Washington's Farewell: What He Meant and What It Says for Today

This is a lecture and discussion course using a slide show and 2 short video selections. No advanced preparation is necessary. The slides will be given to students at the end of class to encourage further study. The content is as follows:
1. Annual Reading in the Senate and "One Last Time" from Hamilton: The address is read annually in the Senate on Washington's birthday, alternating parties each year. It is now dramatized in a popular number from the musical Hamilton. (Brief videos of each example will be shown.)
2. Tradition for other presidents: Farewells of Andrew Jackson and Dwight Eisenhower stand out for causing much national discussion. (American Presidency Project)
3. Why and how was it written: It began with a farewell when he gave up army command and grew around similar themes based on experiences in two terms as president. He called on Hamilton, Madison, and Jay  (also Federalist Papers authors) for suggestions, editing, and review--but the final product was clearly his own.
4. Important points: a) Setting a peaceful transition example--willingly stepping aside to promote tradition of regular and peaceful transition of the office; b) Political and geographical divisions vs. unity--already sectional divisions were behind internal divisions and factions--and he saw the development of parties as undermining overall patriotism to the union;  c) Wars and foreign interference--he opposed making military alliances with European powers because they would drag us into European wars--led to a tradition of neutrality and "isolation"--also concerned about growing influence of European powers among political leaders in US as leading to active foreign interference in our government; and d) Education and patriotism--the keys to national longevity were seen as an educated public making responsible choices and above all remaining more loyal to the union than to states of other causes.   
5. Tradition of moderation between left and right: Washington was pulled between Federalist central powers urged by Hamilton and state powers urged by Jefferson--most often sided with Hamilton in establishing national traditions but advocated a course of centrism, or moderation rather than overtly siding with one side or the other.