Author: George Washington
Title: Farewell Address
a. Identify the document--what type of document is it (i.e. a letter, a newspaper article, etc.) and what year was it created?
This document is a piece of George Washington’s final public address/speech as president in 1776.
b. What do we know about the author/creator?
Washington was a military commander for England. Washington also led the then rebel forces against England fighting for Americans independence. Washington also served as the first
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What specific evidence and examples does the author use to support this argument? Do you think they are convincing?
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.
As far as convincing goes, I believe Washington was vary convincing. As he showed what he believed would be the worst evils the United States would face.
Washington's reevaluation of the situation after the failure in New York was the strategy he should have adopted from the start of the war. His knowledge of war fighting was learned by direct observation and experience. In this, he realized to win he must more that all else, preserve the integrity of the Continental Army. "Washington concluded that if the army could be kept alive, the Revolutionary cause would remain alive." (Weigley, p. 12) In gaining this insight, Washington set about on a new course to victory in that the "Art of War" is demonstrated.
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.
With a new nation facing overwhelming difficulties, George Washington faced the challenges of being the first president to run, shape, and build the foundations of the newly formed United States. Washington came into office with the country in heavy debt, and an empty treasury. With the issues President George Washington was facing, he proved to be a paragon leader.
Another focus Washington included in his farewell address was his strong support for religion and morality. Washington touched upon explaining how morality cannot be achieved without religion thus proclaiming the importance of religion. He proceeded to talk about how morality was the key to electing popular candidates running for government and if religion is not emphasized in the union, morality is hard to attain which corrupts government. Another main focus Washington promoted was how political parties should be repressed. He felt that the political parties tend to get out of hand in competing with each other and thus cause distractions in the government. The concern he showed was strongly toward the Republican-Democratic Party and the Federalist Party.
There are many more reasons to why George Washington is the best president to ever come into office, one being the fact that without him, we would not have won the Revolutionary war. His amazing leadership skills kept the forces together and when the continental congress didn't pay the troops,
“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.
After his presidency, George Washington has explains many possible dangers and concerns he has for the for the up and coming nation that he spent 8 years so heavily devoted toward. There were many issues during Washington’s presidency so he writes a farewell address discussing the issues and giving Americans some wise words of advice. Some of the issues that Washington brings up include staying out of other nation’s issues and worry about ourselves, to not divide our nation by forming different political parties with different ideas, and pay off the newly acquired national debt. He explains all of these issues and more in his farewell address. He also says that if the constitution needs to be changed it should be done so legally and not by rebellion which Americans tend to do.
George Washington’s Presidential Farewell Address consisted of three critical elements that were considered vital for the functional survival of the country that had just won its independence. On September 19, 1796, President Washington advised the nation to stand together as one united country, warned the people about the dangers of political parties and he established foundational reasons for the country to not become over involved in foreign affairs. These three principles set forth an understanding that was monumental for American society. Their level of importance serves as a near perfect reflection to both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution as the building blocks to a great nation. Each of these three principles, even though they were not written as laws, went on as a tradition for this nation; each being clung to with the same level of importance and integrity as the Founders sought in the aforestated documents of freedom.
This document all began with the 5th president of the United States, James Madison. He tried to come up with some ideas to prevent Spain from repossessing the Western Hemisphere. So he
In Felix Gilbert’s book, To the Farewell Address, Gilbert analyzes the historical context surrounding George Washington’s speech and the implications the circumstances surrounding the speech and the ideological struggle of American power politics of the time. Most notably how the conflicting ideologies epitomized the times and the hand Alexander Hamilton played in the drafting of the speech.
Many people know George Washington as the first president of the United States but most don’t know the real George Washington aside from that. George was born into a family that consisted of a mother, a father and his nine other siblings. When Washington was 11 years old his father died and was put in the care of his half brother Lawrence.
George Washington wrote a farewell speech in 1796, marking the retirement of his leadership of the United States of America. He published his goodbye, titled his “Farewell Address,” in many papers. The long, revised copy of his speech, originally intended to be read at the end of his first term, tells of how he wanted to retire four years previous, but how he had been begged to stay on. He states that he never considered himself to be worthy of leading the
The occasion and motive of this document continues to impact us today as we continue to live under an established government and civil laws. For me, the document revealed fundamentals our society that continue to hold true, in theory. The document showcased their continued deep faith and belief in God and His guidance; continued loyalty to his country and his superiors; mutual regard for each other as equals under God; and the intent of establishing just and equal laws with a democratic government in the eyes of the people, which became the first recorded government in history.
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.