Introduction
Considered one of the greatest American leaders in history, George Washington gave his farewell speech on September 17, 1796. Although he was ready to retire early, his confidants convinced him otherwise. However, on September 17th, he bid farewell to the country he helped to create and left them with his vision for the future. Washington’s desire for America to remain a single nation and not scattered communities in the constant confrontation was more important than his own ambition. He also wanted to remind the citizens, all citizens, that it does not matter their level in society; they need to obey the laws and work together to change those laws that do not serve the best interest of a free society. Washington wanted to maintain public accountability for community resources, education, and morality. Lastly, George Washington spoke on the critical need to remain vigilant in seeking even footing with all nations and not make it a habit of befriending certain nations.
Main body
Washington spoke numerous times about the importance of building a unified nation under one government. This did not come to fruition until many years later after the Civil War and Reconstruction. However, Washington seemed to realize that sifting through the ashes in the aftermath of such historic battles as Gettysburg and Chickamauga were inevitable for America. He explained the different advantages to each region of the United States and understood that the only way to align a complete nation was for these regions to recognize each others’ contribution to the whole. Whether it was maritime, natural resources, or manufacturing, all regions had their own unique mission in cultivating the United States. The common theme to this part of Washington’s address was for Americans to keep foreign interests from manipulating fellow countrymen due to preexisting divisions among the regions.
The only way to accomplish this unity that Washington adamantly referred to is for the citizens to realize, regardless of the positions within their community; they all had to follow the laws. If indeed changes need to be made to laws, there are constitutional approaches to doing so. This is evidenced by the 27 times the Constitution has been amended. These laws govern the entire nation, and as such, each political realm has its own system to check and balance the other, so that there is a sense of stability within government. Today the system still stands, however, Washington would be astonished at the bureaucracy and private deals that infest American politics. Business interest and private investment drive the interests of current leaders, instead of a sense of responsibility to the citizenry.
Conversely, the citizens are not without their responsibility to the community. Washington tells the citizens that they base morality issues off of religion since the two should be considered one. Again, what a shock the 21st century would be for our first president. With the influx of immigrants and a continued diversification of the American population, the countless religious practices in the United States seem to not be the state of affairs that George Washington discusses in his farewell. Aside from morality issues, Americans need to save their resources and prepare for unforeseen dangers. All of this can be done with the promotion of education. Washington places a high emphasis on the public’s duty to establish and maintain a system of education.
Aside from domestic concerns, George Washington’s farewell continuously expresses the effects of foreign policy at this critical stage of development. Throughout his speech, he refers to a need for protection against foreign influence and the fear of manipulation from other countries. He encourages Americans to instill a level approach to foreign matters, and not to play favorites or make ardent enemies of any nation. Washington argues for a neutral stance with other nations and asks the citizens to be wary of the relationship between economic investment and political motives. Washington seems convinced that the United States should always maintain a defensive posture and keep the degree of trust in foreign alliances to a minimum. He says the experience needed to develop these strategies will come with time.
Conclusion
George Washington was the first president of the United States of America. He realized that the nation needed certain things to maintain a sense of personal identity. Political leaders needed to always serve the public interest and citizenry must follow the laws and guidelines of those political leaders. The communities must stay together and warn of foreign investment and influence. George Washington seemed to have foreseen the great conflicts that America has suffered through, and yet there was not enough done to lessen the effects or prevent it together.