Question

Use the excerpt to answer
the question.
What did Washington
mean when he wrote that
the maxim “honesty is the
best policy” should be
applied to foreign
relations?
(1 point)
The United States
should have
announced that it
was cutting off
relations with
other nations.
The United States
should have
terminated its
formal
relationships with
European nations.
There was no
need to be coy
about U.S.
intentions to avoid
permanent
alliances in the
future.
The president
should privately
reassure foreign
leaders that
America stands
with them but
publicly maintain
a separation from
other nations’
policies.

Answer 1

Washington meant that there was no need to be coy about U.S. intentions to avoid permanent alliances in the future. He believed that honesty and transparency in foreign relations would foster trust and clarity, allowing the United States to navigate its diplomatic relationships without misleading other nations.