Abbas I vs George Washington

Abbas I created a standing army of ghulams (military slaves) recruited from Christian subjects in the Caucasus, particularly Georgians and Armenians. This reduced reliance on the Qizilbash tribal forces, increased royal control, and modernized the military with firearms and artillery.

Abbas I moved the Safavid capital from Qazvin to Isfahan, transforming it into a magnificent city with grand architecture, including Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the Shah Mosque, and the Ali Qapu Palace. This relocation became a symbol of Safavid power and cultural flourishing.

Abbas I sent diplomatic missions to European courts, including those of Philip III of Spain, Rudolf II of the Holy Roman Empire, and Elizabeth I of England, seeking alliances against the Ottoman Empire. These missions opened sustained diplomatic and commercial exchanges between Safavid Persia and Europe.

Abbas I defeated an Ottoman army near Sufiyan, securing Safavid control over Azerbaijan and the Caucasus. This victory was part of the Ottoman-Safavid War of 1603-1618, which resulted in the recapture of Tabriz, Nakhchivan, and Yerevan from Ottoman occupation.

Abbas I, with support from the English East India Company, captured the island of Hormuz from Portuguese control. This ended Portuguese dominance in the Persian Gulf and opened direct trade routes for Safavid Persia with Europe, boosting the silk trade.

Abbas I captured Baghdad from the Ottoman Empire after a siege, restoring Safavid control over Iraq. This victory expanded Safavid territory and gave Abbas control over important Shi'a pilgrimage sites like Najaf and Karbala.

The Second Continental Congress appointed Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. He accepted the position without pay, taking command of the forces besieging Boston at the start of the American Revolutionary War.

On the night of December 25-26, 1776, Washington led 2,400 troops across the ice-choked Delaware River. The surprise attack on Hessian forces at Trenton resulted in a decisive American victory, capturing nearly 1,000 prisoners and reviving Patriot morale after a series of defeats.

Washington served as president of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia from May to September 1787. His presence lent legitimacy to the proceedings, and he formally signed the final draft of the U.S. Constitution, though he contributed little to the debates.

Washington was unanimously elected by the Electoral College and inaugurated on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City. He established numerous executive branch precedents, including the cabinet system, the inaugural address, and the title 'Mr. President'.

Washington issued the Proclamation of Neutrality on April 22, 1793, declaring the United States neutral in the conflict between France and Great Britain. This decision established the precedent of American isolationism and avoided entanglement in European wars.

Washington published his Farewell Address on September 19, 1796, announcing his decision not to seek a third term. The address warned against political factionalism, permanent foreign alliances, and the influence of the military in government, shaping American political culture.