Farewell Address

E3246

The Farewell Address is George Washington’s famous 1796 message to the American people in which he announced his decision not to seek a third term and warned against political parties and foreign entanglements.

Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form As subject As object
Washington's Farewell Address 0 1

Statements (46)

Predicate Object
instanceOf historical document
political speech
presidential address
addressee American people
citizens of the United States
associatedWith presidential term limits as a norm
tradition of presidents delivering farewell messages
author George Washington
country United States of America
date 1796
documentType public address
form open letter
genre political philosophy
state paper
historicalPeriod Early Republic era of the United States
influenced American foreign policy traditions
debates on political parties in the United States
non-interventionist tendencies in U.S. foreign policy
influencedBy European great-power rivalries
George Washington's experiences in the American Revolutionary War
emergence of political parties in the United States
language English
legacy considered a foundational statement of American political principles
frequently cited in American political discourse
studied in U.S. history and civics education
location Philadelphia
medium written message
mentionedPerson George Washington
politicalContext early party conflict between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans
end of George Washington's second presidential term
politicalPosition opposition to permanent alliances
skepticism toward organized political parties
support for a strong but limited federal government
support for neutrality in European conflicts
purpose announce decision not to seek a third presidential term
offer political advice to the American people
significance marked the peaceful transfer of presidential power in the United States
theme dangers of sectionalism
fiscal responsibility
importance of national unity
importance of religion and morality for public life
importance of the Constitution
warning against excessive political partisanship
warning against foreign entanglements
warning against permanent foreign alliances
warning against political parties

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

George hasPart Farewell Address
subject surface form: George Washington
Washington administration includedEvent Farewell Address
this entity surface form: Washington's Farewell Address
George Washington notableWork Farewell Address