Introduction
Becoming president plays an essential role in the life of any politician, and when leaving office, everyone wants to leave the last word. “Farewell Address” is George Washington’s farewell speech when he decided not to run for the head of the country for the third time. The significant aspect of the president’s speech was the value of unity, loyalty to party over the nation, and the danger of foreign entanglements. These items he considered to be of utmost importance as he left office. The study of the main aspects of this letter plays a vital role in shaping how the policy of the United States of America developed after Washington left office.
Major Points of George Washington’s Speech
Therefore, the main point that stands out in George Washington’s speech is the emphasis on the value and importance of the community of the American people. This aspect also implied the primacy of the interests of the nation over differences, such as regional interests (Pruitt, 2020). In his speech, the outgoing president highlighted that “the independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint counselors, and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings, and successes” (“Washington’s Farewell Address 1796,” n.d., para.8). Thus, the politician noted that in order to achieve success and desired policy results, it is essential to strengthen community and relationships.
The other main point, according to investigators, is to determine loyalty to the party over the nation is wrong and the government’s worst enemy. According to the former president, the main negative consequence of the assumption of this process is factionalism or the development of competing political parties and force cunning and unprincipled behavior. This was due to the fact that already at the time of his resignation, more and more parties began to gain momentum and develop their activities. Taking into account the views of the party and blindly following its activities can only worsen the situation in the country.
The last important aspect for the outgoing president is the danger of foreign entanglements. This factor is of particular interest since it is impossible to imagine a country without a minimal foreign policy. Thus, George Washington was of the opinion that foreigners could lead to waves of unrest and also provoke an increase in corruption in the country. Furthermore, this problem affects the condition that the United States and Europe have completely different policies for conducting any kind of business. It is worth noting that these aspects, such as the latter, can only worsen the situation and provoke a decline in the development of the country due to isolation.
Conclusion
Washington’s warnings and exhortations were followed in the days since his presidency. The farewell speech of the outgoing outstanding president is an important starting point. Thus, the “Farewell Address” is presented as a speech that touches on such aspects of life as the confrontation of the United States with other countries due to different policies in the field of foreign policy. The main points of view that were called by the president among which are challenges facing the United States at the time, including increasing internal divisions and the ongoing external threat of invasion by stronger nations. The last message of the president provoked isolationism in the country. Because of the president’s advice not to build relations with other countries, America could not recognize for a long time.
References
Pruitt, S. (2020). George Washington warned against political infighting in his Farewell Address. History. Web.
Washington’s Farewell Address 1796. (n.d.). Yale Law School. Web.