The precedents that Washington set were the greatest of all, but the best examples he mentioned were critical to America. Washington was the first president of the United States. He had served two terms, and warned future presidents not to run for a third term. He believed it would make citizens believe that the government is in power; but truly, the states and people are in control. Based on George Washington’s observations, he warned the people to stay united, stay neutral, and follow the constitution, in order to keep the U.S. stable. George Washington warned people about the precarious actions individuals may perform, such as not staying united. Staying united is one of the soul reasons the United States was created. Washington informed others of what the U.S. provides them; when he states, “The unity of government… is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity;” (Farewell Address, Paragraph 2). Which provides us that staying united is not only a key to the government, but better for the community. He got the reasoning that the unity of …show more content…
His view on following the constitution is to constantly check the powers of other branches. He announced, “The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it into different depositaries… in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment,” (Paragraph 3). The precaution was inspired by the Whiskey Rebellion when the people believed that the president could not pass taxes on whiskey; Washington then led an army to stop this rebellion from growing, because the president has the right to tax items. He had observed that people may believe that too much power has been given to the government, so he made it a necessity to check and make sure all branches are
In the book of His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis, the author introduces Washington, the Father of the United States, in a fresh portrait focused on the characters of Washington. This book is an impressive biography of Washington's remarkable dedication to the United States history. According to the author, George Washington is an omnipresent figure as he was growing up, described as the man in the moon who was aloof and silent. This book focuses on Washington's wartime service which became some of his major contributions to the United States, rather than merely telling the true story of Washington, its main thesis is focusing on analyzing his contributions and how his governorship had affected the American history. Washington's life is divided into three areas in this book.
(Ellis128) Unity and independence was essential to Washington's plan. Jonathan Ellis writes this revealing Washington's character of being loyal to how much power he had and the proper way to use it. Washington retires in his most prime time of being a leader because he wanted to prove that he was loyal to the
George Washington was correct in his warning about the political parties. Washington had spoken of the dangers in his farewell speech. He also “warned that political factions gaining enough power could seek to obstruct the execution of the laws that were created by Congress and could prevent the three branches from properly performing their duties that were outlined in the Constitution”.
Secondly, there had been no period of time in which the nation had been without Washington as a leader. Lastly, eight years seemed rather short for a people who had been raised under monarchs.
President Washington gave advice for the future of the U.S. in his farewell address. Washington decided not to run for a third term, but he set a precedent by giving a farewell address with valuable advice for the U.S. to take into consideration. He also had a concern for the U.S. that would last until the end of his life, causing him to give this particular advice. Washington had to deal with the conflict between Hamilton and Jefferson, the Whiskey Rebellion, and the clash between France and Great Britain. Staying united, following the Constitution, and staying neutral is the advice that Washington gave based on his experiences because he loved and worried about the future of the U.S. Fearing that the newly formed U.S. government would divide, Washington first gave advice on the U.S. staying united.
With some Americans refusing to stay open minded to the beliefs of the opposite political party, our country will get nowhere. As one of our country’s Founding Fathers, Washington would not approve of this, and demand the next president change this. If George Washington was still alive today, he would be able to give the next president advice to transform our country. Someone with the unbiased mindset toward the two main political parties would be a much needed perspective for the next president.
Before retirement Washington wrote a famous letter near the end of his second term as President. This letter was called the “The Address of General Washington to the People of The United States on his declining of the Presidency of the United States” or simply “The Farewell Address”, this letter was a warning for the government and future presidents against wars and dangers of alliances. George Washington also warns American people that groups seeking to overthrow the government may seek to weaken the government to a point where it is unable to defend itself from political factions, enforce its laws, and protect the people's rights and property. Though George Washington never really used the exact words “foreign entanglements” in the Farewell
In President Washington’s Farewell address, he talks about several problems Americans might encounter in the future and gives us advice on how to handle them. Washington does this because he wanted America to thrive as a country and achieve great success. Whether we have or have not achieved greatness is personal opinion, however, when he had given the advice it had been inspired by things he had seen from people in everyday life. The first piece of advice Washington had given was about unity in the government and unity in the states.
George Washington’s Farewell Address Primary Source Analysis Chase Williams Lagrange College Washington’s farewell address had three main issues that He determined were crucial for the country to survive after only recently obtaining independence. President Washington told everyone in 1796 that they needed to stand together as a nation. He warned the people of the dangers of political parties, and he established foundational reasons for the country not to become over-involved in foreign affairs. Establishing these three principals were vital to the functionality of the nation. .
Washington knew a strong Constitution had to be in place, which is why he was responsible for the Constitutional Convention. The effects of his inaugural address and presidency really mattered, given he was the first of our many presidents. George Washington proved he truly cared for the American people and the country. He took charge and changed what had to be done, because his speech altered the government and society as we know it today; our Constitution, our executive and judicial branches, and our Supreme Court. While he did emphasize the need for a Constitution, he was not the only one responsible for it’s making.
In 1796, President George Washington delivered one of the most famous and the very first Presidential farewell address from Congress Hall in Philadelphia. In his farewell address, President Washington advised American citizens to view themselves as a cohesive unit and avoid political parties and issued a special warning to be wary of attachments and entanglements with other nations. (ourdocuments.gov) Washington feared that local factors might be the source of some differences that would destroy the nation. His defense of national unity lay not only in abstract ideals, but also in the pragmatic reality. (U.S.history.org)
A lot of the problems and concerns he was dealing with during his presidency are still relevant in todays day in age. George Washington’s Farewell Address does a great job highlighting the problems he fears will affect the future of our country. The four areas of his concern were unity, not devising into stronger separate political parties,
The friendship Washington establishes with the people of America serve as a reason for the audience to listen to his speech and take note of the topics and ideas he presents. In addition to the plain folks appeal, Washington also repeats words and phrases to give a larger effect to his address. When advising his audience on the importance of a strong, unified government, Washington claims such a government is a necessity to keep the American values of “your real independence,” “your tranquility at home,” “your peace abroad,” “your safety,” “your prosperity,” and “that very liberty which you so highly prize” (3).
George Washington also acknowledge that he made mistakes himself and is far from a perfect individual but made clear to be open minded of criticism and corrections and to seek challenges by taking the easy routes in life. Washington’s Farewell Address is important part of our history and is taught up till this day to young American children in our schools and by Historians but few people understand the meaning and the importance behind the Farewell Letter. The Farewell Address the federal government, warnings against the party systems, the importance of religion and morality, warnings against forming a permanent foreign alliance, and a powerful military. George Washington has an overwhelming reputation by his military service, his position as our first president of the United States of America, and by leaving his position in office by leaving behind his Farewell Address to give present and future Americans insight on the history of our country and what it’s known for. It’s well encouraged to research what American history is about and how we can apply the Farewell Address into our life by living in peace, exercising our freedom of speech and choice or religions, along with respecting our governments and live in unity to achieve success.
After eight years, our first commander and chief was stepping down. George Washington was ready to retire from politics. Before he said goodbye, he had some advice for the nation. He wrote his Farewell Address in 1796. In the Address offered advice, while also warning citizens of the importance of preserving their country.