Presidents at Peace: George Washington Warns Against "Foreign Entanglements"
At the conclusion of his second and final term as President, George Washington delivered what is known as his "Farewell Address" to the nation. At a time before television and electronic media, Washington wrote a letter addressed to "The People of the United States of America". The letter was published in Daved Claypole's American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796 under the title "The Address of General Washington To The People of The United States on his declining of the Presidency of the United States". It was reprinted in newspapers across the country and later published in a pamphlet form.
A large part of Washington's farewell address discussed the subject of foreign relations, and the dangers of permanent alliances between the United States and foreign nations. This issue had was a hot one in American politics during conflict between France and Britain, known as the French Revolutionary Wars. Two factions of his government wanted to ally with different sides of the dispute. The Federalists wanted to join sides with Britain and the Democratic-Republicans wanted to aid France. Washington had avoided American involvement in the conflict by issuing the Proclamation of Neutrality, which in turn led to the Neutrality Act of 1794.
In his farewell address, Washington argued for a policy of good faith and justice towards all nations. he urged the American people to avoid long-term friendly relations or rivalries with any nation. He wrote that these attachments and animosity toward nations will only cloud the government's judgment in its foreign policy. Washington argued that longstanding poor relations will only lead to unnecessary wars due to a tendency to blow minor offenses out of proportion when committed by nations viewed as enemies of the United States.
Washington continued his argument by claiming that alliances are likely to draw the United States into wars which have no justification and no benefit to the United States. He said that alliances often lead to poor relations with nations who feel that they are not being treated as well as America's allies, and threatened to influence the American government into making decisions based upon the will of their allies instead of the will of the American people.
Washington warned of the dangers of foreign nations who seek to influence the American people and government. He argues that both America's friends and its enemies will try to influence the government to do their will and it will only be "real patriots" who ignore popular opinion and resist the influence of friendly nations to seek what is best for their own country. He urged the American people to take advantage of their isolated position in the world, and avoid "attachments and entanglements in foreign affairs", especially those of Europe, which he said have little or nothing to do with the interests of America. He argued that it mads no sense for the American people to wage war on European soil and that their isolated position and unity allowed them to remain neutral and focus on their own affairs.
Washington said that temporary alliances during times of extreme danger may be necessary, and current treaties should be honored. He concluded his foreign policy statement by advocating for free trade with all nations. he said that trade links should be established naturally and the role of the government should be limited to insuring stable trade, defending the rights of American merchants, and doing what is necessary to insure that the government is able to insure the conventional rules of trade.
To this day, Washington's Farewell Address is considered to be one of the most important documents in American history.
A large part of Washington's farewell address discussed the subject of foreign relations, and the dangers of permanent alliances between the United States and foreign nations. This issue had was a hot one in American politics during conflict between France and Britain, known as the French Revolutionary Wars. Two factions of his government wanted to ally with different sides of the dispute. The Federalists wanted to join sides with Britain and the Democratic-Republicans wanted to aid France. Washington had avoided American involvement in the conflict by issuing the Proclamation of Neutrality, which in turn led to the Neutrality Act of 1794.
In his farewell address, Washington argued for a policy of good faith and justice towards all nations. he urged the American people to avoid long-term friendly relations or rivalries with any nation. He wrote that these attachments and animosity toward nations will only cloud the government's judgment in its foreign policy. Washington argued that longstanding poor relations will only lead to unnecessary wars due to a tendency to blow minor offenses out of proportion when committed by nations viewed as enemies of the United States.
Washington continued his argument by claiming that alliances are likely to draw the United States into wars which have no justification and no benefit to the United States. He said that alliances often lead to poor relations with nations who feel that they are not being treated as well as America's allies, and threatened to influence the American government into making decisions based upon the will of their allies instead of the will of the American people.
Washington warned of the dangers of foreign nations who seek to influence the American people and government. He argues that both America's friends and its enemies will try to influence the government to do their will and it will only be "real patriots" who ignore popular opinion and resist the influence of friendly nations to seek what is best for their own country. He urged the American people to take advantage of their isolated position in the world, and avoid "attachments and entanglements in foreign affairs", especially those of Europe, which he said have little or nothing to do with the interests of America. He argued that it mads no sense for the American people to wage war on European soil and that their isolated position and unity allowed them to remain neutral and focus on their own affairs.
Washington said that temporary alliances during times of extreme danger may be necessary, and current treaties should be honored. He concluded his foreign policy statement by advocating for free trade with all nations. he said that trade links should be established naturally and the role of the government should be limited to insuring stable trade, defending the rights of American merchants, and doing what is necessary to insure that the government is able to insure the conventional rules of trade.
To this day, Washington's Farewell Address is considered to be one of the most important documents in American history.