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.
Political parties may lead to unrest in American communities.
The correct answer is: Political parties may lead to unrest in American communities.
The correct answer is: Political parties may lead to unrest in American communities.
To find this answer, we can analyze the given excerpt from George Washington's Farewell Address. Washington warns against the harmful effects of the spirit of party (partisanship) and states that it is a natural part of human nature. He explains that this spirit exists in all forms of government but is particularly prominent in popular forms of government. Washington describes the negative consequences of this spirit of party, including the agitating of communities with false alarms, instigating animosity between different factions, and occasionally leading to riots and insurrection. He also points out that it opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, as other countries can exploit the channels of party passions to influence the policy and will of the nation.
Therefore, it can be inferred from the excerpt that Washington viewed political parties as potentially leading to unrest in American communities.