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Difficulty: EasyPolitics, Hamilton's Plan, and Foreign Policy in the New Republic

“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.”

—George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796

Which of the following actions taken by the Washington administration was most consistent with the recommendation in the excerpt?

  1. A
    Forming a permanent mutual defense pact with revolutionary France
  2. Issuing a proclamation of neutrality in the war between Britain and FranceAnswer
  3. C
    Enacting a national bank to fund military alliances in Europe
  4. D
    Restoring the power of individual states to negotiate separate treaties as under the Articles of Confederation

Answer

Issuing a proclamation of neutrality in the war between Britain and France
The correct answer is correct because President George Washington's issuance of the Proclamation of Neutrality in 1793 was the defining policy action that sought to avoid taking sides in European wars, directly aligning with his advice in the Farewell Address to steer clear of foreign political connections.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the provided historical excerpt to identify the author's primary foreign policy recommendation.
President George Washington advises the United States to limit political connections with European nations and avoid permanent foreign alliances.
This establishes the criteria for evaluating the actions of the Washington administration.
2
Evaluate the historical actions of the Washington administration to find the policy that aligns with avoiding foreign political entanglements.
The Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793 declared the nation neutral in the conflict between Great Britain and France, refusing to take a political side or enter the conflict.
This is the primary historical action that directly implements Washington's stated policy of avoiding political connection with European controversies.

Key Concept

Washington's Neutrality Policy and Farewell Address
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Politics, Hamilton's Plan, and Foreign Policy in the New Republic

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