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
Essay Question (Don't forget to use RAD Restate the questions, Answer the question, and provide Details....Good essay questions should be at least 3-5 sentences. This is a deep question and requires at least three-five sentences to fully address the topic.)
Based on the excerpt and your knowledge from the unit, explain Washington's views on Political Parties.
Based on the excerpt, Washington holds a negative view of political parties. He warns against the harmful effects of the spirit of party, which he believes is inherent in human nature and particularly destructive in popular forms of government. Washington argues that political parties agitate the community, foster division and animosity among its members, and can even lead to riot and insurrection. He further asserts that foreign influence and corruption can infiltrate the government through the channels of party passions, compromising the sovereignty and autonomy of the country. Thus, Washington's views suggest a strong aversion to the divisive and potentially destructive nature of political parties.
Washington's views on political parties, as expressed in the excerpt, are highly critical. He warns against the harmful effects of the spirit of party, arguing that it is an inherent aspect of human nature and exists in varying degrees in all governments. However, he suggests that in popular form governments, such as a democracy, this spirit is particularly rampant and dangerous. Washington believes that political parties agitate the community with baseless jealousies and false alarms, foster animosity among different factions, incite riots and insurrections, and make the government susceptible to foreign influence and corruption. Thus, he considers political parties to be the worst enemy of democratic governments, advocating for their control or repression to protect the welfare of the nation.
RAD: Washington's views on Political Parties
Restate the question: What were George Washington's views on Political Parties?
Answer the question: George Washington warned against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, stating that it is inseparable from human nature and exists in all governments. He believed that political parties, especially in popular forms of government, were the worst enemy of the community. Political parties agitated the community with ill-founded jealousies, false alarms, and animosity between different parts, leading to riots and insurrections. Washington also believed that political parties opened the door to foreign influence and corruption, which could undermine the policy and will of a country by subjecting it to the policy and will of another.
Details: In his Farewell Address, George Washington expressed his deep concern about the negative impact of political parties. He believed that the spirit of party, fueled by strong human passions, was inevitable but should be controlled and repressed to prevent harm. Washington saw political parties as divisive forces that undermined unity and harmony within a community or country. He cautioned against the dangers of party politics, emphasizing how they could lead to social unrest, foreign influence, and corruption in government. Washington's views on political parties reflected his desire for a united and independent nation, free from the destructive consequences of partisan politics.