...George Washington was one of our founding fathers and arguably one of the most influential Presidents we have ever had. He accomplished many beneficial things while he was in office, such as helping find a way to get rid of debt, helping our nation keep peace throughout both of his terms, and showing his power by stopping rebellions. All of these were amazing for this nation, but his farewell address was not official law, and we should not have to adhere to his suggestions and obey them. In his farewell letter, George Washington wrote, “It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.” It may have been key into staying out of war and keeping peace, but just look at World War II. If we...
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...Washington’s Farewell Address George Washington’s farewell address is essentially a list of three warnings that he has for our country. He suggests to have a unified government,to stay neutral between other countries, and to have separation of powers. Washington informs us that he will not be running for a third term and is stepping down from office.In all his power, he tried to stabilize the economy and improve the country Although he made the decision to leave, in all his power, he tried to stabilize the economy and improve the country and made it very clear that he still cares for our well being but must not continue being our leader. Washington saw new problems unfold in the nation and he sensed dangers for the new country. He addressed our problems that were occuring back then and the same ones that are still growing today....
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...George Washington was chosen as first president after the Revolutionary War, by the electoral college. He served as president for eight years, two terms, and set many precedents for the presidents that served after him. Including, but not limited to, having a cabinet of advisers, only running for two terms, and personally responding to rebellions. By the end of his second term he was more than ready to retire. He was concerned about the country so he wrote a farewell address including his advice to later presidents and citizens. Based on the experiences he had as president, he told us not to form political parties, therefore disunifying the country; not to veer off of the constitution; and not to be bias to any country during a foreign war, to stay neutral....
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...George Washington was elected as the first president of the United States in 1789. This former president was deemed as an inspirational leader. The news of his farewell address shocked many and quickly spread throughout America. In the past 220 years, our nation has been affected by the claims and suggestions made by Washington. Our unity, political parties and alliances were foreseen in his famous farewell address. Unity in America has been famously celebrated on Independence Day. However, the nation is still divided. Based on a survey conducted by NY Times, a large amount of people considered themselves as patriotic. There was also a large amount who believed that America was not a united nation. George Washington believed that people needed to have common interests and ideas to be united. Since America is a divided nation with many different ideas and interests, it supports Washington’s claim that it can’t be united. The North and South caused a big conflict throughout the world. Their difference in beliefs about slavery caused them to drift apart. In Washington’s farewell address, he claims that the two continents will become united and will benefit from...
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...Abstract Though some of the greatest political minds of the time, including Alexander Hamilton and John Jay assisted in the effort, the final draft was Washington’s. Without question the address portrayed his ideals and principals. 1) The Benefits of Unity Washington encourages the American people to stay united “That your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual” His desire was for them to protect the sanctity of the Constitution, and to insure that it is administered with wisdom and virtue. He addresses the unity of government with the people. Washington states that unity is what will hold America together and in fact is the very foundation that supports it. "The unity of government...is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence...of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize." The American people should never take for granted the “Collective and individual happiness” and they should watch for, and take every measure at their disposal to protect these liberties from threats both from within, and outside the United States. Washington encouraged a strong infrastructure for the Union “Here every portion of our country finds the most commanding motives for carefully guarding and preserving the union of the whole” Washington foresaw the importance of a common government and unified laws, that would encourage commercial enterprise and trade between the different geographical...
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...George Washington’s Farewell address is a letter of resignation written to the American people stating his advice and warnings of long term safety and happiness. Washington’s letter was released to the public in September 1796 but “drafted in 1792, with the help of James Madison,” as he prepared to retire to Mount Vernon following his first term. Wikipedia.com/Washington’s farewell address. Washington’s main concerns were unity of the states, upholding the constitution, foreign alliances, government spending, religion, morality and education. UNITY OF THE STATES. Washington begins his warnings that their independence, at home and abroad, safety, prosperity, and liberty all depend on the unity of states. That their union will come under attack by foreign and domestic enemies of America “as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed”, to be suspicious and look down upon anyone who seeks to abandon the union or weaken the Constitution, to look beyond any slight differences between them in religion and politics and place their independence and freedom above all else, “With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles”, and the dangers of sectionalism arguing that the true motives are to create distrust or rivalries between regions and people to gain power and take control of...
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...George Washington’s “Farewell Address” 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 country, and then goes on to give his thoughts and opinions of many matters in the government. Looking at the way he had led the country for the previous eight years, and the 45 he had given to serving it, should only make this country want to heed his warnings and advice. George Washington was a great man, with the country’s best interest at heart and mind, and only gave his honest opinion regarding many subjects such as the importance of national union and the constitution. He also spoke of the evils and dangers of political parties and debt, and stressed the importance of religion and morality in our government. In all honesty, no man ever left a more dignified farewell. Many people fought and died to make this country a nation; a whole....
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...2013 Washington’s Farewell Address No person in history has ever taken on such as strenuous a role as George Washington did as the first President of the newly formed United States of America. The country had just gained independence from the greatest power in the world at the time, but the biggest challenge would come ahead; the making of a country. This journey began with the creation of the Constitution and the first President of the United States taking office; George Washington. Although he did not willingly accept his duty, he ended up serving eight terms as the first President. In his farewell address to the nation, Washington warned the young country of what he believed to be the downfall for the nation. These warnings included the exclusion of foreign affair, a way to conserve and prosper financially, and no political parties. Even though Washington was such a successful President, these warnings were not followed by any means, and even today America does offend every single one of these warnings, although not each one proving costly to the nation. Washington lived in a time where people gave their lives to be independent from a mother country. By experience, he knew that a country operates better when it is unaltered by other countries. In his farewell address, Washington says that it is understandable to have commercial relations with a country, but America should “have with them as little political connection as possible” (Farewell Address). Washington did not want...
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...Washington’s Farewell Address Analysis George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796) was a speech given to the public before his departure from office. He used this speech to voice his political philosophy before retiring. Today, Washington’s Farewell Address is known as one of the most important speeches in American History because of the advice he gave to the American people. Before stepping down as president of the United States, Washington wanted to highlight some major points that could become the downfall of the nation. The first major point he brings up is the importance of political parties and how the people should be wary of them. Washington stated that, “The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit...
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...Written in 1796, but never given orally, George Washington’s Farewell Address was a clear end to his two terms as President. In the speech, Washington’s main point is how the newly formed United States can achieve unity that would ensure a strong government. The areas identified by Washington include citizens working together, a no political party system and remaining neutral when dealing with foreign nations. Washington believed that when citizens pull together they achieve more. Probably best evidenced in how he selected people to fill positions in his administration. Rather than choosing his friends, Washington chose the most qualified individuals. Young statesmen such as Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton provided differing viewpoints eventually putting them at odds with each other and Washington. Yet, Washington was firm in his conviction that the differences in opinion can bring about consensus and compromise. He addressed this point...
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...The Federalist Era started with the election of George Washington in 1789 and ended with Thomas Jefferson’s election in 1801. This period in American history saw many important events as a new government and procedures to run it had to be established. Some of those important events included the adoption of the United States Constitution and the passage of the Bill of Rights, the election of George Washington as the first President of the United States, and the creation of two political parties knows as the Federalist and Anti-Federalists, or Democrat-Republicans. The two parties debated over everything but from the beginning, the Anti-Federalists opposed the initial ratification of the Constitution and after being ratified, its interpretation....
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...Brothers to each other and Fathers to the nation, James Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison led the United States to independence over a series of revolutionary events. Joseph Ellis’s Founding Brothers successfully brings to life the issues and personalities of this period in time and is able to characterize these figures beyond their distinguished names, but as characters in a dramatic and remarkable history. Ellis succinctly analyzes six major events in the late 18th century: the Burr-Hamilton duel, the Compromise of 1790, the issue of slavery, Washington’s Farewell Address, the Adams Administration, and the friendship between Adams and Madison. He is able to vividly...
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...New Republic Historical Fiction How would George Washington advise President Barack Obama? “Mr. President, your press conference regarding Ukraine will start in a hour.” informed Joseph Jones. “Thank you, Mr. Jones”, answered the President. “Anytime”, he said says as he leaves. The President paced the room. What was he going to say at the meeting? He still had no idea what he was going to do about Ukraine. He walked over to the wall of past presidents and looked at George Washington’s portrait. “If only you could come and give me advice about my situation.” All of a sudden, the cloudless, blue sky turned black and lightning struck. The front door of the White House flew open and a man in a trench coat came walking in. “Um, excuse me sir, but do you know where I can find the current president?” , says the strange man. The President straightened his tie and said, “I am he.” The strange man looked at him doubtfully. “I am here for a short time. I have no time for jokes. There is no way an African American like yourself could ever think of being President? Now step aside so I could go search for the President myself” The strange man started to walk by him. The President, surprised by such comment, stopped him in his tracks. “Who are you, exactly?” He asks trying to get a better view of his face. The strange man put his hood down to show his face. “I am no other than George Washington.” The President was at a loss for words. He attempted to speak...
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...In the book Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Government written by Joseph J. Ellis; Ellis talks about the time after the war and the people who were the most responsible for holding the United States together after the fact. Those people include Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, James Madison, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.The book is split up into six different parts where each Founder has a part and story while within these parts you can see the change of foundations of the Government overtime Chapter one, “The Duel”, focuses on the death of hamilton with Aaron Burr. The duel was is an example of how important it is to have commitment. According to Ellis, both of them were very smart and successful men who had connections...
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...George Washington and John Adams were the first two presidents of the United States. They played vital roles in creating the American Republic, and had it not been for them, our current American Republic would be very different or possibly even nonexistent. Yet, despite the hard work they put into our nation’s beginnings, they were also very different. Both men came from the same era, but could one be considered better than the other? George Washington, born on February 11, 1732, in Westmoreland Country, Virginia was our nation's first President. Washington and his ancestors were quite influential in Virginia “The patriarch of the family, John Washington, had come over from England in 1657 and established the Washingtons as respectable, if not...
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