ipl-logo

George Washington's Farewell Address: A Strong Central Government

675 Words3 Pages

George Washington, elected to the Presidency in 1789, enjoyed a reputation that blurred the line between omnipotence and reality. Washington’s Farewell Address, as the letter is now called, has inspired much historical analysis, but its initial impact on publication centered on a single fact: Washington was leaving office. By voluntarily relinquishing the power of the Presidency, Washington initiated the two-term tradition, which was not officially established until the Twenty-second Amendment was passed in 1951. A modern citizen may take a two-term presidency as a given, but the citizens of 1790s saw in Washington's retirement a serious threat. For one, he was leaving the country in a state of flux and uncertainty. Secondly, there had been no period of time in which the nation had been without Washington as a leader. Lastly, eight years seemed rather short for a people who had been raised under monarchs. …show more content…

Experience and excellent judgment allowed him to give us stirring warnings. No one was more acquainted with the inner workings of the new Republic’s government than he, and no one knew how better it may be abused. From the outset, one will notice that the arguments in this paper strongly defend a strong, central government. But Washington's persistence on a strong central government was not what all readers might think. He wasn’t saying that a government should impose its force on its citizens. Such a government could exploit the liberty of its people. The government he proposes would be effective in defending those liberties. If one would read closely they would find very resolute statements about the unity of the nation. People in Washington's day felt more loyalty do state governments then the federal government, and Washington knew this could be

Show More
Related
343 Words | 2 Pages

James Madison’s Federalist 10 was written amid criticisms that a republican form of government had never been successful on a large scale. Madison’s argument was that a well-constructed union could control factions. He argued that in order to control factions from their causes, we would need to either give up liberty or free thought. Since we cannot infringe upon these two natural rights, we must move on to controlling the effects. A republic, Madison argues, would be able to do this because the people choose the representatives, and they choose representatives who they feel best represent their opinions.

Read More
1211 Words | 5 Pages

The era is 1785-1799, and the people of the states are hard at work. The Articles of Confederation were a slow and admittedly rocky start to the country, and many want this next document to cement their identity as a successful force. In desperate need of reform, delegates from 12 of the 13 states gather together in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The full extent of the country is finally dawning on people, who realize that such a large body of citizens will have clashes and issues. Many also realize that a central government is crucial to the success of a nation, but are worried that the new government will overpower the states.

Read More
1221 Words | 5 Pages

When hearing George Washington’s Farewell Address for the first time it is easy to understand it is well written and the substance is things he really felt is important. However once the time is spent relating his speech to todays times and problems the magnitude of his word is really understood. Almost 250 years later and 44 more presidents, George Washington’s thoughts still apply perfectly to the current state of the U.S. So much has change sense he gave this address but unity, Stoping the divide of political parties, morality, and avoiding entangling

Read More
169 Words | 1 Pages

In his farewell address to the people of the United States, President George Washington implored the nation to avoid attachments and entanglements in the affairs of other countries. By that, he meant that he didn't want the US to get involved in wars between foreign powers. Choosing between the wars listed are difficult as all of them involved foreign entanglements. But with World I, I will argue does hold to principle of Washington’s address. At the end of the war, the United States did not have an interest in joining the League of Nations, instead we returned to a policy of isolation and non-involvement in world affairs.

Read More
793 Words | 4 Pages

Our Foreign Policy has been shaped and molded by many important figures through history. Firstly, George Washington’s farewell address provided an outline for how we choose alliances with other countries. Then, the Louisiana Purchase helped to make huge steps towards a better country. Lastly the Monroe Doctrine, created by James Monroe, raised nationalism in the country and helped to isolate the country from foreign conflicts. The first few Presidents of the United States influenced the future of American foreign policy to become an isolated country that focused on its own issues.

Read More
676 Words | 3 Pages

That said, he had a powerful reason to make these suggestions: he wanted to maintain unity. If George Washington was alive today, his

Read More
193 Words | 1 Pages

As the initial president of the United States of America, George Washington was a model, set for future presidents that took oath. He acquired many decisions made within the Constitution as well as under it, such as designating Thomas Jefferson to Secretary of State to initiating relations with our current ally Great Britain with the signing of Jay’s Treaty. However, one of the most significant actions perpetrated was the ruling of a limit of a two year term presidency, which was later manufactured into the 22nd amendment. However, Franklin D. Roosevelt, until this day; is the only president who has served more than two terms in which he won an unprecedented fourth term. Washington’s decision has affected presidential diplomacy and applies

Read More
1245 Words | 5 Pages

(Bomboy 2015). On December 14, 1799 George Washington died at the age of 67 leaving behind a legacy of strength, integrity and national purpose. This essay will discuss the warnings in Washington’s farewell address and contemporary government’s disregard to those warnings. Party Factions Washington addressed the issue of protecting the Union as it is fundamental to the nationality of America.

Read More
784 Words | 4 Pages

They believed that this government could provide the stability and security against violent outrages. The foil of these people were the Antifederalist. The Antifederalists offered three objections: that the Congress had conspired under a “veil of mystery” to create a new form of government, that a strong national government would destroy states’ rights, and that the new system of government resembled and monarchy and that violated the principle of liberty that guided the American Revolution. They also pointed that the voters will not directly

Read More
757 Words | 4 Pages

President Washington gave advice for the future of the U.S. in his farewell address. Washington decided not to run for a third term, but he set a precedent by giving a farewell address with valuable advice for the U.S. to take into consideration. He also had a concern for the U.S. that would last until the end of his life, causing him to give this particular advice. Washington had to deal with the conflict between Hamilton and Jefferson, the Whiskey Rebellion, and the clash between France and Great Britain. Staying united, following the Constitution, and staying neutral is the advice that Washington gave based on his experiences because he loved and worried about the future of the U.S. Fearing that the newly formed U.S. government would divide, Washington first gave advice on the U.S. staying united.

Read More
153 Words | 1 Pages

Many of our nation's crisis’ could have been solved if we had listened to Washington's Farewell Address. For example, maybe if we had stayed neutral, we wouldn’t have had as many wars. He also warned against political parties. And for good reason, some people only vote their party's candidate because of their party! Those people don’t research or look at who is the “better” candidate, they just choose the republican(or democratic)!

Read More
1033 Words | 5 Pages

Washington’s Farewell Analysis Vanessa Bates Liberty University Online (GOVT 200-S02) Instructor: Sarah Barber November 22, 2015 The President George Washington’s Farewell Address is a letter written behalf of the president at that time George Washington for the American people. The Farewell Address is one of the most important writings in American history but was written by Alexander Hamilton.

Read More
936 Words | 4 Pages

Under Washington’s watch, the early stages of a Republican vs. Democratic government standstill took place. At one point, even the “Founders at Philadelphia had not envisioned the existence of permanent political parties”; later, this problem emerges to the extent that “organized opposition to government seemed tainted by disloyalty” (Kennedy, 186). Since Washington’s presidency, there has not been an independent President and many people involved in the government are unable to put

Read More
1107 Words | 5 Pages

In the midst of the formation of the United States, the founding fathers made it a priority not to turn back to another monarchy and feared the strong central government that once ruled over them for so long. Having fought hard for freedom in the Revolutionary War, Americans were ready for a more decentralized government to put power in the hands of the people, yet provide just enough national presence to protect the new nation. This

Read More
1040 Words | 5 Pages

Historical Background Before Mr. Washington was even elected into presidency, he was a politician and a soldier. However,

Read More

More about George Washington's Farewell Address: A Strong Central Government

Related Topics

Open Document