Question

Write a letter to George Washington suggesting whether or not we have followed along the path and claims he suggested. What has our nation done in the past 220 years with regards to building unity, forming alliances, and political parties?
Evaluate to what extent our nation has followed Washington’s suggestions regarding unity, political parties, and alliances in the more than 220 years of our nation’s existence after this letter was penned.
Evaluate whether or not our nation has followed George Washington’s suggested pathways
3 body paragraphs: 1 addressing unity, 1 addressing political parties, and 1 addressing alliances
Cite evidence from the documents below & use your knowledge of US History & current events to support your claims



Excerpts from George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796)
Part 1: Unity

"The name of American, which belongs to you...must give you a sense of patriotism about the nation, of which you should speak more of than of local concerns...The North, in a dependent relationship with the south…finds great gains from the manufacturing and production of resources that come from the south. The South….benefits from the work of the North, sees its agriculture grow and its commerce expand. The East, ...finds improvement of ... communications by land and water... The West is only able to expand from the East due to these improvements the East makes…While then, every part of our country thus feels an immediate and particular interest in union.."

Part 2: Political Parties

"Let me know warn you in the most serious manner against the terrible effects of political parties in general… sharpened by the spirit of revenge… a frightful abuse of power… this leads to a more formal and permanent cruel use of power. Sooner or later, the leaders of these parties become the loudest voice, and turns the disposition [character of a person] into the purposes of his own - to gain more power for himself, and ruins the public freedom….”
Part 3: Alliances

“Foreign alliances might be easy to forge and seem appealing - but such attachments or alliances are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened and independent patriot…Such attachment of a small or weak nation to a great and powerful nation dooms the smaller weaker nation to become a dependent of the great and powerful nation. The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our economic relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible beyond that....Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. She is engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially not our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to bind ourselves by alliances…”

Answer 1

Dear George Washington,

I am writing to you to evaluate to what extent our nation has followed your suggestions regarding unity, political parties, and alliances in the more than 220 years of our nation’s existence after your letter was penned.

I first want to address unity. I think it is safe to say that we have made great strides in unity as a nation. We are no longer a nation divided by North and South, but a nation that is United to pursue the common goal of a more perfect union. We have also been able to come together and form alliances with other nations, which has helped us to achieve our goals as a nation.

However, I think we have strayed from your suggestion to avoid political parties. Political parties have become a powerful force in our nation and have led to a divided government. I think that the current state of our government is a testament to the fact that political parties can be a force for good or for evil.

Finally, I want to address your suggestion to avoid alliances with foreign nations. I think that our nation has followed this suggestion to some extent, but we have also formed alliances with other nations. I think that our nation has benefited from these alliances, but they have also led to some of our nation’s wars.

Overall, I think that our nation has followed your suggestions to some extent, but we have also strayed from your suggestions in some ways. I think that our nation has benefited from both following and straying from your suggestions.

Sincerely,

{Your name}

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Let me know if there are any questions regarding my answer.