The idea of patriotism has changed over time in America. Not that people weren't always jazzed about the United States—otherwise the American Revolution wouldn't have happened—but the format of that patriotism wasn't quite the same when Washington was president.
People who had been colonists were especially tied to their state, and a lot of people weren't so sure about the idea of a centralized federal government. So, Washington injects his farewell address with language emphasizing what he and his audience owe to the nation as a whole. It's a way for Washington to promote his ideas of federalism while tugging on people's heartstrings.
Questions About Patriotism
- How had the idea of patriotism developed or changed from the days of British rule to the time of Washington's farewell address?
- Why would the theme of patriotism be important for a farewell address like Washington's? What might he be trying to accomplish?
- How is Washington's vision of patriotism similar or different to how Americans view patriotism today?
- What events during Washington's presidency might have motivated him to make patriotism a theme in his farewell address?
Chew on This
America's sense of patriotism was largely built on U.S. citizens banding together against a common enemy, particularly encroaching European countries.
Washington's career, especially serving as president when he didn't want to, shows that he was probably way more patriotic than anyone reading his farewell address.