As George Washington retired from the Presidency in 1796 after serving two terms in office, he wrote a "farewell address" to the American people. Although many people today think that the Farewell Address was a speech, it was actually published in newspapers. Alexander Hamilton, who had been the Secretary of the Treasury, wrote the first draft, and Washington made changes.
Washington made three main points. First, he said that while the newly independent United States should trade with other countries, the US should not make military alliances (agreements) with any foreign country since that could pull us into a war that did not affect us directly. He also warned against having political parties. Washington felt that if there were political parties, voters would follow who the party said to vote for, rather than being informed and voting for the best candidate. Finally, he felt that religion was an important "pillar" for American morals. In others words, if people went to church regularly, they would know the difference between right and wrong, and make better decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Now it's your turn. Do you believe that Washington's advice in the farewell address is still good advice for the United States in 2009? Write a well written paragraph, and address Washington's three major points:
- The US should avoid foreign military treaties
- Political parties are bad for the country
- Belonging to a church helps make people better citizens since they know right from wrong
49 comments:
P.6 Michael B. & Stephanie C.
This is still good advice for the country. By making military treaties you make friend and an enemy. Also, political parties have a different view of things. This leads to many arguments. The best lies in between there view points. Lastly, church gives people a set of values that they can depend on.
P.6 Alexander M. Isaac J.
I think there all good ideas because if you have military treaties with someone then they might attack you, political parties will argue all the time, and church does make you a good citizen.
Jasmin & Joob Per.6
I agree with George Washington that the US should avoid foreign military treaties, because we are having a problem with Afghanistan right now and it is hurting our country.
I disagree that political parties are bad, because so far the political parties aren't doing much wrong, but they can make mistakes because everyone makes mistakes.
I Agree that going to church is good, because when you go to church you learn the difference between right and wrong. Then there wouldn't be crime and violence.
Stephanny Suarez , Michael Nunez P.6
We think that it is a bad idea because if you make treaties beacause then the countries might want all the power and they will fight against you for the power.
We think Washington's advice also will help without political parties because it is true that people would vote for who the party said to vote for.
We think Washington was correct in saying that if you go to church you will make good decisions because people do follow the rules of god if they go to church.
Marina Perez Period 6 11-16-09
All of Washington's points, with the exception of one, are still good advice for the United States in 2009. I believe the US should avoid military alliances because other countries wars don't really matter to the US. Political parties aren't very necessary and voters should vote for the best candidate instead of being persuaded by a party. Having religion be an important "pillar" for American morals isn't good advice for today because not every American has a religion or goes to church.
Per.6 Nancy C. & Nathalie G.
We believe that we should avoid foreign military treaties because we got into some major wars (War World 1, War World 2, and the war in Iraq). We bet if we would have avoid treaties we would be at war with other countries.
We believe that political parties is good for the country because if some people don't like one of the candidates, who will then choose? It better to have a person's vote that not voting at all. Having parties will get a competition to the countries getting their interest.
We believe that church makes good citizen because it shows good manners. Able to go to church will wash off your sins that you have. Church if there to teach of the teachings of our lord and what right to do. I mean church not there to be playing around, it there to pray.
Abraham L. Alan R. Per.6
1.No forgein alliances
-Alan agrees because other peoples war is none of our buisness, why get invovled and gain a new enemy
-Abraham doesnt agree with that statement because if we need help we wont have anyone to help us out.
2. Political parties are bad
-We think poltical parties are good because we get to see what every person is thinking and know all of our options
3. Going to church is good
-We think this is good because following a religion gives us a sense of morality and santity, it shows us how to go through the right path and not make the wrong choices
P6 Jasmin R.& Juan B.
1.We think that it woud not help in this time because if we need help in a war than thare is no one to rely on for help and we will lose and be taken over.And no one will help.Also if a little contry is taken over we wont help.
2.No political parties are good for the country because then they help people choose between which side they want either democrats or republicans.and to split the contry apart.
3.It is a good idea because people get a good sense of values of people thinges
Brandon O. & Brenda F.
per. 6
No we shouldnt take the advice of Washingon because we should make treaties with foreign countries because it benefits us to have the military stuff we have today. Having an alliance with other countries will help us if we ever need somone to help us in a war. Not everyone should go to church regularly because not everyone has the same beliefs that go with churches.
P.6- Nemesis D. & Stephanie O.
We believe that Washington's advice wouldn't work now. Well at least 2 out of 3 of them wouldn't. The US should allow foreign military treaties because it would be good for the nation. For example, If there was a war, we would like to help the country fight the war, so that if we ever get into trouble we would also like them to help us in a war.
Political parties are actually good for the nation,in our opinions. Political parties let people debate non violently, and be able to seperate into groups and state their options and opinions. They let people state and choose for the future president in a organized manner.
Belonging to church does help make people into better citizens.In that, we agree with Washington. we think that going to church is good because It helps people build common sense. It also helps people get rid of Sins and Idiotic ideas.
P:6 Cynthia G.
I do believe that Washington's advice is still helpful even now that we're in the 21st century. The advice about the U.S avoiding foreign treaties is to me personally well given advice because if we do make foreign agreements it might involve us in a war that is not even ours. I think that the advice about politcal parties is also good advice because when its time for us to elect a new president, we have to vote for who WE think is the best and not for who others follow. Although I agreed on the previous advice being good, I disagree with the following advice: Belonging to church helps make people better citizens since they know right from wrong. Although going to church is good morality, people these days make well decisions in which do not consist of going to church so often. If someone becomes over-religious, they may end up making a biased decision based only on what they believe in.
Pedro C. and Sheila V. Period 6
We think that this advice isn't good anymore because it is good to have alliance with other countries in order to not engage in war with anyone. Also if you do go into war with a different country it is good to have alliances to support you in combat. Political parties can sometimes lie to you about topics they support or don't support. Going to church isn't good advice because many people in this country may not be Christian or worship any god.
P.6 Arturo V. & Andrea O.
It would not really it said church was good for you and some people do not belive or have a religon.
p6,Patricia A, Juan B.
Washington's three points were:
~The US should avoid foreign military treaties.
~Political parties are bad for the country.
~Belonging to a church helps make people better citizens since they know right from wrong.
We believe that Washington's advice was not so good.This is so because people need military treaties in order to have good money and other people's trust. Another reason is because political parties are life for some, that's all they think about,and they help come up with new ideas.Finaly, religion or going to church has nothing to do with govn't he shouldn't even go there.
Esmeralda.V. Hugo.T. Per.6
Hugo or I think that this won't work in 2009 because right know we are in a war with Afganistan. I also think that political parties are good for the country because it seperates the opinions between the groups.Going to church can also think that it is good.
I Esmeralda think the two of Washitons ideas. I think the one tat we shoud not make treaties with foreign countries because incase a flame appears there will be more drama and more wars to fight and are economy will be even worse. Palitical parties
agree with is becaose it is hard to disaree when you are in a team and you oppose an idea. I do however disagee with the i ree with the church thing cause yu leran from right and wrong in sckool/
P.6 Leslie.B & Luisa.G
*we think it is still good idea because then we would be official military.
*We think it is the people can get great ideas from two point of views of how people want to be differently of how they should run the country so everybody can be happy and not disappointed.
~We think it is a good advice because it will make people more civilized and they would be mature.
p.6 misael g. muriel p.
The first point that Washington made is that the United States should trade with other countries,and that the US should not make military agreements with any foreign country since that could pull us into a war that did not affect us directly.I think that it is a bad idea because if you you make treaties than the county might want all the power and they will fight against you for power
The second point that he makes is that if there were political parties, voters would follow who the party said to vote for, rather than being informed and voting for the best candidate.I think that this is a good idea because people would get the chance to vote for there leaders rather thanpeople telling you to vote for.
The last point that he makes is that religion was an important "pillar" for American morals.I think that this a good idea because people would make good decision and not bad.
p2 adrian dlt & adan m
no because what if one of them invent something useful that our military should use.
yes because they keep on arguing and sooner or later a war might happen because of that.
yes because they teach you right from wrong and if we didnt go to church we might have been doing the wrong things and choices in life.
JUAN M. P1 Yes it is because it gave good advice to think about the country instead of political parties . If u make friends withe one country during a war you get 2 new enemies, and there will be less crimes if people go to church. that is why his ideas will still be good advise today
Jackie Martinez, Stephanie Sanchez
Period 2nd.
11/17/09
We believe that washingtons advice on the farewell address is still good advice for the year 2009.The U.S. should avoid foreign military treaties is a good piece of advice because then the military wouldn't be off at wr all the time. Political parties are bad for the country is not a good peice of advice because many go against some political parties. Belonging to a church helps make people better citizens since they know right from wrong is a good piece of advice because there would be more respnsiable people.
Antonio S. Ana R. Period_2
1. Yes, because a country that can pull us into war can't affect us directly.
2. Yes, because it makes the country weaker.
3. Yes, because they teach us from right to wrong and if we didn't go we would of making wrong decisions in life.
P.2/Diana R. & Deana D.
We both belive that Washingon's advice will not work in 2009. Cause people are not very religious in 2009 and people uselly not have foreign allinces now with this bad economy . Usually people like the congress have political parties but usually doesnt work out in the long wong.
Period:1 Veronica Reyes
Yes, i do think that Washington's ideas are good for today because his advice leads us to a good, strong, independent country and also helped us avoid problems. But i do have one disagreement with him, which is the "going to church," thing because many people have different thoughts in religion,and many of those people are very good and respectful people who may have better thoughts of good and wrong ideas, from people that do go to church!
P2 Pablo n. martin z.
i think its still a good idea because if we make friends with another foreign country that country might have enemies a their will be a problem a we will be a part of it. if we have political parties we might have fights an it will tear our country apart. if we go to church then we cant do any thing bad because most of the things that they say in church they say it's a sin so we can be innocent if we go to church.
P.2 Emily O. & ernesto cruz.
I think its still good today because many people still follow those advices.
I think that these are good agreements because these ideas could still be use today.
Some of these agreements are very helpful to people but some people dont care abpout these rules.
I think that I do agree because it is good to go to church because their is going to be more better people.
L.N
first they said that they should trade with other countries and now they say the US should not make military agreements because that would make a war but that did not effect them in any way.they thought that religion was important and if people go to church regularly they would know from right from wrong.
P:2 Gema O. & Gabriel V.
1. Yes it is good advise that they helped us avoid problem's to this day. One of the major points that stopped us from starting a war we weren't even involved in kept us from losing many live. The second point that washington made was to never make political parties that were bad for the country and it prevented problems
ANNABEL G. ANGEL S. PERIOD 2
I beleive that Washingtons ideas were very good nd they willhelp in 2009. I beleive that we shouldnt have any foreighn alliances because then if the people we alliance with have a war with another country there gonna want to attack us for being allianced with that country. I think his idea of not having political parties is bad because some people have diffrent ideas and the political parties have diffrent ideas so we dont all have to think the same.I do beleive that his idea of going to church is good because church helps people do the right or good thing and not the wrongor bad thing.
Ricardo .T Christian .P
1). Yes they should avoid it because if they accept it the United States could be in war with two other countries if, for example: Lets say France wants to be an ally with you and ask for a treaty and germany doesnt like France you will have a new enemy other than the one you have now like Japan so if we woud to accept treaties we would be in more bigger situations and problems.
2). Yes politcal parties are bad because if no party would agree with law for the country they would start to think about themselves too much and because of that the parties will start to be selfish with ther power.
3). Yes it is good because if they go to church often they will understnd what is disresptectful and what is respectful to others and the community.
P2 David S & Daniela O
I think that washington's advice is still good in the united states today. I think this is true because going to church is good but people already no the difrence between good and bad it just makes them uderstand it better and encourages them to make desisions.
Juan C. per 2.
1. Yes Washington suggested that the country should not make any treaties.
2. He warned against having political parties. Washington felt that if there were political parties, voters would follow who the party said to vote for, rather than being informed and voting for the best candidate.
3. Yes when a person goes to church and gets educated they get taught from right thing to do the bad thing.
Juan C. per 2.
1. Yes Washington suggested that the country should not make any treaties.
2. He warned against having political parties. Washington felt that if there were political parties, voters would follow who the party said to vote for, rather than being informed and voting for the best candidate.
3. Yes when a person goes to church and gets educated they get taught from right thing to do the bad thing.
Ashley V. & Bellana O.(Per.2]
-*(#1] No because we need protecton and allies.
-*(#2] Not all political parties are bad bebecause we have diffrent ideas.
P3 Anaid R. Anais O.
The United States should avoid foreign countries because if you become really good friends with them, they might be too dependent on you. It still applies with us today as it did in the 18th century. Political parties are still bad because if they always fight then we will not do what is best for the country. The answer to whether or not going to church helps us tell right from wrong is ambiguous, because not everyone is Christian or Catholic. In the 1700s almost everyone went to church and was Christian.
eric p. hugo s. period 3
the statements that washington gave was good advice for the modern world. the section about religion is not as good because in todays modern world we have people from different races and religions. before mostly every one were christian, now we have buddhist, islamic, atheist and many more. every thing else was good.
Steven Luis && Valeria Bazan Per. 3
- Some of it was good advice because we don't make political parties into a big of a deal. Some of it we don't follow no more because we do make agreements with other countries. Also not everyone has a religion or go to church.
Jorge C. and Joselyn C. Period 3
no because maybe our ideas now are much more different than his.Also because that was the past and we are in the future and things can change bettween time.
Ivan G & Javier C
Mostly every thing is good for the generashion exept for going to chruch for every one. Not having foreigh alliances could be giving us probem taht our country is not ready for. He said that the political parties and that is rith becase it would split the country. But nesesarily having to go to church is as bad as the polical partis it divids the country and now we have to many religions and it would be harm full to the country.
P3 Alisson D and Alan P
The first point of washingtons farewell could be use today because if the half of americans joined iraq those americans could die.The second farewell could be use today becauseif people join political parties the U.S.A could split.The third farewell could be use today because if people go to church it will make them a better persons.
Ofelia R. Perla M. Period 3.
• Washington said do not do military treats becouse they wern't goin to be treated right.
•He didnt like the political parties becouse he said that when you go to political parties you dnt vote on who you want to you vote for who they voted in the political parties not you choise.
•He thought church was good because people would know whats good and bad.And do what they believed.
Sandra C. & Ramiro B Per.3
We, believe that his advice may work during our time we can't trust anybody because they could turn their back on us! The military can't normally trust somebody from the enemies side if they catch and they say "Please don't kill me! I will tell you anything I have children." Political parties are bad for the countries because usually they argue all day. Going to church usually cleans your soul!!!
P-5 Carlos H.-Anthony G.
the advice that Washington gave us in his adress is for us in 2009 because people need to know whats good from right to wrong. Another peice of advice was that treaties would make us start a war ag
Kimberly Alcantar And Joshua Finnel Per.3
The Advice He Gave In 1796 I Think It Wouldnt Work Because The Times Are Different. For Example Like The Rules He Made In 1796 Would Probably Not Make Sense Now Because They Probably Have Different Ideas. I Also Think It Wouldnt Work Because Some Of The Advice He Gave Like "Going To Church Is Good" Not Alot Of People Think Going To Church Is Good So Thats Why I Think That His Advice Might Not Work. Maybe The Advices Are Different Now!
Darlene V. and Carlos M.
period 3
the u.s. SHOULD avoid foreign military treaties because it could lead us to war just by helping others.
Political parties are bad for the country because it divides it.
church was good to know good and wrong and know how to make good decisions for your country/family.
Hector F. Eric l. per.3
We think that its kinda true because political parties are sorta good because you can have many opinions.
Having military treating with other countries is bad still today because you can see today that having an afair with Colombia is affecting the U.S. because Colombia is going to fight Venezuela in a war and Venezuela is thinking that the u.s wants to help Colombia with weapons.
About going to church we think that i good because you hear what there saying, and you can take some from there to your life,and using it in a good way.
i believe that washington's advice in the farewell address is good advice for the united states in 2009,because one of the major points is political parties are bad for the country i think that its important because if there are parties so the voters well vote yes were the parties are and they be informed about the person there elceting.
#1 NO FOREIGN alliance
#2
p3 stephanie o. vanesa e.
- Wshingtn's first poin was that the u.s. could with countries aslong as there is no agreements or alliances in bewtween
per.3 Veronica L. And Vanessa B.
I thik that yes it still works because his advices still work and they seem good enough to keep on helping us in the future. And also our presedents and leaders stil follow them.
I enjoyed reading so many great comments. The world of 1796 that George Washington inhabited was a very different place than our world of 2009. I don't think that it would be possible for the US to avoid having military alliances today. In Washington's time, it took weeks to travel across the Atlantic Ocean. It took the 9/11 terrorists minutes to attack our country in our time. While it might be a good idea to get rid of political parties, and Washington was probably right about political parties thinking of themselves first and the country second, I don't think that it's possible to change now. As for religion being a "pillar of public morality," I think that you can learn right and wrong at church, or in home, or by reading good books, or all of those. The important thing is to know right from wrong and take actions that actually show that you know.
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