Final answer:
George Washington's Farewell Address focused on promoting national unity, denouncing partisanship, and advising caution in foreign alliances, influenced by partisan divisions of his time.
Step-by-step explanation:
George Washington's decision to not seek a third term as president and the subsequent Farewell Address he issued to the American people in 1796 stemmed from his observation of increasingly bitter partisan rancor. In his farewell, he touched upon three major themes: the importance of maintaining national unity, warning against the dangers of partisanship, and advising against forming permanent alliances with foreign nations. His choice to step down voluntarily was also a strategic move to counteract accusations from Republicans who believed the Federalists, including Washington, harbored monarchical tendencies. Washington, with input from prominent figures like James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, crafted an address that served as a blueprint for America's future political conduct and emphasized the need for the nation to prioritize collective well-being over sectional interests and ideological divides.