George Washington Left Them In Tears Analysis

Improved Essays
The Speech that Left Them in Tears The Revolutionary War came to an end and George Washington had the chance to rise up to power over the new nation. A contemplation was arising of whether he would do so as numerous people wanted him to follow in the footsteps of other former world leaders. George Washington declined the offer knowing his acceptance would alter the beginning of the new nation.
In front of congress, George Washington gave the resignation speech in which he expressed how hard it was for him to step down from his position. He had such an outstanding love for his country, and through his speech he informed congress that it was the best move going forward. He wanted to acknowledge the great triumphs of all of his fellow servicemen as well as explain that it was time for him to retire from his former life and go spend more time with his family. George Washington uses analogy in his speech by comparing his role as president in the government to a theater of action. This comparison was used by George Washington so he could describe what the feeling of being president for him. The analogy explains to the listeners that being president is constantly demanding and requires one to be on their toes at all times. No room for mistakes is allowed. Another rhetorical
…show more content…
This was the logos appeal of the speech as well as the pathos as everyone in congress had a plethora of respect for George Washington and what ever decision he made was one they would stand behind him. The speech presented the pathos in an extremely emotional way. The sadness in the room was unreal as the speech heavily leaned toward the pathos appeal in the speech. George Washington was moving on in his life and it hit everyone hard from the fact that the nation’s first leader was stepping

Related Documents

  • Great Essays

    “George Washington: From his Farewell Address,” Crossroad (1796). November 12, 2015. http://www.crossroad.to/text/articles/WashingtonFarewell.html. -------------------------------------------- [ 1 ].…

    • 1432 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    In 1787 the constitutional convention was addressed to revise the article of confederation, Washington was elected as a presiding officer.-2 after a long disputed event, the convention agreed on a new constitution in which Washington and his fellow delegates signed on sept 17, 1787. -2 after the ratification of the new constitution, the electoral college unanimously elected George Washington as the first president of the united states. After a journey from Mount Vernon to New York city where was met by crowds of cheering americans, Washington took the oath of office in 1789. -5 During his first term, congressed passed a bill of rights and the states ratified the constitution. To inspire a spirit of national unity and confidence in the federal government, Washington took a tour through the northern states in late 1789 and the southern sates in 1791.-5 Throughout his presidency Washington sought advise from his appointed cabinet members in managing the nations interests.…

    • 386 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Great Essays

    Founding Brothers Summary

    • 1147 Words
    • 5 Pages

    George Washington retirement gave the citizens of 1790s a serious threat. He was described as “The Father of the Country” since 1776 which is to say, before there was even a country. ”(Ellis, 120) Washington voluntarily stepping down from office shows and reaffirmed the nation’s unique position by refusing to act as monarch and that it suggests that every President was replaceable. However, in the Farewell Address, he thrusts for national unity and independence from Europe. Ellis highlights three main factors: first Washington reputation rested not on his ability to wield power, but on his ability to surrender it; second during war the number of victorious does not matter but the ground one maintained, same strategy use in his politics that in order to survive, the country needed time more than easy victory and success; third in order to sustain national unity, the United States needed to stay out of foreign affairs.…

    • 1147 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Author Mark Twain stated, “Loyalty to the Nation all the time, loyalty to government when it deserves it”. In his farewell address, George Washington expressed the importance of putting America above any local or foreign identity. We disagree with Washington's absolute take on patriotism as this may create a populous which blindly adopts the decree of an unjust government. A big concern during the time of Washington’s farewell address was the fear of Americans identifying more closely with their states than with the national government.…

    • 709 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The audience was the Congress since the speech was given to the congress directly. The message was what the President Kennedy said in the speech, which was that America was aiming a brand new goal that was landing on the moon. To make the speech more effective, ethos and pathos were using as rhetorical appeals in this speech. Ethos was usually about building credibility to the audience. In this case, the credibility was been building by trustworthy person who was the President of America.…

    • 757 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Leadership A leader guides a group of people to achieve a goal. The three authors take different positions on how a leader should be guiding people; all three end with different and unique outcomes. Homer, the author of “The Odyssey”, exhibits Odysseus as a real life leader because he has strengths and weaknesses. Although Odysseus does attempt to do some things correct, he does not display how a leader should behave.…

    • 1657 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Lyndon B. Johnson once said this quote, “The presidency has made every man who occupied it, no matter how small, bigger than he was; and no matter how big, not big enough for its demands.” This quote really described what the presidency was like to the men who have occupied the position. The first part of this quote explained how the presidency has made those who have occupied it step up to tasks that they never thought they would have to handle. Tasks much bigger than themselves. The second part of this quote explained how the presidency is a big position but not big enough for the men who occupy it.…

    • 2753 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    George Washington was elected the first President of the United States in 1787. Washington believed that the main goal of his presidency should be to establish precedents that could guide the fledgeling country to greatness. Throughout his term he sought to promote fairness and integrity. In matters of foreign affairs Washington supported polite relationships with other countries, but favored a neutral position in conflicts abroad. Washington nominated John Jay as the first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.…

    • 925 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In order for him to effectively communicate his discernment for foreign affairs, Washington uses both logos and pathos. In his “Farewell Address,” he states that “Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent Alliances, with any portion of the foreign world,” meaning that it is our responsibility to not fully invest our time with other countries. Due to his first-hand experience toward this matter, he can logically provide facts that will effectively support him. Alongside his use of logos, he also uses pathos to influence the American people through fear. For example, Washington threatens the audience by reminding them of their times with Britain.…

    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    General Washington Duty

    • 2016 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Although the war was won and we achieved independence in 1776, most are not aware of the internal struggle within the ranks of our army. Also, the armed force set in place to protect and prevent danger from occurring in our newly formed 13 colonies was led by General Washington, who had no experience in fighting a experienced professional army such as the British army. General Washington also had the constant struggle of loyal fighters. How are we supposed to fight a war when our fellow countrymen do not wish to fight a war that they believe is senseless and do no good? They were not “regularity and discipline” as described to Washington.…

    • 2016 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Battle of Bunker Hill The battle of Bunker Hill took place on june 17 1775, in Charlestown, Massachusetts. It was the second engagement between British troops and the 13 colonies. The cause of the battle was because there was a conflict between british troops and the 13 colonies. It was learned that the British were planning to send troops from Boston to invade the hills surrounding the city.…

    • 1536 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Jacob Miller War

    • 1374 Words
    • 5 Pages

    American Revolutionary War Jacob Miller At 22 years of age, Jacob Miller took up arms in the fight for independence. Jacob enlisted in July of 1775 in Northampton County, in the State of Pennsylvania. It was there, that he joined the 1st Pennsylvanian Regiment and served in a company commanded by Captain Charles Craig. Jacob served with this company for one year, after which he was regularly discharged.…

    • 1374 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Thankfully, his farewell address left Americans with some advice on how to manage in his absence, even going so far as to set some boundaries just in case. “I...warn you...against the baneful effects of political parties.” (Doc. 5) He wrote, clearly fearful of what would happen if the American people split in such a way. Washington even continued on to say that “we must steer clear of permanent alliances,” (Doc. 5) knowing that such an alliance would mean the U.S. would need to partake in any war said allies would join.…

    • 702 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Obama’s Farewell Address, was his final speech as President. Obama’s purpose of his Farewell Address was a way for him to say goodbye and to thank the American citizens but to also remind the citizens about all the improvements he made and how it should be continued. In order, to get his message across to the American citizens he used two of Aristotle’s modes of persuasion such as, pathos and logos. Obama used the genre pathos to invoke emotions from the audience in order for them to feel apart of the speech and he used logos to remind the citizens of his improvements and persuade them to continue his changes without his Presidency.…

    • 855 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This point is further reiterated when Washington uses sentences such as “I anticipate with pleasing expectation that retreat in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow-citizens…” and “...the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.” to end his speech. Using words like “fellow-citizens” and “mutual cares” represents how he stepped down to join his citizens. This is an important detail because unity is what pulls people together despite their differences. After doing everything that he could in order to unify the nation, he…

    • 1233 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays