WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS

Increased political battles between Federalists and Republicans convinced George Washington not to stand for a third term as president. In his Farewell Address, Washington spoke against party politics, asking political leaders to work together and not against each other. He also warned America not to “interweave our destiny with any part of Europe” and stated that America should not enter into alliances that would cause them to get involved in foreign wars. Political leaders for the next 200 years would invoke the words of Washington when opposing American plans to ally with foreign nations.