Dangers Of George Washington's Farewell Address

An analysis of George Washington’s Farewell Address shows that there were three points he wanted to stress. The points being his decision not to be considered for a 3rd term, his advice to the country to stand united, and his advice to the future leaders of the country concerning foreign policy.

If the nation was not neutral in foreign affairs the country would become divided. In Washington’s Farewell Address, he warned the country about having political division because he believed that would also separate the country. George Washington’s contributions were attempts to keep the country unified and out of foreign wars. President Washington’s ideas such as establishing a cabinet and policies such as neutrality helped stabilize government.

George Washington, the first president of the United States, had written a very important historical speech and document towards the end of his time in office. He had written the Farewell address which focused on helping America understand the importance of preserving unity, acknowledging the rise of political parties forming, strengthening religion and morality, and he stated his position on American foreign policy. He addressed these ideas with strong tone and used incredible amount of dictions that strengthens his tone as well as representing his appeal to ethos to a strong degree. However, today’s society seemed to forget Washington’s position on foreign policy and has created a new form of the policy. But nonetheless as time grew,

George Washington also proclaimed the neutrality of the United States in all international conflicts. In my opinion, that’s a very important contribution to the success of the United States in the years to come. Not only did it help keep the United States safe from conflicts with other nations, but it also let every nation know that we aren’t here to make conflicts with them either. I believe, without that judgment on

“Washington’s Farewell Address” is a compelling and inspiring speech that lifts the spirits of Americans while George Washington rejects taking a third term as President of the United States. This speech was never spoken to an audience, however, the speech was published in the American Daily Advertiser newspaper. This speech was created by George Washington, but James Madison and Alexander Hamilton helped Washington edit the document. It took George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton 5 years to publish the speech. The speech was finally published in 1796.

When George Washington became the first president of the United States in 1789 the young republic faced many pressing issues. The state needed to build a sound economy, create a stable polotical system and preserve national independence. .

George Washington’s belief in singular national unity was not just an abstract ideal built without fundamental understanding. It was a pragmatic understanding erected on a clear unifying belief, that in order to maintain a nation to build a singular belief in country; it needed a singular belief in purpose. In his Address, Washington stated:

The main argument that is presented by Washington is that the United States should not fall into the evils of political parties and that the United States should not concern itself with foreign wars. Washington does not hide his argument is obvious for political parties as Washington says “In contemplating the causes which may disturb our Union, it occurs as matter of serious concern that any ground should have been furnished for characterizing parties by geographical discriminations, Northern and Southern, Atlantic and Western; whence designing men may endeavor to excite a belief that there is a real difference of local interests and views” (Washington). However, his second point is somewhat hidden as he does not say avoid foreign wars, but Washington does say “Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice” (Washington). By Washington saying “entangle our peace” it leads one to believe he is speaking of war. Also by saying “and prosperity in the toils of European ambition” Washington is saying why let our chance to be great rest in someone else’s hands other than ours.

The Farewell Address embodied Washington’s political principles and hopes for the United States, a newly developed nation, to grow strong and remain independent. He stressed the importance of national unity. Despite the confidence Washington had for his country to continue to thrive without his leadership, he felt obligated to forewarn the American people and future generations the greatest dangers, or threats, to the United States. Washington believed threats such as political parties, and associations with foreign alliances could weaken the nation. Today, it is believed that the Farewell Address is a prophetic warning for contemporary politics.

George Washington was known as the first president of The United States of America, commander of the Continental Army, president of the Constitutional Convention, and gentleman planter. Throughout his life he had faced various obstacles and achieved his goals until he became who he was today. George Washington’s goals during his lifetime, was to accomplish what needed to be done. George Washington was not entirely a person with a perfect plan for the future. He was a person who fought for his country and served as the leader for America. Instead of gaining more power after signing the peace treaty with the French, he resigned and wanted to develop the land after the war. His goal was to make sure that the land was stable to continue his development. Of course he wanted to ensure that the future of America is established which allowed him to create a system of government. As the first President, he established many forms of government that is even still being used till today. Through this system he would be achieving his goals on making sure that America is an independent, stable, and developed nation.

To not take George Washington’s advice and incorporate them into our actions would be foolish. The man served and fought for this country for years, and always had the best purpose in mind. He confessed that he probably made mistakes and decisions that weren’t the greatest, but swore that he always tried and had the best intentions. He gave a lot of heartfelt advice in his farewell address, and clearly gave his views on a unified nation and constitution. He also warned the country about political parties and debt, and talked about religion being the root of our government. George Washington was a respected, outstanding man, and was devoted to the upbringing of this nation. His farewell address is exceptional, and really

Have you ever heard about George Washington? George Washington, the first president of America, was born in 1732, and served as Commander in the Continental Army as well during the American Revolution. He dedicated his whole life for establish a nation. When George Washington decided to step down at the end of his second term in 1796, he published letter across the country to let nation see his last words. Formal and intimate level of language, homey metaphors, directive active verbs, repetitions, and sentence length combine to create Washington’s concern for the people of America about preserving the liberties necessary for the government to survive, and his position in the government.

After the revolutionary war George Washington set a guide line for our national security. First he wanted to “maintain international independence” then “focus on economic growth” (Donohue 1589). He felt like that it was important to support our countries economy but not at the price of sacrificing our security. Under George Washington direction the Constitutional Convention wanted a national government that could keep the country safe from foreign attacks and keep the individual states unified. They created a constitution that “strengthened the national government’s control over the military and foreign affairs, as well as over taxation and commerce” (Donohue 1588, 1591).

An Analysis of George Washington's Farewell Address Carmen Williams Liberty University: GOVT 200-B102 Professor Edward Soto George Washington's Farewell Address is one of the most eloquent pieces of literature delivered. It's content and intent constitutes that of a man who was not only prophetic, but a sage. His Farewell Address was printed in the Philadelphia American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796. The Address was not merely a statement of resignation, but an open letter of advisement exemplifying unity, in addition to warning the American people about their long-term freedom and pursuit of happiness. There are twenty key points in Washington's Farewell Address; however the focus will be on five of these: (1) The Preservation of the Union. (2) The Danger of Factions. (3) Religion and Morality. (4) Preservation of Public Credit. (5) America's Role in the World. The Preservation of the Union. Washington's persistent theme throughout the Farewell Address is the preservation of the Union as the crux of American Nationhood. In paragraph 9 Washington notes the Union, "is the 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 very liberty which you so highly prize." Washington warns of those, internally and externally, who would covertly work to destroy the foundation on which America was built. In paragraph 10, Washington accentuates the far greater significance

One of Washington’s major points is staying out of Europe’s wars and conflicts. Washington believed that we should not follow through with the strong isolationistic beliefs up to the first war. It only occurred during the World War II that we had gotten away from it. To avoid partisanship, Washington didn’t even want the political parties to follow us at all; obviously we did indeed have two strong political parties, which neither completed its responsibilities and had the encouragement of determination to solve the serious issues that shouldn’t have been about the political parties that most had belong or involved in that don’t actually know anything or about the politics of what both parties were doing.