Essay on Washington's Farewell Address

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.

In this chapter, Joseph J. Ellis tells us about how George Washington’s retirement for being the president. He thinks that it was a good thing because there was no sign of failure and everything got stronger and they were ready for what the future held for the nation. George Washington knew that, from his powerful influence, the country was going to be strong because of the two years he served as president. Joseph J. Ellis also looks at how George Washington’s bad health and his hate towards the press criticism influenced the decision. Then, in the end, the chapter concludes with Washington’s Farewell Address and the discussion of the major points in the text.

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.

George Washington played a large role in America’s history by being the first president of the United States of America for two terms starting in 1789 to September 19,1786, however it was not technically over until 1787. He changed the ways in which the Americans lived through events such as the ratification of the Constitution, moving the capitol, and the signing of the Jay treaty, but especially through his farewell address. Toward the end of his presidency in 1796, George Washington's farewell address managed to lead America into a path of patriotic union with one another and neutrality with other countries for trade and less violence. Washington wrote this 32 paged address to inform the citizens of his leave from presidency and to ultimately get them to think about who they want as head of Congress in America after he is gone. Although Washington wrote this address himself, his ideas were shared with Alexander Hamilton before they were actually published (ourdouments.org) making it a team effort, one of many reasons to prove the fact that the most successful events in America were able to happen because of the unity of its people. The document clearly states the end of his presidency but the beginning of a whole new chapter for America.

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.

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.

To help us maintain the efficiency of our government, George Washington gave our country words of advice in his Farewell address. His Farewell address was in 1796, on the eve of September 19. He mentioned that he would not be running in the next election and that his time as president was up. Washington, with the country’s welfare in mind, wanted the nation to obtain and maintain felicity. He had decided that he would give the future president and the people of the nation advice based on his experiences as president. His words of wisdom consists of telling us to stay united, follow the constitution, and to stay neutral.

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:

Washington had also been heard to say that “to only stay away from any political parties such as the Republicans and Democrats, along with the rest of the other parties after the second president Jefferson had his own party of Jeffersonian but they didn’t follow what he asked for or about almost immediately.

Many people often think about who was the one president who really did our country justice. Who was the one president who, out of all forty-two, beats everyone and takes the gold for best president in the history of American presidents? Not everyone who agrees with these thoughts is going to agree with the answer each other gives. However, I bet many of those same people would argue that George Washington was the best president out of all of them.

Washington uses similes, repetition, and metaphors in his speech. An example of a simile would be “urge me, on an occasion like the present.” In this quote Washington is comparing this occasion to the present. An example of repetition would be when Washington says, “of your safety; of your prosperity.” An example of a metaphor would be, “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 very liberty which you so highly prize.” This quote is comparing independence to liberty. Washington also uses certain phrases to create a patriotic tone. An example of this would be “The name of American...must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism.”

Washington farewell address was written by one of our founding fathers, George Washington.This article contained a lot of problems that our country need help with. For example the issue on government,foreign affairs,national debt and political party.Although time has change from 200 years ago,I feel like this article should be used more in our modern government. By changing a couple of words in the article but still keeping the meaning that George Washington was trying to say, I think this country's dilemmas would not be as trouble as they are now.

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

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.

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