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 upset over the murder of the French king.
Washington was upset over the murder of the French king.
Washington feared that war would divide the nation.
Washington feared that war would divide the nation.
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 was timid about taking military action.
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Based on the excerpt, Washington rejected the advice of both Jefferson and Hamilton and adopted a policy of neutrality because he feared that war would divide the nation. The text indicates that Washington insisted upon a neutral course until the United States could grow stronger, implying his concern for national unity and stability. Therefore, the correct response is:
Washington feared that war would divide the nation.
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