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Summary Of George Washington's Farewell Address

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After forty- five years of serving as the nation’s first president, George Washington found that it was finally time to end his presidency and, therefore, decline entering into a third term. Nevertheless, because of his great and obvious love for his country, he didn’t want to leave the American people without guidance. In George Washington’s “Farewell Address” he imparts some final words of wisdom unto the American people. Within his letter, he expressed his gratitude and love for his country and his people as well as set fourth several principles which he believed would preserve the great nation; these principles include: protecting the union and disregarding parties, maintaining religion, and cultivating healthy relationships with foreign nations. “The unity of government, which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that …show more content…

He went on to tell that since the nation had already formed engagement with foreign nations, they should only be fulfilled with “perfect faith” (Washington, 1796). This is quite unlike today, however, where we see the United States continuously getting involved with foreign nations like the Middle East. George Washington even went as far as to describe foreign intrigue as a “mischief.” In America’s government today it’s extremely common to see us getting involved with foreign nations without considering the consequences. “By weakening reverence for one’s own nation, parties give “to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens . . . facility to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country without odium, sometimes even with popularity” (Arthur Milikh, National

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The precedents that Washington set were the greatest of all, but the best examples he mentioned were critical to America. Washington was the first president of the United States. He had served two terms, and warned future presidents not to run for a third term. He believed it would make citizens believe that the government is in power; but truly, the states and people are in control. Based on George Washington’s observations, he warned the people to stay united, stay neutral, and follow the constitution, in order to keep the U.S. stable.

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John Adams was the second President of the United States. In George Washington’s Farewell Address, he stated numerous warnings. I believe that in his presidency, Adams did not heed all of Washington’s warnings. One reason that I believe Adams did not heed the warnings Washington issued is because he was part of a political party.

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Introduction In his Farewell Address, delivered on September 19, 1796, Washington articulates a position of non-entanglement in foreign affairs. “It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world” (Washington) As the young nation recovered from its war of independence and worked to secure its own internal cohesion, Washington did not believe that the states could withstand another war, which foreign entanglements would necessarily provoke, given events in Europe in the 1790s, most notably, the French Revolution and its related foreign wars.

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Even to this day, Washington’s farewell address is still one of the most celebrated speeches in American history. Washington’s farewell address warned the country against “the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party.” Washington greatly encouraged the country to focus on education and morality, and cautioned the country against sectionalism within the nation, and warned about foreign alliances. This speech is still greatly remembered and referenced because George Washington nearly predicted the future of the country in his speech, however, it is apparently obvious that the nation ignored Washington’s warnings. Washington’s presidency lasted from April 30, 1789, to March 4, 1797.

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On April 30, 1789, George Washington took office as the First President of the United States with hopes of expanding upon the nation’s principles. He immediately assumed his responsibilities and built the nation to become the fantastic country it is today. At the end of his presidency, feelings of despondency and dejection filled the country, for humble Washington shaped the role and function as the leader of America. Based on his presidency alone, Washington influenced the lives of many, as all citizens looked up to him as an inspiration. Initially, he set precedents for future presidents to follow, keeping the nation civilized for years and years.

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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

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The United States foreign policy has been greatly influenced throughout history. George Washington’s farewell address layed out important guidelines in how we handle foreign alliances. For example, George Washington stated that we should not forge alliances with other countries. I

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Washington’s Farewell Address Analysis George Washington was an American politician and soldier who served as the first President of the United States. He was in office from April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797. Washington served two terms as president, which equaled a total of eight years. His eight years had its ups and downs, but in the end, he was very influential and a strong leader. Throughout his presidency, he made sure that the American people could exercise their rights and he was not intolerant when it came to hearing what his opposing side had to say.

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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.

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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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George Washington also acknowledge that he made mistakes himself and is far from a perfect individual but made clear to be open minded of criticism and corrections and to seek challenges by taking the easy routes in life. Washington’s Farewell Address is important part of our history and is taught up till this day to young American children in our schools and by Historians but few people understand the meaning and the importance behind the Farewell Letter. The Farewell Address the federal government, warnings against the party systems, the importance of religion and morality, warnings against forming a permanent foreign alliance, and a powerful military. George Washington has an overwhelming reputation by his military service, his position as our first president of the United States of America, and by leaving his position in office by leaving behind his Farewell Address to give present and future Americans insight on the history of our country and what it’s known for. It’s well encouraged to research what American history is about and how we can apply the Farewell Address into our life by living in peace, exercising our freedom of speech and choice or religions, along with respecting our governments and live in unity to achieve success.

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In order to effectively implement ethical political communication, people must combine ideas, tactics, and behaviors that support openness, truthfulness, decency, and equality in political discussion. There is a great deal of stress in the political environment now because both sides are always fighting and arguing a lot. In George Washington's Farewell Address, he cautions against the divisive influence of political factions, which were foreshadowing modern political parties. A quote from his Farewell Address that suggests this is "I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you most solemnly against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally" (Washington 13).

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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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