When Washington became commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, he proved to be a better general than any military strategist. He was able to keep his poorly trained, malnutritious, and less equipped soldiers intact. He was a major key factor in winning the war against Britain and keeping American morale alive when there was no hope left. However, by the end of the war, Washington surrendered his title as General of the Continental Army; allowing civilian control of the military. George Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention which tried to do a peaceful overthrow of the pristine American government. He was the first among many to recognize the novice flaws in the new government. With his experience in the Revolution, it