Washington's Farewell Address

George Washington, the first president of the United States, had written a very important historical speech and document towards the end of his time in office. He had written the Farewell address which focused on helping America understand the importance of preserving unity, acknowledging the rise of political parties forming, strengthening religion and morality, and he stated his position on American foreign policy. He addressed these ideas with strong tone and used incredible amount of dictions that strengthens his tone as well as representing his appeal to ethos to a strong degree. However, today’s society seemed to forget Washington’s position on foreign policy and has created a new form of the policy. But nonetheless as time grew, change occurs. In today’s society Washington’s foreign policy would include many positive and negative manifestations, but it is still a speech and document that will always apply to America. One main focus of Washington’s farewell address was to alert the citizens of the U.S. that America should not get involved in foreign relations, especially with the flare between the French and the British. He wanted America to stay neutral in foreign matters and not hold long term alliances with other nations. He stated “Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation.” He included how it is unwise for America to implicate itself with artificial ties. Washington believed that if America did conduct with foreign nations then they would influence people as well as government to act as they wanted. In other words, Washington encouraged Americans to take advantage as a new union and avoid as much political affairs with others. Washington also concerned himself wi...

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...r to help each other and also contribute to voting for the country. However, even today America still has political party groups which affect the country both positively and negatively unlike what Washington had thought. He stated that parties would cause problems, however the parties are what keep the government intact and it also helps make decisions for the country.

Washington’s farewell address mainly focused on foreign policy, but he does express concern for his other ideas such as religion and unity. Today’s foreign policy differs from what Washington had hoped for through his Farewell Address but, his policy today would have many different positive and negative manifestations. With his strong use of diction that strengthens his tone as well as his appeal to ethos, Washington’s address has definitely played a role in America’s current position today.