Washington longed to retire to his field 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 he knew constitution was ratified, the electoral college unanimously elected Washington president.

Question

Washington longed to retire to his field 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 he knew 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, in England, Washington refused to excepts entirely the recommendations of either his secretary of state, Thomas Jefferson, who has pro French, or his secretary of the treasury, Alexandra Hamilton, who has 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?

a. Washington was upset over the murder of the French king.
b. The nation could not afford another war so soon after the revolution.
c. Washington feared he will lose reelection.
d. Washington did not want to damage his alliance with Spain.

Answer 1

b. The nation could not afford another war so soon after the revolution.

Answer 2

Based on the evidence from the text, the reason why Washington rejected the advice of both Jefferson and Hamilton and adopted a policy of neutrality was because he believed that the United States needed time to grow stronger before involving itself in another major war, such as the one between France and England. Therefore, option b. The nation could not afford another war so soon after the revolution, best aligns with the given information.

Answer 3

Based on the evidence from the text, Washington rejected the advice of both Jefferson and Hamilton and adopted a policy of neutrality because the nation could not afford another war so soon after the revolution. This is mentioned in the statement, "Rather, he insisted upon a neutral course until the United States could grow stronger." The text suggests that Washington saw the need for the country to focus on its own development and avoid entangling itself in foreign conflicts.