Use the excerpt below to answer the question that follows:
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
Based on evidence from your text, why did Washington reject the advice of both Jefferson and Hamilton and adopt a policy of neutrality?
(1 point)
Responses
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.
The nation could not afford another war so soon after the Revolution.
The nation could not afford another war so soon after the Revolution.
Washington feared that war would divide the nation.
1 answer
The most supported response based on the excerpt is: The nation could not afford another war so soon after the Revolution.
The text implies that Washington was cautious about engaging the nation in conflict while it was still becoming stronger and that his decision for a neutral course was influenced by the need for the United States to grow more robust before entering into foreign disputes. This reasoning suggests an awareness of the nation's vulnerabilities and the consequences of war.
