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Young Washington Captures The Spirit Of America

Young Washington emphasizes the uniquely American character of the Father of Our Country, while honoring his ‘wild, beautiful, dangerous, but free’ life.

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The Young Washington movie could have been a cheap attempt to cater to patriotic conservatives who were excited to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. It also could have pandered to the left’s version of history that often vilifies men like George Washington to spin negative narratives about the founding of the country. The movie did neither; instead, it captured the real spirit of America personified in one of its greatest men.

As the movie trailer shows, the film focuses on George Washington’s role in the French and Indian War, tracing his childhood ambition to become a British officer to his eventual appointment as colonel of the Virginia militia in 1756, when he was just 23 years old. Within that timeline, Young Washington shows the elements of the American character taking shape.

‘Even a Pawn Can Take the King’

George Washington’s character embodies the overconfident ambition that is a hallmark of the American spirit. From his early childhood, George has great ambitions to elevate his status from a common farmer to a high-class British officer. After his father’s death, he is mentored by his half-brother Lawrence Washington, who tells him, “If you want to be great, you need to learn from those who were.”

Lawrence teaches George from the works of Cicero, Cato, and Seneca, he helps him learn rules for civility in the company of gentlemen, and he teaches him wisdom and strategy from the game of chess.

“Even a pawn can take the King,” Lawrence tells a young George, and that sentiment drives George to a foolish confidence that he could defeat any odds in his path to greatness. This confidence would lead him astray at times, even leading to........

© The Federalist