the land and gardens he greatly loved and understands the impact of its meanings during a time today where no one fully respects gardening. It built our country and one day we will need to get back to our founding fathers ideals and their passions to survive.