...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....
Words: 782 - Pages: 4
...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...
Words: 960 - Pages: 4
...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 areas of the country...
Words: 864 - Pages: 4
...George Washington Farewell Address . G0VT 200 – BO8 February 24, 2014 George Washington Farewell Address Introduction President George Washington was a natural leader; where some of his policies still affect the world today. In September 1796, President Washington gave his Farewell Address to the people of the United States. He addressed the Nation close to the end of his second term as President of the United States. The American people were not prepared for what he had to say. They were shocked that he stated he was running for a third term and that he was going to leave the office of President and Public Office completely. The American people were disturbed because at that present time the Nation needed him. President Washington Farewell Address was hand written and consist of thirty two pages. President Washington Farewell Address was an outline of how he thought the country should follow his policies after he left office. In his Farewell Address he made three major points; first was unity, second was forming of political parties and third was foreign policies. He felt as though these were the things that the country needs to know and how to keep the country together. The major point of his Farewell Address was Unity. He stated that Unity was a “real independence.” He also called for National Unity with other Nations that will achieve success. He wanted Unity among all Nations. He stated...
Words: 804 - Pages: 4
...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...
Words: 883 - Pages: 4
...George Washington was the first president of the United States. The position of president was formed when the Constitution of the United States was written and ratified in 1789. Prior to this, the United States government was run based on the Articles of Confederation which hadn’t been working well. It included a weakened central government with very little executive power. The Constitution defined the role of president and included checks and balances for a stronger federal system. It did not however include too many specifics on how a president should carry out his role. As part of this first presidency, George Washington established three important precedents which included a maximum of two terms for a president, a presidential cabinet of his supporters and giving a farewell address at the end of his presidency....
Words: 675 - Pages: 3
...A Farewell To America During one of the most pivotal points in American history George Washington decided he had served our country to the fullest of his ability and needed to step down so the country could continue to prosper politically, financially, and nationally. Washington had spent the majority of his life defending the colonies from any number of attackers such as; Native Americans, the British, and political factions. He was the independent light at the end of the tyrannical tunnel of British rule. He urged the American people that in order to keep the light of freedom burning bright forever, there were some things he needed them to keep in mind throughout time. Washington’s Farewell Address was a letter to the people, for the people, to explain the necessity of those illuminating concepts that would keep the darkness of corruption and fascism at bay. Most importantly Washington wrote his Farewell Address in a manor that conveyed a true sense of pride and camaraderie to the people. He explained that he had spent the vast majority of his life defending, in one way or another, America as a whole. He understood that he had been a vital asset to the foundation of the constitution and the formation of a republican representative government. Washington apologized for any wrong doings he may have made during his time of presidency and thanked the American people for supporting him throughout the difficulties. Washington spelled out the need for his retirement, his appreciation...
Words: 1265 - Pages: 6
...Washington’s Farewell Address Essay George Washington allowed the U.S to access a lot of his generous efforts throughout his presidency; he took his role as president out of the pure intent of the wellbeing of this country in mind, not greed. Tensions arose as he was president, but he kept on supporting his country. He knew that his position as president would not last forever. George Washington (see fig.1) was born on February 22, 1732 at Bridges Creek, Virginia. His career in politics started in 1749 when he was appointed county surveyor. His political career only flourished from that point on. He was elected president on April 30, 1789. After a while he felt himself getting less interested in the public office, as well as experiencing himself...
Words: 540 - Pages: 3
...Washington’s Farewell Address George Washington decided that he was done with being president in 1796 . Washington had many important decisions to make and had immense pressure to set good examples for a young and fragile nation. He had to set precedents for how the nation’s government would run and how they would deal with foreign affairs. Washington had many different and new experiences as president, and those experiences led him to warn America of three things not to do. His three warnings in his farewell address were creating political parties, staying debt free, and doing only your job in government. In his farewell address, George Washington warned about creating political parties. When he advised Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, he could see that they had opposing views on how to run the new country. He thought that political parties would lead to division in the United States, according to this quote: ”It is justly so, for it is the main pillar in the edifice of your real independence…” Washington could tell that opposing views could lead to division, and could cause the nation to implode, or leave it vulnerable to attack. The newly formed nation was too fragile to break apart again....
Words: 501 - Pages: 3
...Rhetorical Analysis “Washington’s Farewell Address” Everyone knows the famous George Washington who changed our country for the better and played an important role in American history. He served as a president for two terms and although many people wanted him to run for a third term, he did not wish to be reelected. He told the public this news in his famous “Farewell Address” which he wrote in 1796. The speech is analyzed even to this day. I think this is an effective speech because he connects with each and every person in the audience, unites the country, and uses logic and reason to get his points across. While public speaking connecting with the audience is a crucial aspect of an effective speech. In George Washington’s “Farewell Address,”...
Words: 400 - Pages: 2
...The Farewell Address by George Washington set certain principles that will make Americans be a successful and violence free country which was agreed by Mercy Otis Warren although Felix Grundy, on the other hand, disagrees by the principles that Washington wanted. Felix Grundy opposes on the Farewell Address by trying to conquer Canada and making the country more powerful while cutting connections between Canadians and Indians at the same time. As stated, “I am willing to receive the Canadians as adopted brethren; it will have beneficial political effects; it will preserve the equilibrium of the Government” (Foner 161). It shows that Grundy wanted to make the America politically powerful while preserving the Government’s balance by inducing...
Words: 385 - Pages: 2
...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....
Words: 470 - Pages: 2
...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...
Words: 767 - Pages: 4
...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...
Words: 460 - Pages: 2
...Throughout the “Farewell Address”, George Washington tries to bring about points that would make a strong and unified union through his ideas. He includes points over having parties and how they could turn into separation. He also includes point over having a moral society, using money in proper ways, as well as the way the country should interact with foreign countries. He formed a basis of government and the basis of the constitution to be formed for the future country. Within each part of his speech he goes over many important points that could potentially occur within the forming country. In one of his points he tries to explain the dangers of having parties within the nation. The separation of the nation could only break the union apart. He says, “The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual;” George uses this quote to show the evil that come out of a man when given parties that separate. The separation of parties make men feel that they are stronger than others rather than finding each other as equals. The separation could weaken the government rather than strengthen it....
Words: 709 - Pages: 3
