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A Rhetorical Analysis Of George Washington's Farewell Address

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In his Farewell Address, George Washington expresses his gratitude for his executive position as president for the two terms he has served. He graciously declined the offer to run for a third term. In doing so, he gives credit to his friends and fellow citizens for their support and contribution to the success of a new country that has been created. He expresses his concerns and what he believes will help it prosper in, contrast to its potential disintegration. He discusses that strong unity amongst each state is essential to preserving the country's peace, safety, prosperity and liberty. He believes it is essential that all citizens recognize each other as Americans, and put aside differences in religion, social background and political principles. …show more content…
Washington had maintained a strategic distance from American involvement in the dispute issuing the Proclamation of Neutrality (which declares the nation neutral in the conflict between France and Great Britain) during the French Revolutionary war. This prompted the Neutrality Act of 1794 (which makes it illegal for an American to wage war against any country at peace with the United States). He then tries to further disclose his way to deal with foreign policy in this segment of the address by advocating for free trade with all nations, arguing that trade connections ought to be set up uniformly and the government’s rule ought to be constrained to safeguard stable trade, guarding the privileges of American merchants, and any supplies necessary to guarantee the conventional guidelines of trade (Farewell Address) (Various).
Washington closes his letter to the American citizens by requesting them to forgive any disappointments during his time in office, guaranteeing them that they were because of his own shortcomings and in no way, shape or form intentional. He shares his enthusiasm about joining society as a private citizen in the free government they have made together throughout his 45 years of public service (Farewell Address) (Elkins and McKitrick, et

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