From Whitehouse.gov

Question

Washington longed to retire to his fields at Mount Vernon. But he soon realized that the Nation under its Articles of Confederation was not functioning well, so he became a prime mover in the steps leading to the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. When the new Constitution was ratified, the Electoral College unanimously elected Washington President.



He did not infringe upon the policy making powers that he felt the Constitution gave Congress. But the determination of foreign policy became preponderantly a Presidential concern. When the French Revolution led to a major war between France and England, Washington refused to accept entirely the recommendations of either his Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, who was pro-French, or his Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, who was pro-British. Rather, he insisted upon a neutral course until the United States could grow stronger. —WhiteHouse.gov
Use the passage above to answer the question. You may use the check answer button two times.

Select the quote from the text that best explains why Washington chose to be neutral in the conflict between the French and the British.

(1 point)
Responses

"Washington longed to retire to his fields at Mount Vernon."
"Washington longed to retire to his fields at Mount Vernon."

"He did not infringe upon the policy making powers that he felt the Constitution gave Congress."
"He did not infringe upon the policy making powers that he felt the Constitution gave Congress."

"But the determination of foreign policy became preponderantly a Presidential concern."
"But the determination of foreign policy became preponderantly a Presidential concern."

"Rather, he [Washington] insisted upon a neutral course until the United States could grow stronger."
"Rather, he [Washington] insisted upon a neutral course until the United States could grow stronger."
Use the excerpt to answer the question.

Based on the evidence from the text, why did Washington reject the advice of both Jefferson and Hamilton and adopt a policy of neutrality?

(1 point)
Responses

Washington feared that choosing France's side in the war would insult the British.
Washington feared that choosing France's side in the war would insult the British.

Washington was timid about taking military action.
Washington was timid about taking military action.

Washington was upset over the murder of the French king.
Washington was upset over the murder of the French king.

Washington felt that the nation could not afford another war so soon after the Revolution.

Answer 1

For the first question, the quote that best explains why Washington chose to be neutral in the conflict between the French and the British is:

"Rather, he [Washington] insisted upon a neutral course until the United States could grow stronger."

For the second question, based on the evidence from the text, the reason why Washington rejected the advice of both Jefferson and Hamilton and adopted a policy of neutrality is:

Washington felt that the nation could not afford another war so soon after the Revolution.