Final answer:
According to Washington, America can prosper as a peaceful nation through diplomatic effort, underscoring the need for economic growth and maintaining a balanced military presence as part of a wider strategy for lasting peace.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Washington, America can prosper as a peaceful nation moving forward through diplomatic effort. In Washington's vision for the nation, he emphasized the importance of fostering friendly trade relations while cautioning against political alliances that could entangle the United States in foreign conflicts. Economic growth was also seen as a critical element for prosperity, allowing the nation to wield influence without overly relying on military strength. Maintaining a moderate military presence was recognized as necessary for safeguarding the nation, yet it was not the sole factor on which to build lasting peace. Washington and later figures like Marshall understood that economic prosperity was interlinked with foreign policy, and that diplomacy, economic collaboration, and a balance of power were key in achieving enduring peace.