Washington urged the new nation to stay away from foreign entanglements. The new nation had a very small military and could not stand up to a European-style war. Washington was aware of the new war that was quickly consuming Britain and France at the time, and he wanted the new nation to not play a part in this conflict.

Washington also urged the new nation to stay away from factionalism. This meant both regionalism and political parties. Already in Washington's time the North and South were becoming quite different. Washington reminded Americans that the freedom that they currently enjoyed came from their cooperation. Washington, himself a slave owner, wanted the nation's citizens to pledge their loyalty to the nation above their localities. Washington's admonishment to avoid political factions came from the growing rift between Hamilton and Jefferson. Both men were the fathers of political parties. Each saw the other as bad for the nation. Washington believed that factionalism would split the nation. In Washington's lifetime, unhealthy political discourse would divide the Democrat-Republicans and the Federalists.

Washington also urged the new nation to change the government if they saw fit, but only through constitutional amendments. He advised respecting the checks and balances of the new government. It was during Washington's term that the Whiskey Rebellion occurred; its failure proved that the new national government could not be changed through revolt, but rather through legal means.

Washington's Farewell Address was meant to advise the new nation on how to proceed after he left. While the nation avoided new revolts, it did become involved in foreign wars and factionalism with mixed results.