From Washington to Obama

1. From Washington to Obama Daily Questions - With your partner, answer the following questions: • In our current society, how unified is the United States? • How prevalent are political parties in our government? Is this good or bad? • Describe the United States’ relationship to the rest of the world. Are we isolated, or are we interactive with the world?

2. Where Do We Stand? Unity No unity or cooperation Sometimes we disagree, but we still get along We are very unified Political Partisanship There should be no political parties Political parties aren’t bad as long as it does not interfere with our lives and liberties. We are/should be very loyal to our political party Foreign Interaction We want some allies and friends in the world, but we don’t always need/want them Isolationism and little foreign interaction Global Community

3. George Washington’s Farewell Address: Unity • “The unity of Government, which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you.” • “But as it is easy to foresee, that, from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices [deceptions] employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth…” • “With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings, and successes.” • George Washington’s Message • The United States in now a single unified nation • There are people, nations, and groups that may try to destroy our unity • Washington says there are only slight differences among us, and have faced good and bad times together

4. George Washington’s Farewell Address: Political Parties • “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 [a Democracy], it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.” • “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…” • “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…” • George Washington’s Message • Political parties always have existed, but they are most popular, and most destructive in a Democracy • When one party is more powerful than the other party, and tensions rise, horrible violence can occur • In order to gain security from their political opponents, people often turn to dictators

5. George Washington’s Farewell Address: Foreign Affairs • “Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.” • “The Nation, which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest.” • “Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns.” • George Washington’s Message • We must be kind to all nations. • We must not hold permanent enemies or permanent alliances, because both will cause us to lose direction of our own interests • Do not get involved in the politics of Europe, because it does not concern us.

6. Barack Obama’s Acceptance Speech: Unity • “In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people.” • “But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.” • “As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, ‘we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.’” • “And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.” • Obama’s Message • The United States in one nation, and we are in it together • Keep an open mind, and build the nation together • Despite our differences we are still countrymen • Obama will try to work with those who did not vote for him, and needs their help

7. Barack Obama’s Acceptance Speech: Political Parties • Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. • Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity. • And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. • Barack Obama’s Message • The nation should try not to focus on party loyalties, because they are bad for the nation • A Republican (Abraham Lincoln) was a founder of powerful ideals • The Democratic Party won a victory, but should not gloat, because it must help heal a divided nation

8. Barack Obama’s Acceptance Speech: Foreign Affairs • “Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.” • “And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.” • “There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.” • Barack Obama’s Message • We are fighting two wars; one in Iraq, and the other in Afghanistan • People all over the world, from all walks of life are watching or listening • Obama mentions we have many things to do, one of which is repair our alliances