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He believed that a two-party system would tear the nation apart from within.

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1y ago
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14y ago

Here are direct quotes from George Washington in his farewell address. Source: The Independent Chronicle, September 26, 1796

19 Towards the preservation of your government, and the permanency of your present happy state, it is requisite, not only that you steadily discountenance irregular oppositions to its acknowledged authority, but also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles, however specious the pretexts. One method of assault may be to effect, in the forms of the constitution, alterations, which will impair the energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown. In all the changes to which you may be invited, remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of governments, as of other human institutions; that experience is the surest standard, by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a country; that facility in changes, upon the credit of mere hypothesis and opinion, exposes to perpetual change, from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion; and remember, especially, that, for the efficient management of our common interests, in a country so extensive as ours, a government of as much vigor as is consistent with the perfect security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty itself will find in such a government, with powers properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian. It is, indeed, little else than a name, where the government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine each member of the society within the limits prescribed by the laws, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person and property.

20 I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discrimination's. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally.

21 This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.

22 The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.

23 Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight,) the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.

24 It serves always to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.

25 There is an opinion, that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the Government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of Liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in Governments of a Monarchical cast, Patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in Governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And, there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.

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8y ago

He believed that a two-party system would tear the nation apart from within.

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11y ago

He felt the two party system would divide the nation and make one party have domination of the other.

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9y ago

Washington distrusted the two party system because it limits the number of political options.

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12y ago

i dont care really

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Q: Why did Washington distrust political factions or parties?
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Related questions

Why did George Washington earlier warn the country about the political parties and factions?

Because he new this coutnry would goto the dumps


Is the political parties mentioned in the us constitution in most of the articles?

No. Political parties are not even mentioned in the Constitution. In fact, the first President, George Washington, warned against factions and parties as being injurious to the nation.


Why did many of the nation's leaders dislike political parties?

No one was as hostile to factions than George Washington.


What did Washington said in Farewell Address?

His open letter to the US people warned against political factions or parties and foreign alliances.


What factions formed political parties?

Karl Marx


How did different opinions lead to the first political parties?

At that time, many Americans thought political parties were harmful to good government. The Constitution made no mention of parties because its authors saw no good use for them. Washington disapproved of political parties, or "factions" as they were known. He warned that they would divide the nation.


Political parties are themselves interest groups or factions?

absolutely !


What did George Washington warn the political parties could cause?

To paraphrase him he said that political parties would take over and the interests of the people would be forgotten. If you look at our politics today I think he has been proven right. The dominance of the political parties has replaced the concern for the " common good". He also warned about professional politicians. This is another thing that has developed that he was right about. We have people who are in office for 20+ years and who seem to have lost touch with the people who elect them. He felt a man should do his civic duty and go home.


Was Washington a Republican or a democrat?

Neither of those political parties had been invented yet. Washington abhorred "factions" in politics, and tried to avoid them, probably his only utter failure in his life.


Did Thomas Jefferson and George Washington had opposing political views that led to the creation of two political parties.?

No. Washington didn’t believe in political parties and there weren’t political parties in 1789.


American leaders wanted to keep factions from forming but differing views between two of Washington's chief advisors Hamilton and Jefferson discouraged the growth of political parties.?

No. If anything, differing views between Hamilton's and Jefferson's supporters encouraged the growth of political parties.


Why did many Americans distrust political parties?

The ruining economy, foreclosures, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq made many Americans apathetic about their own government. Some believed the Republicans and the Democrats are just the same old thing.