Preview

How Did George Washington's Farewell Address

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
527 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How Did George Washington's Farewell Address
George Washington is one of the true founding fathers of America. George Washington’s political comprehensions was what made him such an exceptional figure in the United States history. His overall intellect on politics and his perspicacious views allowed him to be able to develop fair ideologies that would help form the foundation of the United States of America. Through his actions and words he was able to shape our government. George Washington’s resignation of his military power exemplified his idea of what the United States of America should be come, while his farewell address to the United States citizens conveyed warnings about the future of the country.
Washington’s resignation from commission is something that many people didn’t know how to take, due to many wanting him to stay in a position of power. During his time as Commander of the continental party congress had granted powers to him that could be considered equal
…show more content…

There were several warning in his thirty-two page address, but several were pivotal to the success of the country. One of these warning he bestowed upon the people was that the United States stay away from long term alliances. Washington wanted America to stay neutral and not be involved with foreign affairs. Washington did not want America to be brought into foreign wars where it could be drained of resources and weaken the country because America was still being established. He also warned America about sectionalism. Washington did not want to see America to split up because it would be dangerous due to the conflicting ideas that would result. Due to this Washington urged a since of patriotism within America. Within his address he made it clear that national patriotism was important because through the joint effort of the country they had accomplished many different

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    How would the history of the United States be different? If presidents would’ve listened to George Washington’s farewell address. On September 19, 1796, George Washington gave his farewell address. John Adams was elected president after George Washington stepped down. Adams later did not listen to George Washington’s point about staying out of war.…

    • 1422 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It’s George Washington’s character, what he valued, and he is unarguably the best president to hold the United States in his best interest. It’s not just what he did for his country, but the reasoning behind it. He is rightfully known as the Cincinnatus of America (Cincinnatus was a Roman general who defeated his enemies and immediately gave up power instead of becoming king) because he put the United States before himself. This is shown in the fact that he could have served for life with great power, but chose not to. He wanted to see the United States develop correctly, and that could not be done with just one man ruling as king. These decisions show the mind set of a true patriot. At the end of his second term though, he revealed one of the most important documents in the United States. George Washington’s Farewell Address was written because he wanted to warn the people of the United States of various outcomes and what he envisioned the future should behold in its most basic form. The purpose for writing his Farewell Address is to remind the United States to moderate political parties, be suspicious of foreign influence, and be wary of false patriotism. He then explains his action by the principles he lays out throughout the address. He closes on the fact he is excited to join his fellow Americans as a private citizen in this newly founded free government that they have created together.…

    • 821 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In his address, Washington discussed about the foreign relations and the dangers of permanent alliances between the United States and the foreign nations, While Washington advocated for a policy of good faith and justice towards all nations, he urged Americans to avoid long-term friendly relations or rivalries with other countries, stating that attachments with other countries…

    • 831 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Washington believed his advice against alliances with other countries was a permanent consideration. He stated that in the future America should be ruled by good trust and righteousness, and not by alliances. America shouldn’t lean on alliances to make the country strong. Also, Washington proclaimed that the United States should treat all countries equally, and not be biased towards another country for any reason. For example, Washington thought that the United States did not owe France anything for allying with America during the American Revolution, so the Americans should not aid France if they were to go to war in the future.…

    • 697 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    When George Washington decided to step down from presidency at the end of his second term in 1796, he announced his farewell address for the people. During this time, Washington had done many significant things such as being a leader in the revolutionary war and being the first president of the United States. He set a path for the future presidents. This was one of the most important speeches of his and one of the most important speeches in the history of the U.S. He never gave the address as a speech, but it was published in newspapers across the country. In his speech he lectured his decision not to return for the third term and he reflected about the sense of national security and assurance that America was moving forward and There were…

    • 281 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Early in 1796 President George Washington decided that he didn’t want to run for a third term as the United States President. President George Washington started drafting his “Farewell Address “. The Address was drafted multiple times in part due to Alexander Hamilton’s suggestions. This address was hand written in crafted into a 32 page speech that warned Americans on issues such avoiding excessive political party spirit and geographical distinctions. In foreign affairs, he warned against long-term alliances with other nations. President George Washington’s Farewell address was printed in Philadelphia Pennsylvania In September of 1796. The Final manuscript of this speech can be…

    • 1035 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The first major theme Washington begins with is his retirement from office. He decides not to run for another term. Washington says, “Not unconscious in the outset of the inferiority of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has…

    • 693 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Second, Washington emphasized to the people that no area in the region should be seen as hostile, notwithstanding their differences. He knew that unity would make the country stronger. and more advantageous overall. Washington believed that maintaining our liberty required our solidarity. The sexy…

    • 668 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In Washington’s Farewell Address, he voiced his opinion about many things, including the economy, political parties, and foreign affairs. Washington advises us against forming political parties because he believes that they will destroy the nation.…

    • 207 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Personally, I believe that Washington's was a well-crafted speech that gave the nation a well thought out, personal, and convicting reason to follow and stay true to the Constitution. He covered many points of conflict in the States, such as foreign policy, emerging political parties, laws, and religion. I think that Washington's view of the people being able to change the laws to fit them, but only by constitutional amendments is a…

    • 417 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Washington being an astute observer, realized that being steadfast in the positions he expressed, the views of the time in which he lived would not allow him to achieve his goals. He realized he had to be flexible in the positions in which he took. Washington was a study in contradiction and a master of compromise. Although his actions were a reflection of the times in which he lived, his self-held beliefs in many cases did not reflect the times. An example of this would be that he owned slaves but was for the abolition of slavery. A year before his death, in a conversation with a friend remarked “I can foresee that nothing but the rooting out of slavery can perpetuate the existence of our union.” Another example would be rather than issuing an…

    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    As it came near the end of George Washington’s second term as president he prepared his well know Farewell Address. He delivered it handwritten to his cabinet on September 17, 1796. Washington wanting to retire after his first term, but was persuaded by people who he say “entitled to my confidence”. With that he went on and served a second term. In this Farewell Address that is now coming at the end of his second term, Washington is basically making known his retirement and offering sentiments which are the result of his reflections and observation.…

    • 1010 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Farewell Thesis

    • 460 Words
    • 2 Pages

    1. The core issue at stake in this chapter is the farewell address. Washington would be the head of the new government. Washington proved himself to be a capable even great president helping to shape the new government and lead the country through any crisis both foreign, and domestic. Washington did not believe in political parties. As the political parties started forming during his administration he didn't want American people to debate and resolve public issues. It was his fear of what these parties would do to the nation. This is what led Washington to the farewell address.…

    • 460 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    With George Washington’s departure from the presidency, the former president made sure to take advantage of his popularity to pass on an important message to his nation. Washington’s took this opportunity to state not only guidelines for which he believed the country should be run, but also the dangers that the republic could face. Washington’s first warning was the danger of allowing regional identities to triumph over the single unifying identity that all members of the Union should be under: American (6). To fortify this warning, Washington reminds his audience that they have “fought and triumphed together” and have created the nation through joint effort that should not be ruined by local interests (7). Later on in the farewell address, Washington draws reference to geographical alignments and warns against the dangers of parties. Washington believes that the “Spirit of Party”, albeit inseparable from human nature, can lead individuals to place their own advancements over the republic (17). Although Washington mentions parties can serve as a check on government, he states that an effort should be made to mitigate excess power of parties in elective governments to insure that men should seek election to progress their nation and not their own…

    • 337 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    George Washington delivered vital and practical advice to early America upon the end of his second term as President. George Washington 's farewell address of 1796 warned of seven dangers to avoid for a healthy and prosperous country, 1) The Importance of Unity, and The Danger of Sectionalism 2) The Authority of the Constitution, the Threat of Political Factions, and the Danger of Constitutional Amendments Designed to Weaken the Government 3) The Dangers of Political Parties 4) The Importance of the Constitution 's System of Checks and Balances, Separation of Powers, and Constitutional Amendments 5) Religion, Morality, and Education 6) The Importance of Credit, and the Sparing Use of Government Borrowing 7) Foreign Relations, the Dangers of Permanent Foreign Alliances, and Free Trade.(Washington 1-35) The three most important were The Dangers of Political Parties, The Importance of Credit, and the Sparing Use of…

    • 1327 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays