Question

Use the excerpt to answer the question.

What did Washington mean when he wrote that the maxim "honesty is the
best policy" should be applied to foreign relations?
(1 point)
The United States should have announced that it was cutting off relations
with other nations.
The United States should have terminated its formal relationships with
European nations.
There was no need to be coy about U.S. intentions to avoid permanent
alliances in the future.
The president should privately reassure foreign leaders that America stands
with them but publicly maintain a separation from other nations' policies.
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Answer 1

George Washington believed that the United States should maintain a separate public policy while privately reassuring foreign leaders of support.

Step-by-step explanation:

When George Washington wrote that the maxim 'honesty is the best policy' should be applied to foreign relations, he meant that the United States should publicly maintain a separation from other nations' policies, even though privately, the president should reassure foreign leaders that America stands with them. In other words, Washington believed in maintaining friendly relations with other nations but avoiding permanent alliances and remaining neutral in their conflicts.

Learn more about George Washington's perspective on foreign relations