他原可以成为独裁者，但他却主动辞职，让美国成为真正的共和国

美国历史上的今天

华盛顿辞职

每天一篇《美国历史上的今天》，提炼和总结历史在今天发生的重要事件：谁，在哪里，什么时候，做了什么，这件事为什么重要、以及在写关于什么主题的论文的时候可以作为潜在论据引用。

每天半分钟，轻松积累史实

为AP历史拿5分打下坚实基础

When: December 23, 1783

What: After Britain recognized American independence with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783, General George Washington resigned as commander in chief of the Continental Army.

Why significant: Washington’s willingness to return to civilian life was indispensible in the transformation of the War for Independence into a true revolution. During the war, Congress had granted Washington powers equivalent to those of a dictator, and he could have easily taken solitary control of the new nation. In fact, some political factions wanted Washington to become the king of the new nation. Washington's modesty in declining the offer and resigning his military post at the end of the war fortified the republican foundations of the new nation. By surrendering his power to the civilian authority, Washington ensured that the United States would become a republic rather than a monarchy or a dictatorship.

He delivered his resignation speech on December 23, 1783 to Congress, in which he said,

"Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell to this August body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my Commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life."

Many commentators therefore compared Washington with Roman aristocrat and statesman Cincinnatus, who also voluntarily gave up great political power right after leading a successful war in time of crisis.

Washington then returned home in Mount Vernon, Virginia. But his respite proved very brief. Six years later,  He was unanimously elected to the first of two terms as president of the U.S. in 1788.

Tags: American Revolution, George Washington, Republic foundation, Treaty of Paris