Washington Farewell Address
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Washington Farewell Address
Lakira West
GOVT200_D14
Prof. Michael Anthony
04/17/2023
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Washington Farewell Address
In 1796, as he stepped down as president, George Washington addressed the American people in his "Farewell Address." He offered counsel and direction on what he considered to be the nation's most important problems in this speech. One of the most important messages about democracy, citizenship, and the duties of the government in American history is largely recognized as having come from him. In this analysis, I will look at the important elements of the
"Farewell Address" and analyze current government, including whether the cautions and exhortations were heeded.
Washington's "Farewell Address" begins with a heartfelt expression of gratitude to the American people and their representatives for the honor they bestowed upon him as their President
(Avlon, 2017). He then goes on to emphasize the importance of unity and the danger of
political parties, which he believed would divide the nation and undermine the integrity of the government
(Pruitt, 2020). Washington warned that political parties would create "cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men" who would use their power for personal gain rather than the good of the nation.
Moreover, despite Washington's warning against political parties, they have become integral to American politics since his presidency
(Library of Congress, 2019). The two-party system dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties often engages in heated debates and
criticism of each other. However, despite their differences, both parties work together to create laws and policies that benefit the country
(Library of Congress, 2019). Although third-party candidates have run for office and even achieved some success, they have yet to be able to break the dominance of the two-party system. The role of political parties in American politics continues to be debated, with some calling for reforms to the system while others argue that it
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provides stability and a clear choice for voters
(Library of Congress, 2019). Regardless of the debates, political parties remain a significant part of American political culture.
Another major point in Washington's "Farewell Address" was his warning against foreign
entanglements
(Pruitt, 2020). He advised against permanent alliances with foreign nations and encouraged the United States to remain neutral in conflicts between other nations. Washington believed that involvement in foreign conflicts would weaken the United States and put the country's safety and prosperity at risk
(Pruitt, 2020). This is seen when he said, "It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world"
(Avlon, 2017).
Washington's warning about foreign entanglements has been followed to some extent. The United States has been involved in various foreign conflicts, such as World War II and the Vietnam War
(Library of Congress, 2019b). However, the country has also been involved in diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully, such as the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt
(Carter, 2018). The United States also maintains alliances with various countries
through organizations such as NATO.
Also another central theme of Washington's address was his emphasis on the importance of religion and morality in American society
(Schell, 2023). He believed that a strong moral foundation was necessary for a healthy democracy. For instance, he said, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion, and morality are indispensable supports"
(Avlon, 2017). Despite this warning, the role of religion in American society has become increasingly contentious, with debates over issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and the separation of church and state.
One of the most important items Washington felt was of utmost importance as he left office was the preservation of the Constitution and the rule of law. He believed the Constitution
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was the "palladium of the liberties of the United States" and warned against any attempts to undermine it
(Bobbitt, 2020). Washington also stressed the importance of maintaining a government that was accountable to the people and that respected individual rights and freedoms
(Pruitt, 2020). Washington's concerns about the Constitution and the rule of law have largely been followed, with the United States maintaining a government that upholds the Constitution and the rule of law. However, there have been instances where the government has been accused of violating individual rights and freedoms, such as the controversial Patriot Act passed in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
Finally, Washington emphasized the importance of education in American society
(Zeiger, 2023). He believed that education was essential to the success of the American experiment in democracy. He warned against any attempt to undermine education's importance or use it for political purposes
(Zeiger, 2023). In contemporary America, the issue of education is
still a crucial one. There is an ongoing debate about the role of education in American society and how best to ensure that all Americans have access to quality education.
In conclusion, George Washington's "Farewell Address" remains an important statement on democracy, citizenship, and the responsibilities of government in American history. Washington's warning against political parties and foreign entanglements and his emphasis on the importance of an independent judiciary and the preservation of the Constitution and individual rights continue to be relevant to contemporary government. While some of his warnings have yet to be thoroughly followed, the United States has largely maintained a strong government that upholds the Constitution and the rule of law. The legacy of Washington's advice
and guidance in his "Farewell Address" continues to influence American politics and society today.
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References
Avlon, J. P. (2017). Washington’s farewell : the founding father’s warning to future generations
.
Simon & Schuster.
Bobbitt, P. (2020). 12 The Constitutional Canon. Legal Canons
, 331–373. https://doi.org/10.18574/nyu/9780814709030.003.0015
Carter, J. (2018). Camp David Accords | Summary, History, & Facts. In Encyclopædia Britannica
. https://www.britannica.com/event/Camp-David-Accords
Library of Congress. (2019a). Formation of Political Parties - Creating the United States | Exhibitions - Library of Congress
. Loc.gov. https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/creating-the-
united-states/formation-of-political-parties.html
Library of Congress. (2019b). Overview | The Post War United States, 1945-1968 | U.S. History Primary Source Timeline | Classroom Materials at the Library of Congress | Library of Congress
. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-timeline/
post-war-united-states-1945-1968/overview/
Pruitt, S. (2020, February 10). George Washington Warned Against Political Infighting in His Farewell Address
. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/news/george-washington-
farewell-address-warnings
Schell, K. P. (2023). Religion and Morality: The Forgotten Lesson of George Washington’s Farewell Address
. Scholars Crossing. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/ljh/vol5/iss2/2/
Zeiger, H. (2023, February 20). Think Like George Washington
. American Purpose. https://www.americanpurpose.com/articles/think-like-george-washington/
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