What is the significance of Washington's Farewell Address?
President George Washington's farewell address is thought of as one of the most significant documents in American history. Today, it seems somewhat prophetic in retrospect. He had several main points that are still relevant to this day.
The first was a warning to avoid the formation of political parties or factions. Washington was concerned over the rise of the two nascent political parties forming in the government—the Democratic-Republicans and the Federalists. He saw the contests that would naturally occur between political parties as something that would ultimately weaken the government.
Washington warned against what he called entangling alliances with foreign nations. He believed in a strict policy of neutrality and interacting with other nations in good faith rather than under formalized permanent alliances. Washington feared that alliances with foreign powers could lead the country into wars that were not in its own interest. He also expressed concerns that such alliances could lead to the meddling of foreign powers in the politics of the United States.
He also praised the newly adopted Constitution stating that it is a great improvement over the original Articles of Confederation. He stated that this new document should be a guide for the nation as it continues forward and that the government can and should be adapted as need be. However, changes should occur through constitutional methods. He rejected the use of violence to achieve political ends, stating that the Constitution contains the mechanisms to prevent this if used responsibly.
There are a number of other topics that Washington discussed in his farewell address. These include keeping a balanced federal budget, maintaining the separation of powers in the government, and rejecting threats to a republican system of governance. All of these are significant topics that the United States still deals with and likely always will.
What reasons does George Washington give for creating the Farewell Address?
As Washington makes clear in the opening paragraph he's decided not to run for President in the forthcoming election. As he knows that many people will be somewhat surprised by this decision, he goes on to set out precisely what his reasons are for withdrawing from frontline politics.
Washington makes it clear that he served as President out of duty rather than inclination. In other words, he only served because he felt he had to, not because he wanted to. In assuming the awesome burden of responsibility that the presidency entailed Washington was sacrificing the years or retirement that he hoped would be his after his numerous military exploits on behalf of the nation. Washington had planned to resign from the presidency earlier in his term of office, but what he calls the "perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign nations" prevented him from doing so.
Washington sees what he regards as entanglements with other nations' affairs as being a potential source of danger for the new nation. The United States is just starting to develop as a peaceful, prosperous country, and too great an involvement in foreign affairs would, according to Washington, threaten that very peace and stability.
But there are not just external threats to the stability of the United States. Factionalism and excess party spirit also represent a clear and present danger to the integrity of the Republic. To be sure, the spirit of party politics cannot be completely extinguished, but it must always be kept under a watchful gaze to ensure that it doesn't turn from a flame into an all-consuming fire.
Here, as in the case of foreign affairs, Washington feels that he has some wisdom to impart to his fellow countrymen regarding the best way to keep the United States strong, prosperous, and peaceful. Hence the necessity of giving a farewell address to the country, which Washington hopes will inspire his successors to act wisely in the governance of the new nation.
Further Reading
What is significant about Washington's Farewell Address?
The most significant aspect of George Washington’s Farewell Address had to do with foreign policy. In this speech (which Washington never actually spoke; he just had it printed in newspapers), Washington warns against excessive entanglements with foreign countries. Washington was worried about the US’s alliance with France that had come out of the American Revolution. He felt that the US should not enter into such permanent alliances. He preferred a path of neutrality, making alliances only as convenient for the US. This was significant because it helped to create a template for American foreign policy in the early days of the country.
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