west point became a military academy in 1781.
when did west point become a military academy?
1781
ideas for a national institution for military education were circulated during the american revolution. it wasn't until 1802 when jefferson, following the advice of george washington, john adams and others, finally convinced congress to authorize the funding and building of the united states military academy at west point on the hudson river in new york. on march 16, 1802, jefferson signed the military peace establishment act, directing that a corps of engineers be established and "stationed at west point in the state of new york, and shall constitute a military academy." the act would provide well-trained officers for a professional army. the officers would be reliable republicans rather than a closed elite as in europe, for the cadets were to be appointed by congressmen, and thus exactly reflect the nation's politics. in may 1801 secretary of war henry dearborn announced that the president had "decided in favor of the immediate establishment of a military school at west point and also on the appointment of major jonathan williams", grandnephew of benjamin franklin, to direct "the necessary arrangements, at that place for the commencement of the school." on july 4, 1802, the us military academy at west point formally commenced its role as an institution for scientific and military learning.
thomas jefferson and education
west point (disambiguation)





















































west point is the united states military academy, at west point, new york.





















































west point may also refer to:





















































section::::places.





















































section::::places.:united kingdom.





















































bullet::::- west point (building), a tower block in leeds, west yorkshire, england4





















































bullet::::- westpoint arena, a multi-purpose arena near exeter, uk





















































section::::places.:united states.





















































bullet::::- west point, alabama





















































bullet::::- west point, arkansas





















































bullet::::- west point, california





















































bullet::::- west point, georgia





















































bullet::::- west point, illinois





















































bullet::::- west point, indiana





















































bullet::::- west point, iowa





















































bullet::::- west point, kentucky





















































bullet::::- west point, minnesota





















































bullet::::- west point, mississippi





















































bullet::::- west point, nebraska





















































bullet::::- west point, new york
west point (disambiguation)