It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing [supporting] infidelity [disloyalty; unfaithfulness] to existing engagements. I hold the maxim [wise saying] no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them.
- Washington’s Farewell Address
Question
Use the excerpt to answer the question.
What did Washington mean when he wrote that the maxim “honesty is the best policy” should be applied to foreign relations?
(1 point)
Responses
The United States should have announced that it was cutting off relations with other nations.
The United States should have announced that it was cutting off relations with other nations.
The United States should have terminated its formal relationships with European nations.
The United States should have terminated its formal relationships with European nations.
There was no need to be coy about U.S. intentions to avoid permanent alliances in the future.
There was no need to be coy about U.S. intentions to avoid permanent alliances in the future.
The president should privately reassure foreign leaders that America stands with them but publicly maintain a separation from other nations’ policies.
The president should privately reassure foreign leaders that America stands with them but publicly maintain a separation from other nations’ policies.
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The correct response is: The United States should have terminated its formal relationships with European nations.
The correct answer is: The president should privately reassure foreign leaders that America stands with them but publicly maintain a separation from other nations’ policies.
To answer the question, we need to understand what Washington meant when he wrote that the maxim "honesty is the best policy" should be applied to foreign relations. According to the excerpt, Washington's true policy was to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world. However, he also emphasized that he was not advocating for disloyalty to existing engagements or supporting infidelity.
Based on this information, we can infer that Washington believed in maintaining honesty in foreign relations. He wanted to ensure that existing engagements and alliances were observed in their genuine sense. Washington did not want to completely sever the United States' formal relationships with European nations, but he believed that it was unnecessary and unwise to extend them further.
Therefore, the correct response is: There was no need to be coy about U.S. intentions to avoid permanent alliances in the future. Washington's emphasis on honesty meant that the United States should openly and honestly communicate its intentions to avoid permanent alliances, rather than being secretive or ambiguous about it.