Join this channel to get early access to episodes, ad-free watching, and priority access to our live events: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYK0BJZF3yNb2fw1EdAXUQ/join Our whole series on the founding fathers is available here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTif5sfFku-8 Washington: https://youtu.be/K1BaPETVOQA Franklin: https://youtu.be/yZ8OlsW1XSo Hamilton: https://youtu.be/DRDxzSNxUIs Where did George Washington come from, and what was he like? How did he come to take on such a pivotal role in the American Revolution? And, was he really central to America’s triumphant struggle for independence? Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into the extraordinary life and origins of George Washington. Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations. Discover something new on TikTok. Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Social channels: https://www.instagram.com/theresthistory/ https://www.tiktok.com/@theresthistory https://x.com/TheRestHistory https://bsky.app/profile/theresthistory.bsky.social https://www.threads.com/@theresthistory 0:00 Lloyd’s 1:49 Reagan, American exceptionalism, and the myth of Valley Forge 5:34 George Washington: the Founding Father behind the marble statue 10:01 Washington’s early life, weak voice, bad teeth, and terrifying self-control 14:19 Washington, the Seven Years’ War, and his resentment of Britain 17:01 Why the American colonies rebelled over taxes and western expansion 20:04 Washington becomes commander of the Continental Army 21:50 Why Britain struggled to defeat the American rebellion 25:56 1777: Saratoga, Philadelphia, and Washington’s nightmare year 28:07 Valley Forge: why Washington chose it, and why it became sacred 31:39 Starvation, disease, fire cakes, and the horrors of the camp 36:24 Washington’s dignity and the fake story of him praying in the snow 41:04 TikTok 42:15 Christmas at Valley Forge and the army close to collapse 45:30 Martha Washington arrives, and Washington comes under pressure 49:57 Black soldiers, slavery, and Washington’s changing views 55:18 Baron von Steuben arrives and transforms the Continental Army 1:00:55 The French alliance changes the course of the war 1:05:18 Monmouth, the global war, and why Washington mattered 1:08:06 Washington resigns command and becomes America’s Cincinnatus 1:10:30 Washington’s teeth, his final image, and what made him indispensable 1:12:34 Rest Is History Festival / outro Video Editor: Jack Meek, Harry Swan & Adam Thornton Social Producer: Harry Balden Producers: Aaliyah Akude & Tabby Syrett Senior Producer: Callum Hill Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Head of Digital & Social: Sam Oakley