Founding of West Point
On March 16, 1802, the Military Academy at West Point was founded.
Poised above the Hudson River, 50 miles north of New York City, West Point was first established as Fort Arnold, in 1778. The site was selected because of the unusual S-curve in the Hudson River below. Military engineer Tadeusz Kościuszko organized the fort’s defenses.
The fort was a key defense designed to prevent British warships from sailing up the Hudson River and into New York’s interior. General George Washington considered West Point to be the most strategic location in America. Fortifications built there served as Washington’s headquarters in the summer and fall of 1779.
The fort was originally named after its first commander – Benedict Arnold. When Arnold switched his allegiance to the British, he offered to turn West Point over to the enemy. The capture of his British contact, Major John Andre, prevented the completion of the treachery, but Arnold fled to safety with the British Army. After his act of treason, the fort was renamed Fort Clinton, after General James Clinton.
In 1781, a “Corps of Invalids” was sent by Continental Congress to West Point to “give service to disabled officers” so that they could share “military knowledge to young gentlemen.” Few officers participated and the corps was disbanded two years later.
After the war ended, West Point was the largest post in the Army. President George Washington came to believe that there should be a national military academy, but his Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson said he shouldn’t create one because there wasn’t a provision for it in the Constitution. Though many in Congress agreed with Jefferson, in 1794, they authorized the creation of a “Corps of Artillerist and Engineers” at West Point. However, they wouldn’t receive an official course of study for several years.
In the coming years, conflicts such as the Quasi-War with France and the Battle of the Wabash led Congress to believe there should be a formal military school at West Point. In 1801, they authorized President John Adams to take steps to improve the situation at West Point, but he took no action. By that time, there were just 12 cadets and one instructor there.
Once Thomas Jefferson assumed the presidency, his feelings on the idea of national military academy changed. Shortly after taking office, he called for legislation establishing a Corps of Engineers “which shall be stationed at West Point and constitute a Military Academy.” Congress created and approved the Military Peace Establishment Act and Jefferson signed it into law on March 16, 1802.
For the academy’s first superintendent, Jefferson picked Jonathan Williams, a scientist with no military background. The first classes were held on July 4, 1802, and the first person to graduate was Joseph Gardner Swift that October. The school had few standards for admission or length of programs. Cadets were admitted between the ages of 10 and 37 and could attend for as little as six months to as long as six years.
With the outbreak of the War of 1812, Congress pushed for a more formal system and increased the number of students to 250. One of the most influential people in the academy’s history was Sylvanus Thayer, who served as superintendent from 1817-1833. During that time he emphasized high academic standards, military discipline, and honorable conduct. For his contributions, he’s known as the Father of the Military Academy. A century later, another graduate and then-superintendent Douglas MacArthur expanded the curriculum, set the goal of “every cadet an athlete,” and formalized the commitment to the Cadet Honor Code, “A cadet will not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do.”
Many West Pointers have left their mark on American history. They include Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, George S. Patton, Jr., Dwight D. Eisenhower, John J. Pershing, Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin, and H. Norman Schwarzkopf.
Learn more on West Point’s official website.
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West Point is steeped in history and my family is part of it. My 3rd great grandfather walked from MA to West Point in Jun 1780 to join the Continental Army. He was there for the Benedict Arnold caper. My cousin, for whom I am named, is a graduate of the class of 1928, and his son the class of ’53. Needless to say, I have never visited that site on the Hudson but I have is stamped in my album.
A great background update about West Point! I am a very proud U.S. Army veteran, and strongly believe that every American man and woman should serve at least one year in the military to learn firsthand and absolutely understand the DIFFERENCE between living in a free and open society like the US … and having to live under absolute control (as in the military, to be able to improve your chances of survival). Spending at least one year in the Army is very similar to living under authoritarian control except in dictatorships you get brutalized or killed if you don’t do exactly and instantly what you are told TO do or NOT to do !! You will love the USA even MORE after this important experience and understanding.