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2 votes
C

What did Washington think would happen if political
parties were established?
Read this passage from the farewell address George
Washington wrote at the end of his presidency.
The alternate domination of one faction over another,
sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party
dissension, which in different ages and countries has
perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a
frightful despotism.
-Farewell address,
George Washington,
1796
O Little work would be accomplished and stagnation
would result.
O Party leaders would act out of self-interest and
personal gain.
O Different groups would have representation in
government.
O Fights and disagreements would be less likely to
occur.

User Robgraves
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2 Answers

4 votes

Final answer:

Washington worried that political parties would destabilize national unity and result in factional dominance. His Farewell Address warned of the perils of partisanship. Nevertheless, divergent views on policies led to the development of the Federalist and Republican parties, culminating in the nation's first partisan election.

Step-by-step explanation:

George Washington was apprehensive about the formation of political parties, fearing that they would lead to partisan rancor and threaten national unity. In his Farewell Address, he cautioned that parties might lead to the "alternate domination of one faction over another," which could result in a cycle of revenge and potentially dire consequences for the country. Despite his efforts to avoid such divisions, by the end of his first term, domestic and foreign policy issues had split political leaders into the Federalists, who favored a strong central government, and the Republicans, who advocated for limited central authority. The emergence of partisan politics was a response to these diverging viewpoints, and the first partisan presidential election occurred in 1796.

User Errata
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7 votes
I think it’s B but I’m not sure. It might be A
User Anga
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