Question

In George Washington's Farewell Address, he warned against forming permanent alliances with foreign nations. Why do you believe he thought this was necessary for America to be successful?

a) To ensure military superiority
b) To promote economic isolationism
c) To avoid entanglement in foreign conflicts
d) To secure access to foreign resources

Answer 1

George Washington warned against forming permanent alliances in his Farewell Address to prevent the young United States from becoming c) entangled in European conflicts, maintaining national unity, and fostering an isolationist stance in foreign policy dedicated to peace and trade over political commitments.

Step-by-step explanation:

In George Washington's Farewell Address, he warned against forming permanent alliances with foreign nations for several reasons, with the primary one being to avoid entanglement in foreign conflicts (c). Washington's philosophy was to maintain friendly trade relations without getting implicated in political alliances, which could bring unnecessary involvement in Europe's constant wars.

At the time, the United States was a young nation which had recently emerged from the Revolutionary War, and Washington and other founders like Thomas Jefferson saw the importance of isolationism for the peaceful growth and economic development of the country.

Their foreign policy stance cherished sovereignty and self-determination, while striving to cultivate peace and harmony with all nations. Yet, history shows that by the post-World War II era, global conditions forced a shift from isolation to active engagement in world affairs.