Address

• In 1796, George Washington decided that he no longer wanted to be President. He was aging, tired, and wanted to set the precedent that no one should be ruler for life.

• As he said his "goodbye" he wished to address three controversies that were strongly debated at the time:

1) Should the United States embrace political parties?

2) Which side should the United States take in the war between England and France?

3) What should be the place of religion in United States politics?

Decision: If you were Washington in 1796, preparing your Farewell Address, what position would you take on these three controversies?

Click here to find out what Washington said.