Feature Use the excerpt to answer the question. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful [harmful, destructive] effects of the spirit of party generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness [state of being excessive and unpleasant], and is truly their worst enemy. . . . It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments [stirs up] occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated [made easier] access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another. . . . George Washington, Farewell Address Question What does the excerpt say about Washington’s views on political parties? (1 point) Responses The nation should embrace more than one party so that the government represents different perspectives. The nation should embrace more than one party so that the government represents different perspectives. Political parties may lead to unrest in American communities. Political parties may lead to unrest in American communities. Leaders of foreign nations could take advantage of different political parties. Leaders of foreign nations could take advantage of different political parties. With several political parties, foreign countries would pose less of a threat. With several political parties, foreign countries would pose less of a threat. Skip to navigation
Political parties may lead to unrest in American communities.
The excerpt says that political parties may lead to unrest in American communities.
The excerpt from George Washington's Farewell Address suggests that Washington had a negative view of political parties. He describes the spirit of party as harmful and warns against its baneful effects. He states that this spirit exists in all governments but is particularly troublesome in popular forms of government, such as the United States. According to Washington, political parties agitate the community with baseless suspicions and false alarms, fuel animosity between different groups, and occasionally lead to riots and insurrections. Additionally, he warns that political parties open the door to foreign influence and corruption, as other countries can exploit partisan divisions to manipulate the policies and will of the nation. Therefore, the excerpt indicates that Washington believed that political parties may lead to unrest in American communities and expose the government to outside influences and corruption.
