Excerpt from George Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality, 1793
Whereas it appears that a state of war exists between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the United Netherlands, of the one part, and France on the other; and the duty and interest of the United States require, that they should with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerant Powers;
I have therefore thought fit by these presents to declare the disposition of the United States to observe the conduct aforesaid towards those Powers respectfully; and to exhort and warn the citizens of the United States carefully to avoid all acts and proceedings whatsoever, which may in any manner tend to contravene such disposition.
And I do hereby also make known, that whatsoever of the citizens of the United States shall render himself liable to punishment or forfeiture under the law of nations, by committing, aiding, or abetting hostilities against any of the said Powers, or by carrying to any of them those articles which are deemed contraband by the modern usage of nations, will not receive the protection of the United States, against such punishment or forfeiture; and further, that I have given instructions to those officers, to whom it belongs, to cause prosecutions to be instituted against all persons, who shall, within the cognizance of the courts of the United States, violate the law of nations, with respect to the Powers at war, or any of them.
Use the excerpt to answer the question.
How does Washington’s proclamation shape U.S. foreign policy?
A.
He directs the country and its citizens to stay out of a European war.
B.
He advises government to provide aid to all sides in a foreign conflict.
C.
He encourages officials to pursue friendly relations with enemy nations.
D.
He threatens punishment for critics of the nation’s alliances and treaties.
PLEASE, ALSO EXPLAIN WHY ITS THE CORRECT ANSWER, DO NOT GUESS, USE THE EXPERT.
A. He directs the country and its citizens to stay out of a European war.
This is the correct answer because the excerpt from Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality states that the United States should adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial towards the belligerent powers, and that citizens should avoid any acts that would contravene this disposition. He also states that citizens who commit acts of hostility against any of the powers will not receive the protection of the United States. This shows that Washington's proclamation shapes U.S. foreign policy by directing the country and its citizens to stay out of a European war.