George Washington had character and was extraordinary. Ellis described Washington as an "incalculable asset." His leadership skills were unique. His actions were done for his country, not for political gain. He was also directly associated with all the major events of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress, and the building of the new republic. The new capital of the country also had his name. These were some of the things that made it so special. Washington was not proud and was not easily led. He offered suggestions and warnings to his deputies and told the government to expand in order to keep the country on its feet; he was well aware of how sensitive the country was. The United States would never have survived without him. In George Washington's farewell address, he made a few main points. Some of the main points he stated were that there was a "need for national unity", an "independence from foreign countries", which together meant "unity at home and independence abroad". The paradox of the American Revolution refers to this because Americans fought for freedom but still possessed it