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The First Conspiracy


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The men of Washington's Life Guard were required to be sober and honest, and to fit a particular physical type. Why do you suppose Washington made these stipulations?

Created: 05/10/23

Replies: 15

Posted May. 10, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3444

The men of Washington's Life Guard were required to be sober and honest, and to fit a particular physical type. Why do you suppose Washington made these stipulations?

The men of Washington's Life Guard were required to be sober and honest; from five feet, eight inches to five feet ten inches in height; handsome and well made; neat and spruce. What did you think of these specifications? Why do you suppose Washington made these stipulations?


Posted May. 11, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rosemaryc

Join Date: 05/07/16

Posts: 25

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

Washington was very aware that image matters to others and he was very careful of how he looked and comported himself in public. I imagine he wanted his Life Guard members to be good representatives and to portray sobriety and vigor. Except for the requirement that the members be handsome, the other qualities he sought would hopefully produce men who would be vigilant and able to physically protect him.


Posted May. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Marcia S

Join Date: 02/08/16

Posts: 505

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

The Life Guard were representative of him to others. He wanted them to portray the best person they could be, as it reflected on his character also. It also was a symbol of him being surrounded by "the best," which also elevated his standing.


Posted May. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Holland

Join Date: 08/10/22

Posts: 15

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

The Life Guards were Washington's ideal. Men who take care of themselves have an attention to detail that slovenly men do not have. Washington needed men with attention to detail.


Posted May. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lorrained

Join Date: 12/04/20

Posts: 137

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

He had to know that members of the Life Guards could protect him at any time, from anything or person. He needed them to be alert, quick to respond, and committed to his protection. He thought that if they were of high moral character combined with all of the other required attributes they would command respect from other soldiers and the public in general. Unfortunately he didn't decipher a way to ensure their loyalty.


Posted May. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Jill

Join Date: 12/14/22

Posts: 79

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

Washington’s focus on the physical aspects of each soldier made sense with the exception of the height requirement. The authors note each regiment sent 4 soldiers and that Washington selected 50 soldiers from the total sent. There is no explanation about whether Washington’s selections were by appearance or whether he interviewed each soldier selected. I was left wondering whether there was much discussion about character. Washington’s letters frequently reflected discussion about the values of integrity, duty, trust, and honesty. I could not help but wonder whether more emphasis on values would have minimized some of what happened later on.


Posted May. 14, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
LoLa

Join Date: 05/14/23

Posts: 6

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

I think because he is that way himself. He believes in integrity and honesty and that a man's character should be about duty and trust. One does not come about those characteristics by drinking and lying. As for physical attributes, since Washington was so tall and strong, he very well could not have short, weak, not in shape men defending him.


Posted May. 14, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gerrieb

Join Date: 09/03/19

Posts: 208

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

Washington was very aware of the importance of image in establishing his and his armies' reputation among the population. He went so far as to stop to mount a grey horse prior to entering a town so he would make his most impressive presentation. He was careful to always wear appropriate attire that would command respect and project an air of prestige, and accent his height and commanding presence. He knew the importance of looking a part. He needed the colonists to support him, his army and the cause and part of gaining that support was portraying himself, and his immediate entourage in such a way as to garner that respect. The height requirement, similar to the Rockettes, provides an orderly, eye pleasing review. The average men during this time was about 5'8" so he is choosing those at average and taller to form his inner circle, those who would be seen with him at every venue. His requirement for handsome, "well made, neat and spruce", again, reflects the desire to set an example. The criteria of sobriety and honesty , only makes sense as Washington would need to be able to trust these men with his life. Further review shows he was disgusted and dismayed by the behavior and appearance of many of those in his army and while he could not, though he tried, reform them all into his idea of a moral and honorable man he could have these characteristics he desired be represented in those that were chosen to be most closely attached to him.


Posted May. 14, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gerrieb

Join Date: 09/03/19

Posts: 208

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

Washington was very aware of the importance of image in establishing his and his armies' reputation among the population. He went so far as to stop to mount a grey horse prior to entering a town so he would make his most impressive presentation. He was careful to always wear appropriate attire that would command respect and project an air of prestige, and accent his height and commanding presence. He knew the importance of looking a part. He needed the colonists to support him, his army and the cause and part of gaining that support was portraying himself, and his immediate entourage in such a way as to garner that respect. The height requirement, similar to the Rockettes, provides an orderly, eye pleasing review. The average men during this time was about 5'8" so he is choosing those at average and taller to form his inner circle, those who would be seen with him at every venue. His requirement for handsome, "well made, neat and spruce", again, reflects the desire to set an example. The criteria of sobriety and honesty , only makes sense as Washington would need to be able to trust these men with his life. Further review shows he was disgusted and dismayed by the behavior and appearance of many of those in his army and while he could not, though he tried, reform them all into his idea of a moral and honorable man he could have these characteristics he desired be represented in those that were chosen to be most closely attached to him.


Posted May. 17, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
angelaw

Join Date: 05/26/22

Posts: 76

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

My view is that Washington made these stipulations for 2 reasons: 1) sober, honest physically strong men will provide better protection because they are less compromised by bad habits and strong men are more likely to prevail in a physical alteration 2) Washington was image conscious and men with these characteristics present a better image.


Posted May. 17, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carla a

Join Date: 04/15/22

Posts: 23

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

It seemed that George Washington knew no other way than to be sober and honest. He saw all kinds of behaviors in his army. He must have realized how dangerous his position was and wanted those around him to be at their best as well.


Posted May. 21, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
PKH

Join Date: 01/29/21

Posts: 120

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

As many have said, Washington was very aware of image and the need for an impeccable image in order to project a strong leader, worthy of others to follow.


Posted May. 25, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
scottishrose

Join Date: 07/24/11

Posts: 220

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

Washington was relying on these men as those who associate most closely with his person. I think that he wanted to be surrounded by people who could live up to a certain set of standards. Unfortunately, some of those who were chosen failed him in the end.


Posted May. 25, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
valeriei

Join Date: 01/04/23

Posts: 16

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

If five men were to be chosen from each regiment to form a private Life Guard to protect General Washington, then I would assume Washington would presuppose that the Officers making the choice were reliable and making honest choices. The men were foot soldiers and seen grouped around him most of the time and therefore look at their best if they were well groomed and of similar height and deportment. Washington had never been the General in total charge before. He was low on funds and had many concerns about supplies to run an army. He had his priorities.


Posted May. 28, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mceacd

Join Date: 07/03/18

Posts: 132

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

Washington’s Life Guards were to be the elite among the soldiers and for good reason. The qualities he stipulated were mere common sense. In addition, they provided a benchmark of excellence that other soldiers could aspire to. Finally, these were the type of people Washington was accustomed to, and it would be difficult to trust men who were not of good character. The physical characteristics were also practical. They could handle themselves well with opponents and presented a fearsome foe when faced with adversaries.


Posted Jun. 05, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cathyt

Join Date: 08/14/22

Posts: 29

RE: The men of Washington's Life ...

Washington was fastidious with himself and his appearance. He believed in honesty, order, cleanliness and loyalty. How could he not want his men to have similar beliefs? He demanded his troops follow rules and behave with decorum. He understood that keeping clean and following orders were imperative for an army's success. As for his own personal troops, he understood his importance to the success of the revolution. He needed protection from the dangers of being a leader. Thus, he needed exceptional troops.


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