George Washington's Farewell Address

Reading Check

1. Another term as president (Paragraph 1)

2. As the “disinterested warnings of a parting friend” (Paragraph 6)

3. Maintaining a unified federal government (Paragraph 8)

4. Between North (manufacturing) and South (agriculture), East (maritime) and West (interior) (Paragraph 11)

5. Geographical regions (Paragraph 14)

6. As crucial to the government’s success (Paragraph 26)

7. Debt and excessive spending should be avoided except when necessary. (Paragraph 28)

8. Harmonious but dispassionate, with no permanent alliances (Paragraphs 29-30)

Short Answer

1. Washington counsels to avoid as many wars as possible. In times of peace, the country should work to pay off any unavoidable debts. (Paragraph 28)

2. He looks forward to a period of retirement when he will enjoy the benefits of the just and fair rulings of a free government. (Paragraph 49)

3. Passionate ties to another country can cloud judgment and lead to bad decisions. The US may get involved in another country’s war when the US has no real stake in the dispute. Favoritism for one country can cause jealousy in others. Also, foreign interests can weaken the US government by fueling internal factions. As a young and relatively weak nation, the US could become a “satellite” of a stronger nation. (Paragraphs 32-33)

4. When parties are constantly battling each other within a government, people may look for a despot to impose order, thus destroying liberty.