Question

The late events in Spain and Portugal show that Europe is still unsettied. Of this important fact no stronge proof can be adduced than that the allied powers should have thought it proper, on any principle satisfactory to themselves, to have interposed by force in the internal concerns of Spain. To what extent such interposition may be carried, on the same principle, is a question in which all independent powers whose governments differ from theirs are interested, even those most remote, and surely none of them more so than the United States. Our policy in regard to Europe, which was adopted at an early stage of the wars which have so long agitated that quarter of the globe, nevertheless remains the same, which is, not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of its powers; to consider the government de facto as the legitimate government for us; to cultivate friendly relations with it, and to preserve those relations by a frank, firm, and manly policy, meeting in all instances the just claims of every power, submitting to injuries from none. But in regard to those continents circumstances are eminently and conspicuously different. (Paragraph 3)

Passage 2:
The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities. (Paragraph 5)

Which statement best describes Washington's view on American treaties w
© Washington supports treaties provided the United States is not involved.
O Washington supports treaties and encourages them with other nations.
• Washington disapproves of treaties and finds them to benefit only one party.
• Washington disapproves of treaties because they divide a nation.

Answer 1

According to the passage, the statement that best describes Washington's view on American treaties is:

"Washington supports treaties provided the United States is not involved."

In the second passage, Washington emphasizes the importance of limiting political connections with foreign nations and not becoming involved in their controversies. However, he also acknowledges the value of fulfilling existing engagements with other countries with "perfect good faith." Therefore, it can be inferred that Washington supports treaties with other nations, but only if they do not involve the United States in the "ordinary vicissitudes of her politics" and do not implicate the nation in foreign concerns.

Step-by-step explanation: