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George Washington's Farewell Address Essay

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George Washington set standards for a new nation growing up around him. He made his final political testament to the American people, commonly known as, “ The Farewell Address.” Washington drafted this message in September 1796 along with his Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. His objective was to warn his country of several issues such as sectionalism, political factions, and foreign policy, as well as many other topics. He focused mainly on foreign policy in order to protect his stance and recent proclamation on neutrality in the United States.
In 1796, George Washington drafted his farewell address several months before the end of his second term. Although this letter was written before the end of his 1st term, it was not official …show more content…

He speaks of the dangers of permanent international partnerships. Previous to his letter to America, this issue controlled national politics during the French Revolutionary War. The Jeffersonian Republicans wanted to link with France, while the Federalists wanted to align with Great Britain. George dodged this disagreement by delivering the Proclamation of Neutrality. This formal announcement was put in place to declare America’s neutral state in regards to the conflict between Great Britain and France. Although he is a supporter of staying neutral in foreign affairs, he does believe in the idea of good faith and justice towards all nations. “Taking care always to keep ourselves by suitable establishments on a respectable defensive posture, we may safely trust to temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies.” (Agel 1997) He states that these connections will only dilute the government’s judgment in its foreign policy. These relationships will draw the U.S into wars that have nothing to do with the safety and prosperity of America. Our isolated position in the world is something that remains very important. He asks the American public to take advantage of this perfect placement for unity among the nation. It makes no sense to engage in wars that are on the opposite side of the Atlantic Ocean. Temporary alliances during periods of …show more content…

The actions taken by his successors were directly influenced by their disregard or adherence to the warnings Washington stated in his farewell address. Immediately following Washington’s resignation, the election of 1796 declared its first president of political party, John Adams, a Federalist. The Federalist Party was widely supported by Alexander Hamilton and future president James Madison. Both co-wrote “The Federalist” and were the first to organize political factions in opposition to Washington’s wishes. Second President John Adams was heavily involved with foreign affairs, being most remembered for the XYZ Affair, settling relations with France. While in office, Adams’ executive power was questioned by his vice president, Thomas Jefferson, a member of a separate political party. Although Jefferson greatly supported George Washington’s beliefs, paraphrasing in his inaugural address following Adam’s presidency that “first principle of American foreign policy as being ‘Peace, commerce, an honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.’” (Faragher, et al. 2006), the divide he created as a vice president of a different political party proved Washington to be correct concerning the repercussions of political factions. The importance of Washington’s ideals was proven immediately following his

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Towards the end of the 17th century US relations with foreign nations such as France and GBR depleted to the cries of war. Luckily Mr. Adams considered the US’s condition financially and never asked congress to declare war, especially with France. Though during the election of 1800, Adams became no match for the Republican Party as the Federalists, represented by John Adams during the election, stabbed Adams in the back as Alexander Hamilton, a prominent High-Federalist always creating problems for Adams, cried to many southern voters of the Presidents inability to hold office. In fact, Hamilton composed a pamphlet “Letter Concerning the Public Conduct and Character of John Adams.”

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This is exactly the opposite of what President Roosevelt says during a press conference in 1940 (Document H). He uses an analogy and compares Britain to a neighbor with a burning home and the US has a hose they can use to put out the fire. At the same time he speaks about the US foreign policy in terms of using the hose, he tries to make the current policy look ridiculous and then speaks about another way to help the neighbor by lending the hose and getting it back later. He is speaking about the Lend Lease Act and believes that the US should do more to help its allies in need in Europe by lending them money and supplies and have it returned later. He is attempting to get away from old US foreign policy which was hurting the economies

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A lot of the problems and concerns he was dealing with during his presidency are still relevant in todays day in age. George Washington’s Farewell Address does a great job highlighting the problems he fears will affect the future of our country. The four areas of his concern were unity, not devising into stronger separate political parties,

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Lastly, James MAdison helped write the Farewell Address, therefore it would only make sense that he followed his work. Thomas Jefferson stayed the furthest away from Washington 's Farewell Address. His first foreign episode included a war with the babur Pirates, despite

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(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.

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Washington’s advice was that “taking care always to keep ourselves by suitable establishments on a respectable defensive posture, we may safely trust to temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies.” And he declared, “The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as possible” (“Washington’s Farewell Address,” in Documents of American History, edited by Henry Steele Commager [New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1948], 174, emphasis in original). The latter statement, incidentally, was the motto Richard Cobden, the greatest libertarian thinker on international relations, placed on the title page of his first published

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I agree with Washington’s view on permanent treaties with other countries. I agree, because times change. For example, the early United States had a treaty with the king of France, but when the french revolution happened, and the british attacked the french, they(the french) came to us and asked for

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George Washington, being the first president, felt that in order to maintain structure in the government after he was no longer in charge, had to leave a letter to his country’s citizens. Washington began his address by giving thanks and appreciation to everyone for giving him the opportunity to lead their country and explaining his reasoning for declining another term. Along with these reasons, he pointed out some of the flaws of his presidency, admitting to the public that he was not a perfect American leader and that he is not a stencil into which all other presidents should be carved out of. While he stated that he was not impeccable, Washington did continue on in his address to offer some advice to the future of America. Washington

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In George Washington’s farewell address, he intended to warn the country to avoid divisions based on political parties and geography. (Doc. 1) In the Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States, Jefferson stated “If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reasons is left free to combat it. ”(Doc.4) Jefferson is practically begging the different political parties to work together. He pleaded to the nation that they needed to work together.

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Washington presents a patriotic tone throughout the speech to identify with the millions of Americans in the recently independent United States of America. In his introduction, Washington says the main pillars of their existence can be drawn back to “tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity.” These optimistic words amplify that Americans shall

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George Washington’s Presidency George Washington, as every American has known since around pre-school, was our nation’s first president. But what if we didn’t have a president? Maybe a king, or even a theocracy? Originally, George Washington thought that maybe a constitution may not work, and a ruling elite may even work better (William P. Kladky). The Constitutional Convention had many long and heated debates on how to best create their government to give equal power to all branches of the government, and a board of three was one of the contenders (William P. Kladky).

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In 1796, President George Washington delivered one of the most famous and the very first Presidential farewell address from Congress Hall in Philadelphia. In his farewell address, President Washington advised American citizens to view themselves as a cohesive unit and avoid political parties and issued a special warning to be wary of attachments and entanglements with other nations. (ourdocuments.gov) Washington feared that local factors might be the source of some differences that would destroy the nation. His defense of national unity lay not only in abstract ideals, but also in the pragmatic reality. (U.S.history.org)

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Washington knew a strong Constitution had to be in place, which is why he was responsible for the Constitutional Convention. The effects of his inaugural address and presidency really mattered, given he was the first of our many presidents. George Washington proved he truly cared for the American people and the country. He took charge and changed what had to be done, because his speech altered the government and society as we know it today; our Constitution, our executive and judicial branches, and our Supreme Court. While he did emphasize the need for a Constitution, he was not the only one responsible for it’s making.

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After eight years, our first commander and chief was stepping down. George Washington was ready to retire from politics. Before he said goodbye, he had some advice for the nation. He wrote his Farewell Address in 1796. In the Address offered advice, while also warning citizens of the importance of preserving their country.

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The friendship Washington establishes with the people of America serve as a reason for the audience to listen to his speech and take note of the topics and ideas he presents. In addition to the plain folks appeal, Washington also repeats words and phrases to give a larger effect to his address. When advising his audience on the importance of a strong, unified government, Washington claims such a government is a necessity to keep the American values of “your real independence,” “your tranquility at home,” “your peace abroad,” “your safety,” “your prosperity,” and “that very liberty which you so highly prize” (3).

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