The Second Continental Congress unanimously appointed George Washington commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in June 1775.
Congress selected Washington on June 15, 1775, shortly after establishing the Continental Army to coordinate Patriot forces already fighting around Boston. Washington was a Virginia planter and former British military officer whose experience in the French and Indian War gave him a national reputation. His selection also helped unite the colonies behind an army led by a Virginian rather than a New England commander.
Washington took command in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on July 3, 1775. He faced major problems, including short enlistments, shortages of weapons and supplies, disagreements among officers, and the difficulty of coordinating troops from different colonies. He remained commander-in-chief throughout the Revolutionary War.
Washington’s wartime role came before his presidency. He later presided over the Constitutional Convention and became the first president of the United States in 1789. The Continental Army was distinct from state militias, although both forces served the Patriot cause during the conflict.