Washington farewell address analysis PDF

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essay on george washington's farewell address. gives an overview of what the document was and how it shaped the nation...

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George Washington’s farewell address Jessica Dixon Liberty University Govt200 B-18 Dr. Ware Feb 7, 2022

George Washington’s Farewell Address The United States' first president was George Washington. He had served a successful two terms being president. During the end of his second term Washington did not want to run for a third due to his age he was prepared to leave politics. On Sept. 19th 1796 Washington wrote his famous Farewell Address. In such an address he wrote to the nation expressing his gratitude and gave warnings about politics, and voiced his concern for unity. Washington had wanted to leave office after his first term but stuck around for the second. During the second term he was becoming ill and did not enjoy being a public figure which was weighing on his mental state. Washington also felt if he was to die in office he would have a lifetime presidency which he did not want for his nation. George Washington felt an importance to inform the nation regarding his concerns with politics in regards to getting involved with foreign affairs. He warned that the United States should not get involved with other nations whether it be on good or bad terms. Washington felt

1 that if we vote based on our political party instead of the interest at hand we will be letting our nation fill with those with no principles. Washington voiced his concern for unity within the North, East, South and West. He expressed how they should not view their differences but instead see their strengths they can support each other with. All Regions would be stronger and able to withstand foreigh invasion if they work together rather than divide. In the days since following Washington's presidency us Americans have a first hand knowledge that we did not take the advice of Washington. Our political parties are divided and constantly compete against each other instead of coming together to create peace. The United States is constantly interfering with foreign issues, getting us in the middle of conflicts. The unity between the North, East, South and West had been divided. George Washington, being the first president, felt he had an obligation to step away from office and give an outline for how we believed we should go about with the future of our country. If we would have listened to his warnings and advice I personally feel like our country would be run much differently than it is now. We would have unity and respect for one another. We would not be going to war killing innocent people while trying to get to the “bad”. Our political parties would not fight each other more than they fight to get the right bills and laws passed.

References Transcript of president George Washington's Farewell address (1796). (n.d.). Retrieved February 06, 2022, from https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php? flash=false&doc=15&page=transcript...