Use the excerpt to answer the question.
"The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. . . . Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition. . .?"
—George Washington, Farewell Address
Question
Which of the following statements best summarizes Washington’s viewpoint on American foreign policy?
(1 point)
Responses
The United States can take advantage of Europe’s ambition.
The United States can take advantage of Europe’s ambition.
The United States should limit interaction with Europe to commerce, or trade.
The United States should limit interaction with Europe to commerce, or trade.
Europe’s interests are similar to those of the United States and should be supported if they are threatened.
Europe’s interests are similar to those of the United States and should be supported if they are threatened.
The United States should stop trying to influence European politics.
The United States should stop trying to influence European politics.
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(1 point) The United States should limit interaction with Europe to commerce, or trade.
The correct statement that best summarizes Washington's viewpoint on American foreign policy is:
The United States should limit interaction with Europe to commerce, or trade.
To answer this question, we need to look at the provided excerpt from George Washington's Farewell Address. In the excerpt, Washington emphasizes the importance of keeping a limited political connection with foreign nations, particularly Europe. He states that the primary rule of conduct for the United States in regard to foreign nations is to have as little political connection as possible, while fulfilling any existing engagements with good faith. Washington argues that Europe has a different set of interests that are essentially foreign to the concerns of the United States, and interweaving the destiny of the United States with Europe's could lead to unnecessary controversies and entanglements in European ambition.
Based on this information, the statement that best summarizes Washington's viewpoint on American foreign policy is: "The United States should limit interaction with Europe to commerce, or trade." This aligns with Washington's emphasis on having as little political connection as possible and avoiding entanglements in European controversies.