LAD 6- Washington's Farewell Address

Washington's Farewell Address

George Washington set the precedent of not to run for a third term as President of the United States when he stepped down and he also issued an address giving advice to his country. This address included Washington’s concern over the increasing disunity of the United States because of the growing factions, or political parties. These factions mainly included the on-going conflict between the Federalists and anti-Federalists, and the conflict between those that were pro-British and those that were pro-French. The pro-French were mainly ignited by the war between the two that the French Revolution had touched off. According to Washington, no respect would be earned from the European nations unless the states were united. Washington also urged that America should henceforth stay out of European affairs, "to have with them as little political connection as possible", for fear of being dragged into war, and because of the fact that Europe was very far away and had different interests than the United States. He urged America to not “entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rival-ship, interest, humor or caprice”. In short Washington urged the United States to follow a path of neutrality and most importantly, to be united or else war would not be needed to tear it apart.