TD 5 : Washington's Farewell Address 1796

Washington became America's first president. George Washington's Farewell Address announced that he would not seek a third term as president. --> warning against the rise of political parties and sectionalism as a threat to national unity. • at the time Federalists and Republicans were divided between being pro-British and pro-French. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton supported England while the Jeffersonians, led by Thomas Jefferson, supported the French (• Washington's primary purpose was to avoid a war the country could not afford, and he hoped England would triumph over France.) In the area of foreign affairs, Washington called for America "to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world." Although the ideas expressed were Washington's, Alexander Hamilton wrote a large part of the address. - needed to be free of foreign entanglements to make decisions based upon the needs of their constituents rather than those of their European allies

The second warning was to avoid foreign entanglements. : foreign policy For the United States to become the indomitable power he envisioned, it would have to avoid entanglement in European affairs and forge its own path. Washington's Address, imbued with a desire for America to isolate itself from foreign entanglements (complicated relationship with another person or country), was rooted in a yearning to gain independence from Europe. in order to sustain national unity, the United States needed to stay out of foreign affairs. This isolationist policy was not philosophical, but practical. As proven by the Proclamation of Neutrality (1793), Washington knew that the United States was not strong enough to survive another war.

Advisory, rhetorical style but not oral , very literally. Latinate style. Washington's speech making in the rhetorical milieu of the eighteenth century.The purpose is to demonstrate Washington's adeptness in organizing a speech for effect and in polishing its language for elegance. Neither of these purposes have been demonstrated heretofore.

That time jealousy means vigilance

Dangerous incurred by Foreign policy to avoid foreign entanglements. : foreign policy

Washington recommended as the great rule of conduct that the United States primarily pursue commercial relations with other nations and have with them "as little political connection as possible," consistent with its treaty obligations. Washington did not call for America to withdraw from the world: he warned of *political connections and permanent alliances.*Washington recommended that the nation pursue a long-term course of placing itself in a position to defy external threats, defend its own neutrality, and, eventually, choose peace or war as its own "interest, guided by justice, shall Counsel. --> ISOLATIONISM - DON'T WANT FOREIGN POLICIES

Dangerous people, violent, irrational

On the frontier, the Indians had been defeated, the western lands opened to settlement, and the Whiskey rebels suppressed.

Before he retired, Washington gave a farewell address (speech). In it he Warned against political parties - he thought they caused arguments Urged the nation to remain neutral and not become involved in foreign alliances. Warned against a powerful military.

Alexander Hamilton led the Federalists. / Northern merchants and manufacturers became Federalists. Thomas Jefferson led the Democratic-Republicans. Southern farmers and workers became Democratic-Republicans

President Washington believed that America was too young to involve itself in a European war America politicians remained neutral in European affairs from 1793 to 1898

Washington warned against the growth of "factions" and political parties He warned against growing sectional tensions between the North and South He restated his desire for neutrality by warning against entangling alliances