How Did George Washington's Farewell Address

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Washington’s Farewell Address was presented during George Washington’s second term as president as his final message to the nation. Washington discussed many issues in his farewell address but focused mainly on foreign policy, and in the end, stated that it was in America’s best interest to avoid permanent alliances and foreign conflict. The United States did not take the advice of their first president by making alliances in Samoa and becoming involved in foreign affairs in the Americas, causing the United States to become involved in unnecessary conflict with other nations. However, the US did adhere to Washington’s advice when choosing to reject the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles should not have been ratified by the United States, because it would have brought America into international conflict, thus weakening the power of the government, and it did not include much of what America wanted in the treaty. The Treaty of Versailles would have forced American into international affairs through the League of Nations, causing the power of the US government to weaken. Article 10 of the League of Nation’s charter …show more content…
President Wilson believed that the League of Nations and collective security were the key to solving and avoiding future international conflict. However, collective security would only put an obligation on the United States to interfere in international conflict that could easily be solved without American interference. Supporters of the Treaty of Versailles also argue that as a major world power, the United States should take its place in the international community by joining the League of Nations. However, these internationalists focused more on relying on the League to keep the peace, rather than putting thought into the possibility that the League could pull the United States into