
French and Indian War
George Washington's forays into the Ohio country shaped his career and sparked a global war.
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A close examination of some of Washington’s writings provides many clues as to why Washington joined the Revolutionary War.
While serving in the British Army during the French and Indian War, Washington grew frustrated. He did not understand why Virginians with the same rank were paid less than those with royal commissions.
I would rather prefer the great toil of a daily laborer, and dig for a maintenance, provided I were reduced to the necessity, than serve upon such ignoble terms; for I really do not see why the lives of his Majesty’s subjects in Virginia should be of less value, than of those in other parts of his American dominions; especially when it is well known, that we must undergo double their hardship.
I could enumerate a thousand difficulties that we have met with, and must expect to meet with, more than other officers who have almost double our pay; but as I know you reflect on these things, and are sensible of the hardships we must necessarily encounter, it would be needless to enlarge.
Only a few months later, the army restructured and Washington was demoted. Instead of serving as lieutenant colonel he would become a captain of one of ten Virginia regiments. Furthermore, anyone with a royal commission who held the same rank would outrank him. Despite wanting to remain in the army, Washington decides he must quit.
I think, the disparity between the present offer of a Company, and my former Rank, too great to expect any real satisfaction or enjoyment in a Corps, where I once did, or thought I had a right to, command
In short, every Captain, bearing the King’s Commission; every half-pay Officer, or other, appearing with such commission, would rank before me
My inclinations are strongly bent to arms.
For a deeper explanation of this topic see The Founders at Home: The Building of America, 1735-1817 by Myron Magnet. He explores each of the letters and contextualizes them within Washington’s life.
George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, May 18, 1754, http://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/GEWN-02-01-02-0050.
George Washington to William Fitzhugh, November 15, 1754, http://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/GEWN-02-01-02-0114.
George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, July 18, 1755, http://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/GEWN-02-01-02-0168.
George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, March 10, 1757, http://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/GEWN-02-04-02-0062.
George Washington to the Officers of the Virginia Regiment, January 10, 1759, http://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/GEWN-02-06-02-0152.
George Washington to Robert Cary & Co., September 20, 1765, http://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/GEWN-02-07-02-0252-0001.
George Washington to George Mason, April 5, 1769, http://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/GEWN-02-08-02-0132.
George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, July 4, 1774, http://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/GEWN-02-10-02-0075.
George Washington to George William Fairfax, May 31, 1775, http://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/GEWN-02-10-02-0281.